Her Story
About Zaina
Zaina Greene is the Executive Director of Treasure, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting women who have been trafficked and exploited. In this role, she leads her team by providing support, removing obstacles, reviewing programming, meeting with donors and foundations, managing grant writing, and aligning strategy with the founder and board of directors. Greene holds a leadership degree from Regent University and has completed numerous leadership development courses through a local foundation in upstate South Carolina, another local nonprofit, and several conferences. She has been featured in the local Greenville magazine as an influential leader and noted in another magazine for business. Greene attributes her success to her Christian faith, which inspires her work, along with a strong emphasis on ongoing professional development and growth as a leader. She values integrity, transparency, and trust, striving to build a team environment of honesty and vulnerability that supports the safe atmosphere needed for their work with survivors. Among the challenges she notes in the nonprofit sector are declining fundraising and standing out amid information overload, while an opportunity lies in communicating the organization's expanded national reach, which began during the 2020 shift and now serves women across the country after 23 years of operation.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Zaina
01What do you attribute your success to?
If I had to attribute my success to anything, first and foremost, I would say the Lord. I truly don't believe I would be in this work if He hadn't invited me on this journey. Looking back, I can see His hand guiding each step, opening doors, and giving me the strength and wisdom to keep going.
I would also say that I place a really high value on personal growth. I never want to become complacent as a leader. I want to be a better leader this year than I was last year, so I'm always looking for opportunities to learn, grow, and develop. Whether it's continuing education, professional development, coaching, or learning from other leaders, I think it's important to keep growing. I believe the best leaders are lifelong learners, and that commitment to growth has been a significant part of my journey as well.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of the best pieces of career advice I ever received came from my former pastor. He used the analogy of steering a ship when leading change, and it's stayed with me throughout my career.
He said that when you're trying to change culture, it's like turning a ship. If you try to turn it too quickly, people fall off. But if you lead with intentional, steady change, you bring people along with you.
That advice has shaped the way I lead. It's reminded me that real, lasting change isn't about moving as fast as possible—it's about building trust, communicating the vision clearly, and giving people the time they need to move forward together.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering this field to stay humble and remain teachable. No matter how much you know or how passionate you are, there's always more to learn.
I'd also encourage them to surround themselves with wise counsel and diverse voices. Find mentors who have walked the road before you, ask questions, listen well, and don't be afraid to seek feedback. Some of the greatest growth comes from learning from people with different experiences and perspectives.
Finally, remember that leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about being willing to keep learning, serving others well, and growing over time. Those qualities will take you much further than trying to prove yourself.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the nonprofit sector right now is fundraising. Across the industry, many organizations are seeing charitable giving decline, which means nonprofits have to work even harder to engage donors and communicate why their mission matters.
Another challenge is simply being heard. We live in a world that's incredibly busy and noisy. Between social media, constant information, and so many worthy causes competing for attention, it can be difficult to make your message stand out and connect with people in a meaningful way.
At the same time, I see tremendous opportunity. During COVID in 2020, Treasures transitioned from primarily serving women in Los Angeles to becoming a national organization. Today, we're able to reach and support women across the country while building on more than 23 years of experience. I believe our opportunity is to tell that story more effectively; to help people understand both the depth of our impact and the expanded reach of our mission. When we do that well, we not only raise awareness but also invite more people to become part of the work.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My faith is the foundation of everything I do. As a Christian, it's what inspires me, guides my decisions, and gives purpose to the work I'm called to do. It shapes the way I view people, the way I lead, and the way I approach challenges.
Beyond that, I place a high value on integrity, transparency, and trust. I believe healthy organizations are built on relationships where people feel safe to be honest, ask for help, and have difficult conversations with grace. I want our team to know they can trust one another, be authentic about their struggles, and work through challenges together.
That's especially important in the work we do with survivors of trafficking and sexual exploitation. If we're asking women who have experienced deep betrayal and trauma to trust us, then we have to model that same safety and trust within our own team first. I believe the culture we create internally directly impacts the care we provide externally. Creating an environment of trust, honesty, and compassion isn't just good leadership....it's essential to our mission.
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