Influential Woman · Nonprofit Development

Genesis Borens

Major Gifts: Community Engagement Advisor, East Texas Food Bank

Tyler, TX

7Years experience

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Dallas Christian College (Volleyball Scholarship) Degree Tyler Junior College (Education Degree Psychology Degree And Nursing) Degree College of Biblical Studies Cert Veritas Certified Mid-Level Donor Cert Veritas Certified Major Level Donor Member Tyler Young Professionals Network (Board Member) Member Love Thy City (Advisory Council)

Her Story

About Genesis

I started my career in sales, working as a small business rep for Sprint and T-Mobile from 2017 to 2021. My transition into nonprofit development happened through a chance encounter with a customer named Sally at my store. We had a 3-hour interaction, and she saw something in me that led her to recruit me to Mentoring Alliance, a faith-based after-school and summer camp program. What made it even more special was that this was the same organization I had grown up in when it was called the Boys and Girls Club. I started as a receptionist, but within 6 months, leadership recognized my potential and created a mid-level gift officer position for me. Over 3 years, I cultivated relationships with about 300 donors. One of those donors was the major gift officer at East Texas Food Bank, and she got to see how I worked firsthand. In 2024, when she moved up to director, she recruited me to join the food bank as a major gift officer. I'm currently in the process of potentially moving into a development director role at another nonprofit. Throughout my career, I haven't had to apply for a job since 2021. People keep presenting opportunities to me, and I attribute all of this to God and the fact that people see value in me that I sometimes can't see in myself. My work is all about building genuine, lasting relationships with donors and loving people well. It doesn't even feel like a job because networking and connecting with people is just naturally who I am.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Genesis

01What do you attribute your success to?

I would honestly say God. He literally has opened every door for me. I haven't had to actually apply for a job since 2021. People have just presented opportunities to me for the past 4 or 5 years, and I'm just very blessed that people see my value sometimes that I can't even see myself. I never even thought about development until somebody told me that they think I would be great at it, so I really can't take any of the credit. God just keeps moving me up in this field, and I just have faith that everything happens in my favor. I don't stress in my work. I know how to have fun and work. I'm very optimistic, and I know I can do whatever I can do, and I just leave the results up to what I've put out. I do my very best, plant the best seeds of love and integrity, and leave the results to God.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

The best career advice I ever received came from my old boss. He told me that it's better to say 'I don't know, but I'll find out' than to basically BS an answer. Especially in this line of work, when I meet with donors and people ask me questions about our operations or programs, things that I'm not 100% sure of, I've really taken that to heart. I'm quick to say I don't know, but I will look into it and find out. I feel like that has helped build trust with people as well.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would say to always ask questions and remain humble. You have to love your donors well. In this field, you have donors that already love the mission and give to the mission, but whenever they are connected to somebody from the organization like a professional like me, we really have to love those people, their passions, their interests, because it is like making friends and deepening their relationship with the organization through love and friendship for them as a person. Do the best you can, and the results will flow from what you've put into it. I don't stress out in my work. I know how to have fun and work. I'm very optimistic, and I know I can do whatever I can do, and I just leave the results up to what I've put out. So I would say: always ask questions, remain humble, and love your donors well.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

I would say probably just the unknowing of what will happen in the government. In nonprofit work, everybody's bipartisan, but you kind of just never know what's gonna happen. You never know what's going to happen with policies and budget cuts coming from the top down. That's the only challenge, really, because it's just kind of out of your control. We always have to stay on top of all the changes and policies and budget cuts coming from the top down. You just kind of never know.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

I'm a very spiritual person, and I would say planting the best seeds of love and integrity, and leaving the results to God. That's what guides me in everything I do. I believe in doing my very best, loving people well, and having faith that everything will work out as it should.

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