Introducing 2012 ProInspire Fellow: Michael Bielman
Name: Michael Beilman
Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
Previous Employer: The Mark Travel Corporation
Current Organization: FHI 360
What inspired you to make the switch into the nonprofit sector?
I have always wanted to work for a non-profit, particularly an in an NGO setting in international development. This interest was spurred by an internship with a Microfinance Institute in rural Ecuador. Upon graduating I applied to many non-profits, think tanks, and NGOs but I found that even getting a follow up phone interview proved challenging. After months of applying to these jobs I decided to pursue work in the private-sector and accepted a position as a business analyst. I value the experience and knowledge I gained through this work, but I always knew in the back of my mind that I wanted to transition these skills to mission driven work as opposed to simply impacting the “bottom line”. When I saw ProInspire’s job listing on Idealist.org I knew this was my opportunity to make the transition.
What is your current position, and a typical day like?
I am a part of the “Strategic Planning and Analysis” team at FHI 360. I typically have at least one meeting if not many more on a daily basis; this makes balancing my workload challenging. What I enjoy about my position is that outside of regular meetings I do not have a “typical” day, each new day provides unique new challenges. This is in stark contrast to my old job which followed a much more rigid structure with the same daily tasks of sending performance recaps and updating or creating automated financial dashboards.
I am involved in three main projects so far: sub-lead for business performance management, drafting competitive analyses and working in a supportive role for our domestic strategy working group, and also supporting a funders and partner’s database project. I am grateful for the opportunity to make an immediate impact and take on projects of varying involvement at various levels of the organization.
Where did you work prior to making the switch?
I was a Business Analyst at The Mark Travel Corporation; supporting Southwest Airlines Vacations, Funjet Vacations, and several other online-travel-agencies (OTAs).
What is your professional background and areas of expertise?
I graduated with a BS in Economics and a BA in Spanish. I am currently pursuing an MSc in Economics through The Johns Hopkins University.
What are you involved in outside of work?
My studies dictate my free time at the moment; but, when I am able to take a break from the textbooks I enjoy exploring D.C. and attending lectures at various forums. In Milwaukee I was involved in Urban and community gardens through two organizations, Growing Power and Sweetwater Organics. These two organizations put Milwaukee at the forefront of Urban agriculture/aquaponics; I look forward to volunteering in this capacity in D.C. I enjoy playing the banjo and I am slowly training for Triathlons next summer.
Tell us about your past leadership experiences and how they are helping you in your current role.
I was involved in competitive swimming from the age of 5 through my entire college career. Through the sport I not only learned invaluable lessons about dedication and balancing workload; but, I also gained leadership and teamwork skills. I have carried these lessons into my professional life.
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see play the lead role?
Everyone always mentions how much Andy Samburg resembles me, so I suppose he would be a great lead role in the story of my life: Life in the Fast-lane : The Life and Times of Michael Beilman.
If you won $20 million dollars in the lottery and had to donate it to a social organization – which one would it be, and why?
I would likely donate the money to the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL). J-PAL is a network of affiliated professors around the world who are united in their use of randomized evaluations to answer questions critical to poverty alleviation. J-PAL's mission is to reduce poverty by ensuring that policy is based on scientific evidence. J-PAL collaborates with governments, NGOs and international development organizations to scale-up programs found to be effective and aims to create a "culture of demanding evidence" to back up policy in the developing world. International development is a multi-billion dollar industry, if we focus our efforts on those programs that are most effective we will realize the potential to eliminate world poverty.
What is your dream career if money was not an option?
High School Teacher and Swim Coach, or the person that selects music for movies.
Where do you hang out in the DC area?
I enjoy studying at Kramerbooks, the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) library, and the Library of Congress on occasion. I just relocated to the Petworth neighborhood and I am a big fan of the local restaurants and bars, I also really appreciate what H Street has to offer. I enjoy biking Rock Creek Parkway on the weekends.
What book are you reading right now or what is your favorite book?
I am currently reading Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury & The Price of Inequality by Joseph Stiglitz