Audrey Novotny

I attribute my success to my persistence and resilience, as I consistently strive to overcome challenges without giving up. My greatest motivation is my two daughters, who inspire me to lead with purpose and integrity as a single mother. Everything I do is guided by my desire to set a strong example for them and to build a legacy that shows women can lead with excellence while positively impacting others.

I did not receive formal career advice or mentorship and instead had to forge my own path in a self-directed way. However, a defining influence came from meeting the founder of Trumbull Mobile Meals at an Athena Award banquet. She was 94 at the time, and alongside her co-founder, who started the organization in 1970, she left a lasting impression on me. Her boldness, candor, and fearless attitude taught me the importance of speaking up, leading with confidence, and embracing determination and conviction in both my personal and professional life.

My advice to young women entering the nonprofit sector is to pursue it only if you have a genuine passion for service, as it is not a financially driven field but one rooted in purpose. If you truly have that calling, stay committed and do not give up, even when it becomes challenging. Seek out support, build your community, and ask for help whenever you need it, because connection and collaboration are essential in this work. While it may not offer significant financial rewards, it provides a deep sense of meaning and fulfillment that comes from making a real difference.

The biggest challenge in my field is securing consistent funding. As a grant writer, I am responsible for ensuring we have the financial resources to sustain operations, including essential needs like food procurement, which alone can reach approximately $50,000 per month. Maintaining this level of support is critical to keeping our programs running. At the same time, there is a strong opportunity to grow and expand our reach so we can serve more individuals in need. The work is especially meaningful because for many of our clients, we are not only their primary source of nutrition but also often the only personal connection they have in a day.

Integrity is the core value that guides everything I do. I take great care in maintaining a strong reputation built on honesty, accountability, and a genuine commitment to looking out for others. I also lead with compassion and empathy in both my professional and personal interactions. As a single mother of two daughters, I am deeply focused on setting an example they can be proud of—one that reflects service, purpose, and meaningful contribution. These values shape my decisions, my leadership style, and the way I approach relationships, and I strive to model them consistently through my everyday actions.