Kaitlin Deschane, Program Director for M&M Area Community Foundation
Looking back, what personal experiences or milestones have had the greatest influence on your professional success?
Volunteering from when I first started walking has been the greatest influence on my choice of career. I am most proud of earning my masters in history.
What’s a failure or setback you experienced that ended up being a stepping stone to something greater? When I first went to school, I dreamed of working in museums, but was never been able to make that dream come true. But my skills as a historian became a great asset in every job I’ve had, as they have given me the ability to conduct research finding solutions, ideas and partners.
Can you share one of the most significant challenges you’ve faced in your career and how you overcame it?
I was diagnosed with dyslexia, which made it hard for me to learn in a traditional way. I have learned creative methods that work for me and allowed me to apply such thinking to all aspects of my career.
What do you wish more people understood about your field or industry?
Non-profit organizations are essential to our communities, and as such we need to do better in educating the next group of leaders on how to efficiently and effectively run these organizations.
What is one cause or issue that you’re especially passionate about, and why? I am especially passionate about education. It is incredibly important for youth and adults. I am forever a proponent of lifelong learning.
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