Her Story
About Iris
I've been working with the nonprofit for close to 30 years in the Jewish community. My day involves answering calls from pregnant women in need, doing case management, pairing them with volunteers for support, providing supplies and equipment for their babies, and reaching out to the community to let them know our services are available. I have a BA in Psychology and a Master's in Social Work from Florida International University. I started with programming for older adults and shifted to macro-level work because I can make more of a difference shaping organizations and communities rather than one-on-one clinical work.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Iris
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think the values that my parents instilled in me, first and foremost. My cultural identity and religion identity being Jewish taught me to take care of the community that you live in. And the drive to want to succeed and want to help others.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
To remember to have a balance between your career and your life. As a social worker in nonprofit, it tends to swallow you and your personal life. Know your boundaries, know that taking care of yourself is also important.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The nonprofit world can be very difficult to work in because resources may not be available or budgets, but it also is extremely rewarding because you touch people. If you do what you love and love what you do, it's just gonna be easier.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Opportunities are that organizations know the value of collaborating, so you can always call up another nonprofit and they would be happy to collaborate. The challenge is always budgets and raising money, fundraising, finding different funding sources to sustain operations.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Whatever you do, do 100% and up, at least try to put it all in it because then there are no regrets. Be reliable because other people are relying on you. And professionalism, that's very important.
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