Maija George

I attribute my success to my empathy and humanity, and my ability to see people for who they are as humans, not for what they've done or where they're at in life, but to see the humanity in everybody. This perspective allows me to connect with the people I serve on a deeper level and truly understand their needs. It's about recognizing that everyone has a story, and while those stories may look different than mine, they're no less important. This empathy drives everything I do in my work and helps me stay focused on what really matters, which is making a meaningful difference in people's lives.

The best career advice I ever received was to listen to my empathy and to always know that the people I'm helping have stories. It may look different than yours, but it doesn't mean it's any less important. This advice has been fundamental to how I approach my work in the nonprofit sector. It reminds me that every person I encounter has their own unique journey and challenges, and my role is to honor that by treating each situation with the care and respect it deserves. This perspective keeps me grounded and focused on the human element of the work, which is ultimately what makes the biggest difference.

The nonprofit sector can be very, very challenging, especially if you feel for other people in a deep manner. My advice is to remember that you may not be able to help everybody in the world, but to the one person you do help, you are changing their world. This perspective is crucial because it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of need out there. But if you focus on the individual impact you're making, even if it's just one person at a time, you'll find the strength and motivation to keep going. The work we do matters deeply to those we serve, and that's what makes it all worthwhile.

The biggest challenge in my field is finding enough funding for our mission. Nonprofits are always looking for additional unrestricted funding, and finding those opportunities can be very difficult. They change with each year and each administration. Rules change, funding changes, which can put the most vulnerable populations more at risk. So funding is always the top challenge we face. On the opportunity side, what's exciting is that this work creates an opportunity to build community within communities that may not have had an otherwise chance to meet. We're able to bring people together and create connections that wouldn't exist otherwise, which strengthens the fabric of our communities and creates lasting positive impact beyond just the immediate services we provide.

The values most important to me in my work and personal life are integrity and honesty, social justice with all communities, and a sense of belonging with everybody. These values guide everything I do, both professionally and personally. Integrity and honesty ensure that I'm always operating from a place of authenticity and transparency, which is essential when working with vulnerable populations. Social justice drives my commitment to ensuring that all communities, regardless of their circumstances, have access to the resources and support they need. And creating a sense of belonging is about making sure everyone feels valued and included, because we're all part of the same community and everyone deserves to feel like they matter.