Introducing 2012 ProInspire Fellow: Bridget McCabe
Name: Bridget McCabe
Hometown: Glenmoore, PA
Organization: National Human Services Assembly (NHSA)
Previous Employer: Zenith Media, Mediacom
What inspired you to make the switch into the nonprofit sector?
I had been interested in pursuing a career in the nonprofit sector after I took a Fair Trade and Microfinance Consulting Class my senior year and ended up falling into advertising after I graduated. As I continued down that path, I realized I wanted to be a part of creating a positive impact on society in a more direct way. I wanted to find value in my day-to-day responsibilities and sought to contribute to the greater good.
What is your current position, and a typical day like?
I’m a Membership & Communications Coordinator for the National Human Services Assembly (NHSA) as well as a Member Services Coordinator for National Assembly Business Services (NABS). My responsibilities vary but I start my day by checking emails and prioritizing my to-do list. We have a number of Peer Councils focusing on different professional disciplines that meet 2-3 times a year so part of my time involves coordinating with Council Co-Chairs to form agendas, recruit speakers, and communicate the value of these meetings to our members.
Part of my role is to track member engagement through our CRM software, Salesforce. We’re looking to more fully utilize Salesforce and I spend part of my day researching ways to customize it to our needs. I also track and field questions from prospective members. I recently started working with NABS, which provides savings to nonprofits through their group purchasing program, PurchasingPoint. I’ll send welcome emails to new users, provide a cost analyses to a prospective organizations, and update portal announcements.
Where did you work prior to making the switch?
Zenith Media, Mediacom
What is your professional background and areas of expertise?
My background lies in communications in a number of capacities. I started my post-collegiate professional career as a media buyer at an advertising agency, buying national broadcast spots for Toyota Motor Sales, which included Toyota, Lexus, Scion, and Lexus Dealers Association. Throughout college I had a number of internships in radio, film distribution, television, print, marketing, and PR.
What are you involved in outside of work?
I’m currently taking a digital photography class at Capital Hill Arts Workshop and just received a spot on YNPNdc’s leadership committee for the 2012-2013 year.
Tell us about your past leadership experiences and how they are helping you in your current role.
My role as a media buyer taught me important lessons in time management, accountability, and organization that have helped me adapt to my new position. While working at Siemens, I had the experience of starting something from the ground up in creating and managing their Twitter account.
What blogs or websites do you read on a daily basis?
I usually scan the New York Times headlines then look to Twitter to filter through the Economist, Huffington Post, WSJ, and occasionally Thought Catalog for some inspiration.
If your friends and enemies had to describe you in three words, what would they be?
Intelligent, ambitious, adventurous.
What are you some of the myths surrounding working in the nonprofit sector that have been debunked by your experience?
Nonprofits are less efficient than for-profit companies. With a smaller staff, long, drawn out processes can be minimized and employees can easily maintain accountability. I’ve also seen that with a smaller staff and constrained budgets, employees often wear many hats allowing them to develop a myriad of skills and are not pigeonholed into a singular role. Nonprofits are mission based and success can be measured in many ways.
What book are you reading right now or what is your favorite book?
I just started Blood, Bones & Butter, The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef by Gabrielle Hamilton.
Where else have you lived?
Glenmoore, PA, New York, Beijing