Emma Vibber, M.A.

I attribute my success to the strength of my personal and professional network and my innate desire to continuously learn and lead with curiosity.

I’ve been intentional about building relationships rooted in trust, generosity, and mutual growth. My network has opened doors, challenged my thinking, and provided perspective during pivotal moments—reminding me that success is rarely achieved in isolation. I believe in showing up for others, sharing knowledge freely, and staying connected to people who inspire me to think bigger and act with purpose.

Equally important is my curiosity. I have a deep desire to learn, ask better questions, and understand the “why” behind how things work. That curiosity fuels my leadership style—it keeps me adaptable, open-minded, and willing to evolve. Instead of leading from a place of certainty, I lead from exploration, which allows me to grow alongside others and create more meaningful, sustainable impact.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is to “eat the frog”—do the hardest, most uncomfortable task first thing in the morning. It taught me that progress isn’t about avoiding difficulty, but about facing it head-on.

By tackling the toughest work early, I build momentum, clarity, and confidence for the rest of the day. More importantly, it’s shaped how I approach my career: leaning into challenges rather than procrastinating and choosing growth over comfort. That mindset has helped me move faster, lead more decisively, and stay focused on what truly moves the needle.

My advice to young women entering the nonprofit sector is to care for your mental health as intentionally as you care about the mission. This work attracts passionate, purpose-driven people, and that passion can easily turn into burnout if you don’t set boundaries early.

Remember that your impact is not measured by how much you sacrifice or how exhausted you are. Sustainable change requires sustainable people. Learn to rest without guilt, ask for support, and recognize that saying no can be an act of leadership. When you protect your well-being, you don’t just last longer in this work—you lead better and create deeper, more lasting impact.

One of the biggest challenges in the nonprofit sector right now is the instability of federal funding and the rising negative rhetoric around social impact programs. When government support fluctuates or contracts, it puts critical services at risk and forces organizations to divert energy toward survival rather than innovation. At the same time, misunderstandings and skepticism about the value of social impact work can make it harder to build broad-based support and secure sustainable partnerships.

But within these challenges lie powerful opportunities. This moment is pushing nonprofits to become more strategic, transparent, and collaborative than ever before. It’s inspiring organizations to diversify revenue streams, strengthen community-led solutions, and communicate impact in ways that resonate across audiences. For women stepping into this field, there’s an exciting opportunity to lead with creativity, resilience, and a renewed commitment to advocacy. By shaping narratives with clarity and compassion, we can help bridge divides and reinforce the essential role of nonprofits in building equitable, thriving communities.

The values most important to me—both professionally and personally—are balance and sustainability, authenticity and presence, empathy and grace, and curiosity and growth.

I believe balance and sustainability are essential for long-term impact. I strive to build a life and career that allow for meaningful work without sacrificing well-being, knowing that endurance matters just as much as ambition.

Authenticity and presence guide how I show up with others. I value being honest, grounded, and fully engaged—because real connection and trust are built when we lead as our true selves.

Empathy and grace shape how I navigate relationships and challenges, reminding me to listen deeply, lead with compassion, and allow room for humanity in both myself and others.

Finally, curiosity and a desire for growth keep me evolving. I’m motivated by learning, asking better questions, and staying open to change—because growth, both personal and professional, is what keeps impact relevant and meaningful.