189: Maximizing Community Relationships as a Nonprofit Leader (Kathy Rogers)

Community partnerships can be an effective way to accomplish shared goals. What are the factors that make some partnerships more effective than others? In episode #189 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Mental Health America of Central Carolinas Executive Director Kathy Rogers outlines the importance of building intentional and strategic community relationships that maximizes collaboration, funding, and will move your mission forward. She shares key aspects for cultivating stronger relationships with local governments. Community-based nonprofit organizations offer unique and important insights into the challenges and opportunities facing residents in their area and can help local officials improve their ability to communicate and connect with a wide range of community members. This type of collaboration is vital to the organization and the community. Passionate about creating a culture of communication, she describes her recently formed workplace culture committee, its goals and progress, and lessons learned through the pandemic all nonprofit leaders will benefit from hearing.

Kathy Rogers has been the Executive Director of Mental Health America of Central Carolinas (MHA) since October 2017. She has more than 20 years of executive nonprofit management experience, including 12 years as the Executive Director of United Way of Henry County and Martinsville, VA, where she was instrumental in starting an early childhood initiative, a faith-based crisis network, and a nonprofit capacity building initiative. Prior to joining MHA, Rogers was the Executive Director of Piedmont Arts, a nationally accredited arts organization in Martinsville, VA. Before moving into the nonprofit sector, she was Director of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations for a large textile manufacturer. She is a member of the North Carolina Mental Health Coalition, Mental Health America National’s Affiliate Relations Committee, Mecklenburg County’s Community Wellness Task Force, and the UCity Family Zone Community of Health Committee. She is also a certified QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Prevention Instructor.