Reflections from ESC’s Outgoing Interim Director of Programs

As I wrap up my time as ESC’s Interim Director of Programs, and as we welcome Sabeta Jarba, ESC’s new Senior Director of Programs, I am reflecting on this truly impactful experience, and I would like to share some of those reflections with the ESC community.

Serving in this role has been an honor and has offered insights and perspectives that I will carry forward.
Coming into this position with experience as an ESC consultant was invaluable. My experiences leading engagements gave a deeper understanding of the needs of the organizations we support and how to design projects that truly meet those needs – and this understanding deepened as I grew into my new role. For example, my previous strategic planning and corporate governance work helped me hit the ground running and ensure our project designs addressed the most pressing issues. It also taught me how to create meaningful experiences for our consultants that fulfill the reasons they choose to volunteer with ESC.

As I look back on this past year, I want to share some heartfelt thank-yous:

• Volunteers Are the Heart of ESC: Thank you to all of our volunteers for your dedication and generosity. You are the heart of ESC, and working alongside you, across dozens of projects and teams in my tenure here, has been inspiring.
  Strengthening Nonprofits and Communities: Thank you as well to the organizations that place their trust in ESC as a partner in advancing their mission and creating lasting impact in the communities they serve.
• Gratitude for Colleagues and Friends: A special thank you to the ESC staff for welcoming me as a member of the team, to Julie Crockford for inviting me to stretch into this role and for her friendship, and to Naomi Orensten for being open to my rambling downloads of ESC background.

I look forward to staying involved with ESC in meaningful ways and seeing ESC thrive in the years ahead.
With appreciation,
Meryl Fink