Ep 11: How to Think Globally & Transform Locally with Kathy Sibert, A-SPAN

“My employees' job is to take care of our clients; as a leader my job is to take care of them.” – Kathy Sibert Kathy Sibert firmly believes that when you are no longer excited about something you’re doing, it’s time for a change. In her case that change was life changing - she moved her family back to the U.S. after living all over the globe and gave up a corporate career to lead a then-floundering local non-profit serving the homeless in Arlington, VA. Since then Kathy has used her brilliance, commitment and incredible passion to transform A-SPAN into an award winning organization changing the lives of clients, staff and community members! What You'll Learn:

• What it was like for Kathy to transition from living and working overseas to running a local non-profit and how the two experiences are connected
• How Kathy transformed A-SPAN from a money losing, low morale organization into the incredible force for change
• How her global mindset informs her leadership style
• Differences in managing and motivating non-profit vs. corporate employees
• What Kathy learned in the corporate world that can help non-profit leaders succeed
• Difference between skill vs. cause-specific learning curves and how each can be conquered
• How do we undertake ending homelessness? (Hint: it's actually by providing homes to the homeless!)
• How to inspire caring, hope and activism in the community
• Reasons most people become homeless and what all of us have in common with a person living on the street
• What Kathy is doing to grow and develop her staff
• Importance for leaders to learn and gain support from peers
• How to recognize when it's time for a life and/or career change

Links & Resources

• A-SPAN – Kathy’s amazing non-profit providing support and housing to the homeless in Arlington, VA
• Doug Duncan interview – episode with President of Leadership Greater Washington referenced in Kathy’s interview
• Mark Bergel's interview - episode with Founder of A Wider Circle we referenced in Kathy’s interview
• Leadership Arlington – Arlington County leadership program Kathy recommends
• Center for Nonprofit Advancement - fantastic organization that awarded Kathy with an EXCEL award and recognized the A-SPAN board for their leadership.  Center's CEO Glen O'Gilvie was the featured guest on Episode 5.

About Kathy Sibert Kathleen Sibert has over 25 years of experience in financial management, staff development, strategic planning, marketing and communications. Her global work includes experience in banking, technology, marketing and the nonprofit sector in 29 countries on five continents. She earned her Master’s in Business Administration from Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona and her Bachelor of Science from Florida State University. She is currently the President/CEO of A-SPAN, which provides life-sustaining services for Arlington’s street homeless. In her role, Ms. Sibert led a strategic expansion of services, with a focus on ending homelessness through permanent housing. Since Ms. Sibert joined the organization in November 2008, A-SPAN won the contract to operate Arlington’s Emergency Winter Shelter, added the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Programs, and Nursing Services now delivered through a full-time nurse practitioner. She spearheaded Arlington’s inclusion in the national 100,000 Homes Campaign through 100 Homes Arlington, which has provided housing for 100 of the most medically vulnerable people in Arlington. Under her leadership, A-SPAN worked with Arlington’s Department of Human Services and other area homeless service providers to end veteran homelessness in Arlington last December, becoming just the second county in the nation to do so. In October 2015, A-SPAN opened a new, state-of-the-art Homeless Services Center, a first of its kind in the DC Metro area. The Center provides shelter, day and medical services including a five-bed medical respite program, year-round, all under one roof. An Arlington native, Ms. Sibert is the Co-Chair of the Outreach, Education, and Advocacy Committee of the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness. She received a 2012 Arlington Woman of Vision Award. Under her, A-SPAN was named Nonprofit of the Year for 2011 by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, honorable mention recipient of The Washington Post 2015 Award for Excellence, and Board Leadership Award 2015 winner. Ms. Sibert won the Gelman, Rosenberg, and Freedman 2015 EXCEL Award for leadership achievement in the areas of innovation, motivation, community building, ethical integrity, and strategic leadership.