Robbin S Finney-Granston

I attribute much of my success to the strong women who have influenced me throughout my life. MY mother, my aunties, my mother's friends, my friends, women in the church and the professional women I have built relationships with over the years each provided examples of strength, perseverance, faith, leadership and service. They showed me, in different ways and at different stages of my life, what was possible. Their influence helped shape my values, my work ethic, and my belief in the importance of lifting others as I move forward.

I also attribute my success to a willingness to keep learning, to take on challenges that stretched me, and to recognize that every experience -whether a success or setback - has something to teach me. I have tried to carry those lessons forward while also being for others what so many women have been for me: a source of encouragement, guidance, opportunity and belief in what is possible.

The best career advise I have ever received was about compensation, and interestingly, it came from a man. He told me that I should always know my worth and that, I should seek at least 20% more than what is initially offered.

I received that advise very early in my career, and I have never forgotten it. Over the years, it has often proved to be accurate. It taught me the importance of advocating for myself, understanding the value I bring and entering the compensation conversation with confidence.

The best career advice I would give young women entering my industry, or any industry, is to cultivate self-confidence. You must find a way to project self-confidence, whether you are graduating from college or have been in the job market for several years. Always maintain a high level of self-confidence and self-esteem, value your experience and knowledge, and do not allow anyone to devalue the.

that does not mean being out of pocket, rude, loud or arrogant. It means holding your place and knowing your value at all times.

I would say the biggest challenges facing New York's nonprofit sector are the widening gap between the cost of delivering services and the funding available to pay for them. Rising demand, inflation and higher operating costs, workforce shortages and increased costs of borrowing are putting organizations under growing pressure. At the same time, government funding is unpredictable and reduced. These pressures are especially severe for organizations serving communities of color, immigrants, people experiencing homelessness, low-income families and other underserved New Yorkers. The result is a growing risk that the communities with the greatest needs will face reduced access to essential services and economic opportunity.

Honesty and integrity are most important to me. Do what you say you're gonna do, and if you can't do it, say that too. If you cannot get it accomplished for whatever reason, be honest - say I need help, I cannot do it, I don't have the time or I am not sure how to get it done. Honesty is high on the list for me because if I can't trust you, how can I work with you, build with you, love you? How can we plan if I can't trust you to know that the plan we're putting together is the one that you'll follow? I'm big on integrity. Honesty and integrity are like peanut butter and jelly...they go together