A nonprofit leader's journey from burnout to sustainable leadership through setting boundaries, prioritizing rest, and modeling healthy work practices for their team.
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Influential Woman · Nonprofit
Lenore A. Brinson
Executive Director, Florida Epilepsy Services/Epilepsy Foundation of FL
Brandon, FL 33511
2Articles published
1Award received
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It's okay to feel the weight of a setback, just don't stay there too long. Get back up, keep going, and remember: a win is a win, no matter how small.
Lenore A. Brinson · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Lenore
Lenore A. Brinson is a nonprofit executive leader based in Tampa, Florida, serving as the Executive Director of Florida Epilepsy Services/Epilepsy Foundation of Florida. With nearly a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector following eight years of military service, she has built a career centered on strategic leadership, community advocacy, and mission-driven program development. She is recognized for her ability to guide organizations through growth and transformation, strengthening operational systems while expanding community impact for individuals and families affected by epilepsy across the state. Beginning her nonprofit journey in 2015, Lenore advanced through multiple roles within Florida Epilepsy Services, including Business Manager, Community Operations Manager, and Community Director, before stepping into her current executive leadership position. Under her direction, the organization has significantly expanded its programming, increased funding, and enhanced statewide outreach efforts, including seizure first aid training for community members, schools, and public service agencies. She leads a small but highly effective team focused on delivering free case management services, education, and referral support to underserved populations. In addition to her executive role, Lenore is the founder of Inspired by Queens, Inc., a nonprofit initiative dedicated to empowerment, advocacy, and community engagement. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes empowerment over micromanagement, cultivating strong teams and sustainable systems that allow others to thrive. Guided by a deep commitment to service, she focuses on building partnerships, advancing awareness, and creating meaningful pathways for lasting community impact.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lenore
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to just wanting to be the best me. This is a me thing - it just happens to involve other people. In order for me to be the best that I can when it comes to community and myself, I have to be the best me first. It's about focusing on being the best version of myself, and that naturally extends to how I serve my community and lead my team.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was 'you belong.' I had a season where I doubted myself because I didn't look like my peers and I didn't have the same educational background - they had doctorates and MPH degrees, and I didn't have that, even though I had the same work experience. Another Black woman, a CEO, told me 'you belong here' and broke down my skill set for me. She said most people either know strategic planning or leadership, but I do both, and I'm good at doing both. She told me not to let that hinder me. Once I got over that doubt, I was able to present my best self. I was doing good before, but it wasn't my best self - now who I am is my best self.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering my industry to give yourself grace. There's no handbook or blueprint - everyone's path is different. Give yourself grace and know that you're doing the best that you can do. Focus on the things that you can change, that are within your reach, and the things that you can't change, let it be, accept it, and go about your business. Don't stay in it too long, because then you become that. Focus on what you can control and change, and no matter what you do in life, give yourself grace.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in my field right now are funding and community engagement. Funding is the main thing - as you can see in today's economy, funding is getting cut here and there, everywhere, and being in the nonprofit sector, it really affects us a lot. We're trying to be creative and find other avenues for funding. Community engagement is also a challenge, and it's just because of the stigma behind epilepsy. We're doing everything we can to try to break that stigma, but it's an ongoing challenge.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In both my work and personal life, I place the highest value on integrity, accountability, and empathy.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Lenore
Work-Life Balance Isn’t About Balance—It’s About Boundaries
Why nonprofit leaders must choose boundaries over burnout to sustain their impact and well-being.
For years, I wore being “always available” like a badge of honor.
I answered emails late at night. I took calls during dinner. I sacrificed vacations, weekends, and moments that should have belonged to my family, my health, and myself—all in the name of leadership and service.
Like many nonprofit leaders, I convinced myself that if I cared enough, worked hard enough, and gave enough of myself, everything would work out.
It doesn’t.
Somewhere along the way, I realized something uncomfortable: the organization would continue operating, meetings would still happen, and emails would still arrive. The only thing quietly disappearing was me.
We’ve normalized exhaustion.
We celebrate people who never take PTO. We applaud those who answer emails at midnight and call them “dedicated.” We praise leaders who carry impossible workloads while quietly neglecting their own well-being.
That’s not leadership.
That’s survival.
The real goal isn’t balance.
Work-life balance is often presented as if it’s a perfect scale—equal parts work and personal life. I’ve learned that’s unrealistic. Some seasons require more of us than others. The real goal isn’t balance.
It’s boundaries.
Boundaries are not barriers to productivity.
Boundaries are not barriers to productivity; they are the foundation of sustainable leadership.
- They give us permission to disconnect without guilt.
- They remind us that saying “no” to one thing often means saying “yes” to something more important.
- They protect our mental health, our relationships, and our ability to continue serving others without losing ourselves in the process.
Culture isn’t created by policies.
As a leader, I’ve also learned that the boundaries I set become the boundaries my team believes they are allowed to have. If I answer emails at all hours, they feel pressured to do the same. If I never take time off, they wonder whether it is truly acceptable for them to use theirs.
Culture isn’t created by policies.
It’s created by what leaders model.
Rest is part of the work.
Creating boundaries doesn’t make us less committed. It makes us more intentional.
It means being fully present at work when we’re working and fully present in our personal lives when we’re not.
It means understanding that rest isn’t something we earn after burnout. Rest is part of the work.
I have become a better leader since learning to disconnect.
Ironically, I have become a better leader since learning to disconnect.
- I am more focused.
- I make better decisions.
- I listen more carefully.
- I lead with greater patience and empathy because I am no longer operating from a place of constant depletion.
The people we serve deserve our best—not what is left of us.
Protect your peace.
So, if you’re waiting for permission to create healthier boundaries, consider this your reminder:
- Protect your peace.
- Take your PTO.
- Turn off your notifications.
- Spend time with the people you love.
- Reconnect with yourself.
Because your worth has never been measured by how exhausted you are.
The best leaders don’t give every ounce of themselves away.
They lead in a way that ensures they still have something left to give tomorrow.
Explore how women leaders are breaking barriers, leading with authenticity and compassion, and inspiring future generations through their courage, vision, and transformative impact across organizations and communities worldwide.
Women in Leadership
Leading with Purpose, Strength, and Authenticity
Women in Leadership: Leading with Purpose, Courage, and Impact
Leadership is not about titles, positions, or authority. It is about influence, vision, and the ability to inspire others to achieve more than they thought possible. Throughout history, women have continuously broken barriers, challenged norms, and redefined what leadership looks like. Today, women leaders are not only occupying seats at the table—they are building new tables and creating opportunities for future generations to thrive.
The journey of women in leadership has not always been easy. Many have had to navigate environments where their voices were overlooked, their abilities questioned, and their ambitions misunderstood. Yet, despite these challenges, women have continued to rise with resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
One of the greatest strengths women bring to leadership is authenticity. Women leaders often understand the importance of leading with both confidence and compassion. They recognize that success is not solely measured by profits, performance metrics, or organizational growth, but also by the lives they impact, the cultures they create, and the people they empower along the way.
Leadership requires courage—the courage to make difficult decisions, embrace change, and remain steadfast during times of uncertainty. Women leaders demonstrate this courage every day. They lead businesses, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, healthcare systems, educational institutions, and communities while balancing countless responsibilities and expectations. They prove that strength and empathy can coexist and that vulnerability can be a powerful leadership tool.
Perhaps one of the most meaningful aspects of women in leadership is their ability to inspire others. When young girls see women leading organizations, serving in executive roles, and making decisions that shape communities, they begin to see new possibilities for themselves. Representation matters because it expands what people believe is achievable.
Women leaders also understand the importance of lifting others as they climb. Many dedicate themselves to mentoring, coaching, and advocating for others. They recognize that true leadership is not about being the only woman in the room—it is about ensuring that more women have the opportunity to enter the room and succeed.
As we continue to advance gender equity in leadership, we must remember that progress is not just about increasing numbers. It is about creating environments where women can lead authentically, contribute fully, and be valued for the unique perspectives they bring.
The future of leadership is not defined by gender. It is defined by character, vision, integrity, and a willingness to serve others. Women have demonstrated these qualities time and time again. Their leadership strengthens organizations, transforms communities, and leaves a legacy that extends far beyond their own accomplishments.
To every woman who is leading a team, running an organization, raising a family, building a business, advocating for change, or simply taking the next step toward her goals: your leadership matters. Your voice matters. Your impact matters.
The world needs more leaders who are courageous enough to lead with purpose, compassionate enough to serve others, and confident enough to embrace their authentic selves. The world needs more women leaders.
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