Her Story
About Molly
Molly Shambo is a finance and administrative professional currently serving at a nonprofit organization dedicated to forest conservation, headquartered in the Presidio in San Francisco. In this small-organization setting, she takes on a wide range of responsibilities, supporting the president and co-founder by running board meetings while also managing finance, bookkeeping, human resources, office operations, and event planning. Her path to this work has been anything but conventional, shaped instead by a career that began in classical music performance.
Molly's academic journey started at the University at Buffalo, where she initially pursued French, linguistics, and international studies before redirecting her focus toward music performance. She went on to earn a master's degree in Contemporary Flute Performance from the Manhattan School of Music and later completed her Doctor of Musical Arts in flute performance at Rutgers University's Mason Gross School of the Arts. Along the way, she also spent several years at SpeakMusic Conservatory, where she worked as a private lesson director, registrar, and flute instructor, further deepening her expertise in music education before transitioning into the nonprofit sector.
Molly credits her years of rigorous musical training with shaping the qualities that now define her professional approach: the ability to learn quickly, remain composed under pressure, stay solution-oriented, and collaborate effectively with colleagues across departments. Guided by values of respect, integrity, empathy, and continuous curiosity, she brings a thoughtful, adaptable perspective to mission-driven work. Her contributions and unconventional career path led to her recognition as an Influential Woman for 2026, representing San Francisco.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Molly
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the foundation I built through my musical training. That background shaped my character and prepared me to thrive in the unconventional world of nonprofit work. My years as a musician taught me to stay calm under pressure, remain focused, stay curious, and persevere — all of which help me adapt quickly and manage the varied responsibilities that come with working in a small nonprofit.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Some of the most valuable advice and experience in my growth came from a professor who recognized my potential before I recognized it myself.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage them to keep going, even when their path takes an unconventional turn. Pivoting away from what's expected doesn't diminish the value you bring — it often strengthens it.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities I see right now is training others. More broadly, working within smaller nonprofits comes with its own set of challenges, including limited financial resources, frequently switching between roles, and coordinating closely across departments. For me personally, there was also the added challenge of transitioning into a technical field like forest conservation after coming from a very different professional background.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Respect and integrity are at the core of who I am. Beyond that, I place great importance on empathy, compassion, collaboration, and authenticity. I also try to stay curious, remain solution-oriented, and commit myself to continuous learning in everything I do.
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