Candi James

I would say my ability to connect with people, especially people in the community. I think I am personable. Another thing I think adds to my success is my ability to bounce back, and bounce back is the nickname my team calls me. Because I'm able to see things happening and able to say okay, no problem, let's figure it out, let's bounce back. I think that tends to add to what people see, and they value that. They value someone that can think on their feet. And my creativity. I definitely think that also helps us bounce back, because someone has to be the leader, pushing the vision and creating the vision, and I think I do a good job of putting that in place. Visionary, creative, bounce back. And just being a connector and meeting people in the community. It's all about people. It's all about people. And once you start developing relationships with people, and they like you, and they respect you, everything else is easier after that.

I would say to not always be a taker, be a giver, add value to people. Add value to the rooms that you enter, add value to the spaces that you occupy. Be a person that adds value to people. I think that's good advice that I've received, and just owning it, owning the spaces that you're in also. You belong in that room, you belong at that space, you belong at that table, and when you realize that, just own it. You are where you are for a reason. I think those are some of my key things that I can take away in this season. I know I've received a lot over the years, but I think in this season, it's to add value and own it. And you belong there.

I would let her know that she belongs. You don't have to be intimidated. You're a leader, you belong in that space. As long as you have a heart for people, you want to make change, you belong. Don't be intimidated by the jackets and everyone's speech and how professional and how perfect they sound and look. Don't be intimidated by any of that, just show up as you are. Just show up as your authentic self, with your heart for people, with your heart for giving back, with your heart for serving, and that will go a long way.

I would say the biggest challenge would be that a lot of the dollars that we receive really depends on the climate. What is happening, whether it is political, or weather, or health. Even recent COVID, it affects what we receive to be able to help the children and families, and that's a big challenge. You don't always know where your funding is coming from. So, in my role, I have to be creative. I have to be a forward thinker, and just what do we have to do to bounce back to ensure that we still receive funding? Because we do use government funding, but government funding only meets the basic needs. As you know, children and families need more than just the basic needs. So for us to be able to provide a little more extra excellence, is what we like to call it, we need to figure those things out. I would say that would be our struggle, not always knowing where the funding is coming from.

Integrity, leading with integrity is super important to me, especially in the nonprofit world when you're handling people's money. And having heart and finding purpose in this space, I think that in my professional and personal life, that's important for me to be able to do a good job. If I feel like I'm purposeful, if I have the heart for what I'm doing, and the passion, and moving with integrity, I'm good in both spaces. You want to be someone that people can trust. You want to be someone that people can believe in, and that you make them feel seen, and you make them feel important. So I think for me, all of that ties to me being intentional, me being purposeful, and me just wanting to be impactful in my spaces. Because I do want to be intentional about creating spaces where people can feel seen, and feel supported, and especially women, especially people in the communities that we serve, that don't always feel important because they make less money and they don't always look like they have it all together. So it's important for me for people to feel seen and important and empowered and supported.