Her Story
About Meg
Meg Voorhis serves as Director of Operations at Watershed Society, a longstanding nonprofit focused on environmental conservation and river protection serving communities in the broader Washington, D.C. area. In this role, she works directly with the leadership team, CEO, and board to enable organizational impact. She pivoted to the nonprofit sector after several decades in leadership roles at consulting and technology firms, where she supported growth, transformation, and impact in healthcare, higher education, and social sectors, including at a big four firm building management and leadership capabilities. Voorhis holds a Master's of Cultural Studies from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor's in English with a concentration in communications from University of Massachusetts Amherst. She has earned certifications in design thinking from Stanford University, Design for Good from the Royal School of Design, and yoga training. She attributes her success to a Sherpa-style leadership approach that guides others without seeking the spotlight, combined with mindsets of leaning into one's edge, grit, perseverance, agility, self-awareness, and empathy. Voorhis is a recipient of the National Award of Women in the Workplace and volunteers as a contributor and leadership coach with Braven, where she runs a leadership lab for young women at Spelman.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Meg
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the mindsets I have shared, especially leaning into your edge, and my leadership style as a Sherpa who guides others up the mountain without seeking the limelight, coaching and helping break down roadblocks so others can reach their full potential.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received was to seek out a variety of voices and perspectives, not just one mentor, but a mix of people that help explore different challenges and mindsets.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is to find your people and cultivate a network early, not being afraid to ask for advice and stay curious. Careers are more like a rock wall than a linear pathway. Also, figure out what your passion is, because passion and authenticity come first.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is macroeconomic headwinds and ambiguity in the funding environment for NGOs, making it hard to keep pace and leading some to shutter doors or reduce staff. The opportunity is keeping communities at the core, ensuring decisions are informed by community voices, and focusing on long-term sustainable impact and alternative funding models.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are perseverance and grit, agility, cultivating self-awareness and empathy, being compassionate in risk-taking, finding passion, and leading with authenticity.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.