As 2020 progressed, I heard many people wishing for things to get “back to normal.” For me, last year's events were an inspiration to move forward to better, not back to normal.
2020 shined a spotlight on the many gaps in our society, revealing opportunities to make things better. I became more aware of how each of us has just so much time and energy, and I wanted to use both more purposefully as part of a collective mood and movement that makes a positive, meaningful difference.
That’s why I feel so fortunate to join the exceptional team at THD as Vice President of Account Management.
Perhaps my story resonates.
Perhaps you’re looking for something better. A better path? Better results? A better partner?
That’s why I thought I’d share my “why” for coming to THD.
To everything, there is a season.
Early in my career, I developed a passion for the role nonprofit organizations have in changing minds, saving lives, and reinventing the future. I worked with nonprofits on the client and agency sides for almost a decade, but then, to broaden my experience and perspective, I took a job with a business-to-business (B2B) agency with the plan to return to nonprofit work one day.
As the events of 2020 seemed to throw the world off its axle, I began to examine who I am, what I stand for, and how I want to show up each day — the impact I want to make on the world. It was time to return to my nonprofit roots.
A search for meaning doesn’t always fit neatly on an Excel spreadsheet.
As anyone who has made a career transition knows, the decision is far from easy, with many factors to evaluate. I’m a Type A personality, so you better believe I had a spreadsheet and a ranking system! But some things just can’t be captured by a formula.
In the end, the common thread that added up to my decision to make THD the destination for my nonprofit return was simple: values. I wanted to write the next chapter of my career, where I could feel good about the work I do, the people I work with, and how we work together.
The experience of 2020 amplified what I value and my desire to connect that to my work.
THD’s values aren’t just nice sentiments on their website. They are an integral part of how they work with one another and with clients. At the top of the list: Act with integrity. Nothing is more important at THD than acting with honor and integrity in our relationships and in our business decisions.
I connected with the idea of the team they aim to attract and keep: lifelong learners who keep commitments, do good, support one another, and go big or go home. I’m here for it.
There's one more value that may not be on their website but comes through loud and clear: agility.
As marketing changes, as donor expectations change, and even as the future of work evolves, THD embraces these new developments as an opportunity — an opportunity to do more good. THD continues to evolve the way they drive success for clients. Multichannel donor experiences. Modeling that maximizes results. Interactive dashboards that arm clients with data to make the best decisions for their organization.
Bringing together a diversity of perspectives to do good things
THD’s agility impacts me personally because they welcomed me as a remote employee. While it’s not for everyone, the WFH experiment of the last year opened my eyes to the fact that I’m more productive at home than in an open office environment. Not only am I a better employee for it, but I am also a better wife and mom.
Even before the pandemic, THD embraced both on-site and distributed employees. They recognized that their people are their biggest asset and the single most significant factor in the results they deliver for clients. They invested in creating a welcoming work environment for people in Lincoln, Massachusetts, but also kept an open mind about hiring people outside the Boston metro area. With clients around the country, THD hires the best person for the job, regardless of their location.
This “people first” mindset also advances THD’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Removing geographic barriers helps them continue to work toward building a team that reflects the diversity of the world, their clients, and the donors and communities they serve.
A career decision that checks all the boxes
I was attracted to join THD for many reasons, not the least of which was the caliber of the clients they serve and the quality of work they do. After all, if I was pivoting to working with nonprofits to re-engage my passion for making a difference, I needed to make sure I joined an organization that made a tremendous impact for clients.
“Every day, THD is Doing Good by driving donors, dollars, engagement, and brand loyalty to create impact for meaningful causes that serve our communities, our nation, and our world. At the end of the day, our ability to do that comes down to people.”
One of the most important aspects of any job is the people with whom you work. This is true whether your co-workers are across the room or across the Zoom. It’s true in terms of the company you choose to keep in the partners you select. I believe that, when working together, 1+1 can equal 3. And I can’t wait to see what all this adds up to in the years to come.
What are you searching for?
If you’re looking for an agency partner to create mutually rewarding omniexperiences for your donors that advance your organization’s mission, I’d love to talk to you about how THD might be a great fit.
And if you have also felt the tug to bring more meaning to your professional life — and are now curious about what it’s like to work at THD, check out our open roles here.
If you’d like to talk more about marketing, job searches, or following your purpose, I’d love to connect on LinkedIn.
