Her Story
About Vesta
Vesta Godwin Clark is a respected nonprofit leader whose career spans more than four decades of service, advocacy, and community impact. As Executive Director of St. James Social Service Corporation in Newark, New Jersey, she has dedicated the past 27 years to strengthening programs that address food insecurity, poverty, and community needs throughout Essex County. Holding a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Rutgers University and a master's degree in Nonprofit Management and Public Administration from William Paterson University, Vesta has built a career rooted in faith, compassion, and a commitment to helping others thrive.
Before joining St. James Social Service Corporation, Vesta worked in retail before transitioning into nonprofit management with the March of Dimes, where she spent ten years as a fundraiser and manager. She later helped grow Jersey Cares, gaining valuable experience in organizational leadership and nonprofit operations. In 1999, she was asked by her church to assess and help stabilize St. James Social Service Corporation. What began as a part-time consulting role evolved into a transformative leadership journey. Under her guidance, the organization expanded its services, integrated community ministries into a sustainable nonprofit model, and grew from operating in the red to becoming a thriving $2 million organization serving thousands of residents annually.
Vesta's leadership became especially visible during the COVID-19 pandemic, when St. James Social Service Corporation remained open every day, serving more than 2,000 people daily through its emergency food pantry and Soulful Café soup kitchen. The organization's work has received national recognition, including appearances on the Food Network's *Restaurant Impossible* and ABC's *Nightline*. As she continues to lead the organization while developing a thoughtful succession plan, Vesta remains focused on leaving a lasting legacy of service, faith, and community transformation. She views St. James Social Service Corporation as both her life's work and a testament to the purpose and calling that have guided her career.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Vesta
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to faith, perseverance, and a willingness to embrace challenges, even when they arrive in unexpected ways. Some of the most difficult moments in my career ultimately became opportunities that led me to my life's purpose, and I've learned that staying committed to the mission and serving others always creates a path forward. I also believe success comes from building strong relationships, remaining adaptable, and never losing sight of the people and communities you're called to serve.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice Vesta ever received came through the example and guidance of the many mentors who shaped her life: lead with integrity, remain committed to service, and never stop growing. They taught her that true leadership is about uplifting others, staying grounded in your values, and balancing professional ambition with personal well-being and purpose.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
You have to have a passion. It can't be about the money. It took me many years to start making what you would call a decent salary for a nonprofit executive director, and I haven't had a raise in 3 years. For many years, it was $40,000. It can't be about the money. You have to have a passion. I'm grateful that my staff are finally in a position where people can make a decent living, but they've stayed because they have a passion for the people that we serve. So many people are in need, and Iyanla Vanzant said it a long time ago in a book that I read: if you love what you do, the money will come. So you can't look at going into nonprofit leadership for the money. It has to be something that you truly have a passion for. When you think of the people that we serve and how many people we serve every day, from food to period products to incontinence products, we're just so grateful that we're here to be able to help.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in nonprofit leadership is navigating an ever-changing funding landscape, where shifting grant priorities and donor support require constant adaptability and creative, diversified funding strategies. At the same time, leaders must be prepared to respond to rapidly increasing community needs, especially during crises, while maintaining high-quality, consistent service delivery under pressure.
These challenges also create opportunities to strengthen organizations through innovation, deeper community partnerships, and long-term strategic planning, including succession development and infrastructure building. In Vesta’s work, this has meant continuously turning pressure points into growth moments that expand impact and ensure lasting sustainability for the communities she serves.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are service, resilience, and family. My journey has always been rooted in a commitment to helping others, whether that’s leading large-scale nonprofit food programs, supporting individuals and families in crisis, or caring for my own loved ones across generations.
I also deeply value integrity, empathy, and lifelong learning, all of which have been shaped by both my professional experiences and personal challenges. These values guide how I lead, how I build relationships, and how I continue working to create lasting, meaningful impact in my community.
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