Nolan Henson
Introduction to Nolan Henson
Nolan Henson, a Flint, Michigan native and graduate of Flint Community Schools, shares insights about his educational and professional journey.
Educational Background
Nolan holds a degree in public and nonprofit administration and sociology.
He minored in leadership and earned a certificate in international nongovernmental organization administration from Central Michigan University.
His experiences have informed his understanding of systemic barriers faced by communities of color, motivating his career choices.
Current Role
Nolan is employed as a grants manager at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Flint.
His role involves overseeing the entire life cycle of grants to ensure organizational compliance.
He is particularly interested in a program specialist role, as it aligns with his internship experiences and aspirations to support racial equity, particularly within the W. K. Kellogg Foundation.
Collaboration with Leadership
In his current position, Nolan collaborates with the director of programs and the director of operations to plan grants.
He emphasizes the importance of trust in decision-making and organizational alignment with goals and vision.
Began his involvement with the Boys and Girls Club in 2018 as a member of the summer Vista program.
Commitment to Racial Equity and Inclusion
Nolan's commitment to racial equity is central to his work.
He cited an ongoing website update at the Boys and Girls Club, where he articulated the organization's mission: to provide equitable opportunities for Flint youth.
He noted the gaps in exposure to possibilities for marginalized communities, stressing the importance of community involvement.
Specific Initiatives
Focus on workforce development opportunities for teens, who represent 41% of youth served by the organization.
Encourages youth to explore various sports beyond the most popular options such as basketball and football, to include volleyball, lacrosse, and rugby.
Handling Different Collaboration Styles
When faced with collaborations of differing styles, Nolan prioritizes active listening.
His approach entails fostering a team mindset, reminding collaborators of shared goals centered around youth-centric objectives and workforce readiness.
He aims to align methodologies while developing tactical plans that respond to diverse needs.
Organizational Skills and Prioritization
Nolan keeps a detailed list of ongoing priorities and organizational deadlines to manage responsibilities effectively.
He utilizes tools such as Microsoft Outlook for daily communications and Salesforce for tracking grant-related data.
Microsoft Excel is used to maintain active spreadsheets concerning grants and compliance.
Multiple Calendar Management
He has experience managing busy calendars, particularly important during leadership transitions, such as the onboarding of a new CEO.
Prioritizes the scheduling of meetings by considering time zone differences when collaborating with external partners.
He adopts a flexible approach to accommodate changes by providing multiple options for scheduling meetings.
Customer Service Philosophy
Nolan previously worked in a customer service role within philanthropy, where he emphasized a constituent-focused approach.
He prioritized listening and adjusting to visitor knowledge levels at the Ruth Mott Foundation, ensuring individuals felt comfortable engaging with the institution.
His goal was to redefine the power structure between the foundation and the public and promote trust-based philanthropy.
Adaptability in Work Operations
Nolan addressed his adaptability during a sudden leadership transition, ensuring the integrity of important grant applications despite missing documentation.
He collaborated closely with the board chair and maintained transparent communication with funders about the organization's situation.
Handling Differences of Opinion
He values respectful discourse when encountering differing opinions, emphasizing mutual understanding and knowledge sharing.
He believes multiple perspectives strengthen team outcomes while keeping the main organizational goals in focus.
Receiving Feedback
Effective feedback was received during his role as an inclusion assistant at Central Michigan University, highlighting the need for timely recording of interactions.
By adapting his approach, he recognized the importance of flexibility and the potential efficiency gains from taking feedback respectfully.
Future Growth Areas
Nolan identified a need to learn more about grant-making systems, especially that of the Kellogg Foundation, to enhance his contributions.
Expressed a willingness to learn quickly and adapt to new systems and feedback to better define and carry out his responsibilities.
Long-term Goals
His long-term aspirations revolve around establishing a career in philanthropy, with plans to expand his understanding beyond local contexts.
Aims to contribute actively to improving organizational structures to promote trust and collaborative effectiveness with external partners.
Final Questions
The session concludes with Nolan having the opportunity to ask questions about the organization and its operations.