Lead with Heart | Philanthropy, Nonprofit Leadership, Nonprofit Management & Fundraising

E36: Creating an Inclusive Work Environment in Your Nonprofit with Carmita Semaan, founder and CEO of the Surge Institute

January 30, 2024 Haley Cooper | Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), Certified Stress Management Coach, Certified EmC Trainer Episode 36
E36: Creating an Inclusive Work Environment in Your Nonprofit with Carmita Semaan, founder and CEO of the Surge Institute
Lead with Heart | Philanthropy, Nonprofit Leadership, Nonprofit Management & Fundraising
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Lead with Heart | Philanthropy, Nonprofit Leadership, Nonprofit Management & Fundraising
E36: Creating an Inclusive Work Environment in Your Nonprofit with Carmita Semaan, founder and CEO of the Surge Institute
Jan 30, 2024 Episode 36
Haley Cooper | Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), Certified Stress Management Coach, Certified EmC Trainer

Welcome back to the Lead with Heart podcast. Today, I have Carmita Semaan, founder and CEO of the Surge Institute, on the podcast. The Surge Institute focuses on educating and developing leaders of color – who can then create transformative change for young people, their families, and our broader communities.

We talk about empowering leaders of color, creating a safe space for people to share their stories, uncovering inclusivity gaps in your organization, and more.

In this episode:

  • [01:21] Carmita’s path to nonprofit leadership and why she founded the Surge Institute
  • [06:03] Empowering leaders of color
  • [11:46] Core leadership skills that involve both the head and the heart
  • [15:23] Empowering leaders to drive change by listening to their communities
  • [20:40] Creating a safe space for people to share their stories
  • [28:16] Creating inclusive environments for diverse teams
  • [33:45] Uncovering inclusivity gaps in your organization


RESOURCES
Episode 17: Empowering Nonprofits through Data Equity and Communication Strategies with Meenakshi Das

CONNECT WITH CARMITA
Carmita is a builder, creator, seer, and problem solver. Her expertise lies in supporting and elevating the genius of emerging and seasoned leaders - particularly women and people of color - and shining a light on the brilliance and ingenuity that is too often overlooked and untapped in solving systemic issues. She has spent nearly 20 years in executive leadership in nonprofit and socially-responsible organizations following engineering, global strategy, and marketing success in the private sector early in her career.
Twitter: @CarmitaSemaan
Instagram: @carmitasemaan
LinkedIn: Carmita Semaan
Website: surgeinstitute.org




The EmC Masterclass by Dr. Lola Gershfeld will help you enhance your communication skills to raise more revenue for your mission. This groundbreaking Emotional Connection process has been integrated into top universities’ curriculum and recognized by international organizations. Use code LEADWITHHEART to enjoy a -10%.


CONNECT WITH HALEY

Haley is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Certified Stress Management Coach, and Certified EmC train the trainer. She is the Founder of The Savvy Fundraiser, a nonprofit consulting and coaching business. She has worked in both small and large nonprofit teams in the human services, homelessness, and youth sectors; and she specializes in the EmC process, nonprofit leadership, board development, and fundraising. Haley is a passionate, impact-driven, experienced nonprofit professional whose mission is to empower, elevate and engage nonprofit leaders to build healthy, thriving organizations.

Instagram: @thesavvyfundraiser
LinkedIn: Haley Cooper, CFRE
Website: thesavvyfundraiser.com


Show Notes

Welcome back to the Lead with Heart podcast. Today, I have Carmita Semaan, founder and CEO of the Surge Institute, on the podcast. The Surge Institute focuses on educating and developing leaders of color – who can then create transformative change for young people, their families, and our broader communities.

We talk about empowering leaders of color, creating a safe space for people to share their stories, uncovering inclusivity gaps in your organization, and more.

In this episode:

  • [01:21] Carmita’s path to nonprofit leadership and why she founded the Surge Institute
  • [06:03] Empowering leaders of color
  • [11:46] Core leadership skills that involve both the head and the heart
  • [15:23] Empowering leaders to drive change by listening to their communities
  • [20:40] Creating a safe space for people to share their stories
  • [28:16] Creating inclusive environments for diverse teams
  • [33:45] Uncovering inclusivity gaps in your organization


RESOURCES
Episode 17: Empowering Nonprofits through Data Equity and Communication Strategies with Meenakshi Das

CONNECT WITH CARMITA
Carmita is a builder, creator, seer, and problem solver. Her expertise lies in supporting and elevating the genius of emerging and seasoned leaders - particularly women and people of color - and shining a light on the brilliance and ingenuity that is too often overlooked and untapped in solving systemic issues. She has spent nearly 20 years in executive leadership in nonprofit and socially-responsible organizations following engineering, global strategy, and marketing success in the private sector early in her career.
Twitter: @CarmitaSemaan
Instagram: @carmitasemaan
LinkedIn: Carmita Semaan
Website: surgeinstitute.org




The EmC Masterclass by Dr. Lola Gershfeld will help you enhance your communication skills to raise more revenue for your mission. This groundbreaking Emotional Connection process has been integrated into top universities’ curriculum and recognized by international organizations. Use code LEADWITHHEART to enjoy a -10%.


CONNECT WITH HALEY

Haley is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Certified Stress Management Coach, and Certified EmC train the trainer. She is the Founder of The Savvy Fundraiser, a nonprofit consulting and coaching business. She has worked in both small and large nonprofit teams in the human services, homelessness, and youth sectors; and she specializes in the EmC process, nonprofit leadership, board development, and fundraising. Haley is a passionate, impact-driven, experienced nonprofit professional whose mission is to empower, elevate and engage nonprofit leaders to build healthy, thriving organizations.

Instagram: @thesavvyfundraiser
LinkedIn: Haley Cooper, CFRE
Website: thesavvyfundraiser.com