People in Fundraising, ep. 151: Laurel Teel, Development Leader for Child and Family Services

Laurel Teel is my first guest to represent Alabama in my three-years-old weekly nonprofit series "People in Fundraising." I am excited to get ever so closer to have all 50 U.S. states represented. Here's still looking at you, Mississippi and Arkansas. Laurel was a delight to talk with - honest, thoughtful, and sincere. 

In our conversation, Laurel discusses:

* The hard truths about working in child advocacy and family services-focused nonprofits. She candidly catalogues the mental and emotional impact about working in such emotionally charged and oftentimes very limited resourced environments. 

* The mentorship she has received from prior "People in Fundraising" guest Jason Lewis (he was on this podcast in late 2023 with Jennifer Harris).

* Her reaction to this quote from one of my favorite civic-minded thinkers and writers, David Brooks: "We assume we are being judged on our competence, but mostly we are judged on our warmth. Ethical leaders communicate a joyfulness in what they do and attract followers in part by showing pleasure." 

Thank you Laurel for a very open, honest, and insightful conversation. I wish you well in your future pursuits, and know that many in our audience will learn valuable info about your career history.