Introducing 2012 ProInspire Fellow: David Newberry

 

Name: Dave Newberry
Hometown: Stone Mountain, GA
Organization: Achievement Preparatory Academy
Previous Employer: Boon Lee Tutorial Services, Beach Capital, and Goldman Sachs

What inspired you to make the switch into the nonprofit sector?
My interest in pursuing a career promoting social change was, at least initially, prompted by my college academic advisor. But I've benefited from a variety of mentors throughout my career who inspired me to find a vocation in nonprofit leadership.

What is your current position, and a typical day like?
I'm the special projects manager at Achievement Prep, a top-rated Tier-1 public charter school serving Southeast DC.

A typical day starts at 6 AM in preparation for a 7 AM all-hands-on-deck meeting. At 7: 15 AM, we work together to move our scholars into class. Urgently. You'd need to be there to believe the pace. After the early morning rush, I'm working directly with the head of the school on strategic planning for our organization, preparing for meetings with community leaders, and collaborating in close quarters with both teachers and parents. At 4 PM, our whole organization comes together to make the afternoon dismissal happen smoothly. We then prepare for the next day (most of our team stays until around 7 PM). Every minute of my day counts and contributes to the lives of our scholars and this community; it's exhausting but exhilarating work.

Where did you work prior to making the switch?
After college, I worked as an investment analyst at Goldman Sachs (Private Wealth Management) in Atlanta and then at a private family office in West Palm Beach. Following those experiences, I transitioned into education by founding and managing a tutorial services business in Atlanta.

What is your professional background and areas of expertise?
My professional background is in investment management and in entrepreneurship.

What are you involved in outside of work?
I keep very busy outside of work. Most recently, I've become involved with BUILD, an organization that uses both lessons in business and excitement for entrepreneurship to propel disengaged, low-income students through high school and into college. With BUILD, I'm able to use my experience and passion in entrepreneurship toward my work in education.

Tell us about your past leadership experiences and how they are helping you in your current role.
As an analyst in the investment management industry, I had to lead as a team member and influence decisions through consensus building, which was great training for collaborating with a variety of stakeholders in the nonprofit sector. As an entrepreneur, I had to lead with a different skill set. The hardest questions I faced weren't positive (e.g., "How do I most increase sales?") but instead were normative (e.g., "Should I increase sales at all? If so, should I sell the same service? Does this comport with my values?"). Learning to create a vision without external direction, motivation, or expectation was an invaluable experience for the nonprofit sector.

The Chronicle of Philanthropy has reported that 82% of nonprofit CEOs are white. What does this mean to you and other people of color who aspire to leadership roles in the future?
The non-profit sector needs diversity in its leadership, even more so than the for-profit sector does. The most important social issues of today (in development, education, healthcare, etc.) are inextricably linked with minority communities. Representation in leadership is essential for progress in the sector. For those of us who aspire to non-profit leadership, this is a reminder of our obligation to our communities and our opportunity to make an impact.

What are you some of the myths surrounding working in the nonprofit sector that have been debunked by your experience?
Myth: Ambitious individuals should save a career in the nonprofit sector for retirement.

Experience: I've never seen any group of individuals come together and work as tirelessly as my organization does. While I personally know many professionals who have retired and done amazing work in the non-profit sector, it's no retirement. The hours can be long and the work is both challenging and urgent. If you're passionate about the sector, don't wait to embark on a career as a nonprofit leader. We need you today, not tomorrow.

What is your dream career if money were not a consideration?
I'd stay right here. I'm living the dream every day at Achievement Prep while collaborating with my class of ProInspire Fellows.

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