29. Leveraging Young Professionals to Advance Your Mission - Shelley Danner

Shelley Danner Challenge Detroit We Are For Good Podcast

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Overview

Meet Shelley. She's united her business acumen and passion for impact into a super cool project. Challenge Detroit offers paid fellowships to live, work - and hopefully stay - in the Motor City while pairing a job with nonprofit service. Challenge Detroit was founded in response to the exodus of young talent leaving Detroit and Michigan. Shelley shares how to leverage young professionals in your community and get them working on the frontlines to the improve their own community.

“There are all kinds of leaders. It is not just the CEO or Executive Director of a nonprofit. I have learned so much from having that humility and asking questions.”

— Shelley Danner, Program Director, Challenge Detroit

Shelley’s transition from the for-profit to non-profit world
The mission of Challenge Detroit
Challenge Detroit’s innovative model for attracting and retaining talent
Shelley’s top leadership nuggets for young professionals
Examples of projects Challenge Detroit has implemented in collaboration with local nonprofits
Utilizing different design processes to collaborate and develop new projects
Shelley’s one good thing: get out into nature

Powerful Quotes:

“I have this real desire to be a part of making a positive impact.” -Shelley

“It is all about adding capacity to nonprofits in our community.” -Shelley

“Young professionals are really trying to find their place in the world.” -Becky

“We are all creative.” - Shelley

“Gen Z and millennials need the “give back element” to the jobs and careers we pick. We are constantly seeking connection with people, meaning behind causes, and advice from people about leadership development.” -Julie

“There are all kinds of leaders. It is not just the CEO or Executive Director of a nonprofit. I have learned so much from having that humility and asking questions.” -Shelley

“There is such incredible work being done in nonprofits in Detroit. We have the honor to work alongside them.” -Shelley

“We have done projects on homelessness, transportation, youth development, arts and culture, environmental sustainability, and more.” -Shelley

“We want to plant seeds of service and philanthropy early on. This needs to be a part of our DNA as human beings. We can go in and use our gifts where there are gaps.” -Becky

Shelley’s Leadership Nuggets for Young Professionals

Create space to have self reflection and reflection with others.
We are all creative. Use the design process to look at global issues and also apply it to ourselves and our own leadership.
Prototype - design your own experiments to help you form a new habit, work towards a goal, etc.
Develop authentic relationships. At the end of the day, people matter so much and it is all about relationships.
What can you learn from others? There are people around you with decades of experience.