Sandra Maignan

I attribute my success to my mother and my children. They have been the driving force behind everything I've accomplished in my career and personal life. In addition to them, I would say my resilience and willingness to do the inner work, not just the professional work. I’ve navigated toxic environments, setbacks, and moments that could have easily made me shrink. Instead, I chose to rebuild, refine, and reposition myself. I’ve learned that success isn’t about avoiding challenges, it’s about evolving through them and staying committed to growth, even when it’s uncomfortable.

My advice would be to be intentional about your growth and your voice. Don't just focus on doing the work, but focus on understanding how systems operate. Understand that those who work for us are human too, because a lot of my accomplishments and successes came from entering the human side, not just looking at people as numbers. Learn to understand how decisions are made and how you can position yourself to lead within a team instead of separate from that team. Invest in higher learning and make sure that you don't ever stay stagnant. Invest in leadership skills early on, such as communication, emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking. I don't think those are things that people really look at as important to leadership, but they really are.

One of the biggest challenges in leadership today is that many organizations are still operating from outdated models, prioritizing control over connection, and productivity over people. That disconnect is costing companies talent, trust, and long-term sustainability. At the same time, that challenge creates a massive opportunity. I do believe that there is a shift taking place. Leaders are being called to lead with emotional intelligence, cultural awareness, and authenticity. In the nonprofit and community action space specifically, the opportunity lies in bridging the gap between funding and real-life impact. Grants don’t always cover the full need, and that’s where innovation, partnerships, and community engagement become critical. Leaders who can think strategically, build relationships, and communicate impact clearly will not only survive this shift, they’ll lead it.

Integrity is non-negotiable for me, who I am behind closed doors must align with who I present publicly. I lead with purpose, not just performance, which means every decision I make is rooted in impact, not optics. I value accountability, emotional intelligence, and discipline. I truly believe self-awareness is one of the highest forms of power you can’t lead people effectively if you haven’t first led yourself. In both my work and personal life, I’m not just focused on success for today, I’m focused on building systems, opportunities, and environments that outlive me and uplift others, especially in communities that have historically been overlooked.