Marti Yeager

I attribute my success to perseverance, not shortchanging myself, and being willing to take opportunities even when others tell me I'm not ready. There have been times in my career when someone told me 'oh, you're not ready yet' for a promotion or growth opportunity, and I watched the person who was hired last only 4 months while I ended up doing the work anyway. That taught me that I should have just applied and moved on, let them tell me face-to-face rather than holding myself back. I've learned to watch other people who just go for it with confidence and ask myself, why can't I just do that? Why can't I just have that? Some people just apply and don't overthink it, and I've realized that's what I need to do too. I'm also very fortunate to have a boss who is excellent at mentoring and providing leadership support, which has been invaluable to my growth. Having that kind of support system and encouragement to pursue opportunities has made a real difference in my career trajectory.

The best career advice I've received has come through the mentorship and support of my current supervisor and organizational leadership. I'm very fortunate to have a boss who is excellent at mentoring and providing leadership support. Having leaders who invest in your development and encourage you to pursue growth opportunities has been invaluable to my career. That kind of mentorship has taught me the importance of not shortchanging myself and being willing to apply for opportunities even when others suggest I might not be ready yet.

My biggest advice to women starting off in nonprofit is not to shortchange yourself. When opportunities come up for growth within an agency, take them. Don't shy away if somebody tells you 'oh, you're not ready yet' - still try to apply. That's something that has happened in my own career, where someone told me I wasn't ready yet, and then I watched the person who got hired last only 4 months while I ended up doing the work anyway. I realized I should have just applied and moved on, let them tell me face-to-face rather than holding myself back. Don't be scared to apply for opportunities that are going to help you advance. I've watched other people just go for it with confidence, and I ask myself, why can't I just do that? Some people just apply and don't overthink it. My biggest thing is just apply for that opportunity and don't let anyone else's doubts become your own limitations.

The values most important to me are patience, perseverance, and helping others grow and succeed. In my coaching work with young children, I've learned to step back and remember that you don't know what's happening in someone's day-to-day, so you just go with the flow. As long as they are trying, that's all that matters. I don't believe in putting too much pressure on young kids - they're 3, 4, 5, 6 years old, and you can't put that kind of pressure on them at that age. I also deeply value mentorship and supporting others in their professional growth. One of my proudest moments is watching people who just started in the field grow and develop, being there as their support system. I want to provide my daughter with the same opportunities that my parents provided me, and I'm intentional about helping her adjust and adapt during major life changes. I believe in taking the long route when necessary and doing things slowly and thoughtfully, whether that's pursuing my PhD goals or helping my daughter transition to a new home and school.