What Mission-Driven Leaders Really Need: More Than Just Passion
Serving on the board of ACHUNGO COMMUNITY CENTER a children’s center in Kenya has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my leadership journey. It keeps me connected to the community we serve — hearing their stories, witnessing their needs, and aligning our mission with what truly matters on the ground.
And yet, I’ve also felt a quiet tension: How do I turn this deep community connection into real resources, influence, and policy support? How do I move from simply “understanding the need” to “mobilizing the ecosystem”?
This tension isn’t unique to me. Many mission-driven leaders — especially those working cross-culturally — carry strong community capital (trust, insight, connection) but lack the social capital (networks, donors, policy access) that unlock strategic resources.
If organizations and boards ignore this gap, we unintentionally overburden leaders: expecting them to represent the community, deliver outcomes, and simultaneously “figure out” how to access power structures that weren’t built for them.
Bridging this gap isn’t just a personal challenge — it’s a leadership imperative. When leaders are equipped with both kinds of capital, they can translate community insights into sustained change, attract major donors, and shape policy conversations that drive systemic impact.
As a board member and executive coach, here’s what I’ve learned matters most:
Build Bridges, Not Just Reports: Go beyond sharing data — introduce community leaders to networks of influence, donors, and policymakers.
Translate Stories into Strategy: Coach leaders to turn frontline experiences into compelling narratives that resonate with decision-makers.
Create Sustainable Networks: Don’t rely on one-off introductions; help leaders embed themselves into lasting ecosystems of support.
This reminded me that my role on the board is more than governance — it’s to be a bridge-builder. And that requires me to stretch, grow, and expand my own networks.
If you’ve served on a nonprofit board, how have you helped translate community connection into strategic influence? I’d love to hear your approaches — especially ways to create sustainable access to resources and decision-making spaces.