136: Maximizing Volunteer Engagement as a Nonprofit Leader (Lauren Kaufman)

SUMMARY

Are you utilizing the full abilities of your best volunteers?  As the leader of an all-volunteer organization that has seen a 40% growth in the past six months, Lauren Kaufman discusses strategic actions to attract, activate, grow, and retain diverse young professional volunteer talent. Connecting the individual volunteer’s skills and experiences with specific organizational roles and committee opportunities strengthens not only the individual’s resume, but the relationship they have with the organization as a whole.  In episode #136 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, you’ll hear tips every nonprofit leader can implement to improve their volunteer experience.  Lauren also discusses the value of building alliances, one of Patton’s Five Keys to a successful nonprofit, with like-minded similar organizations, as well as organizational skills from which every nonprofit leader can learn.

ABOUT LAUREN

By day, Lauren works at Dimensional Fund Advisors where she provides the tools financial advisors need to strategically manage and grow their business. She also oversees Dimensional’s global philanthropic program. By night (and weekends), she is president of the Young Women’s Alliance, an Austin non-profit dedicated to empowering the next generation of women leaders. As president, Lauren oversees 500 members, 16 Board of Directors, and 80+ chair positions. As an entirely volunteer run organization, Lauren ensures that YWA is meeting and exceeding all parts of its mission by developing KPI’s, strategically planning for the future of the organization and ensuring that YWA continues to be an organization that connects and supports women in Austin. Through Lauren’s leadership, YWA remains committed to being a diverse and inclusive organization where women in Austin feel welcomed and empowered. Most recently, Lauren added an additional role to the Board of Directors: VP of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys spending time with her partner Aaron and their two French bulldogs, Tater Tot and Queso (@theloadedtots). Lauren speaks Chinese, German, and Spanish and holds her Series 7 and 66.

EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES

• Cy Wakeman’s book Reality based Leadership 

• Learn more about the Young Women’s Alliance & (YWA Instagram)

• Austin Under 40 Website
• Heristic website (DEI consultant)
• Ready for a Mastermind?  Apply Today!