Today we’d like to introduce you to Deanna Murphy.
Hi Deanna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
My passion for nonprofit work started in early 2006 when I volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and continued through various service projects through my church and other opportunities in my community. In 2014, I co-founded Brigid’s Path in Kettering, and I came to Hannah’s Treasure Chest in 2017 to work in development. I stepped into the Executive Director role in 2019, and it has been my privilege to lead this incredible team through tremendous growth despite the struggles our community and world have faced in the last few years.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Working with the staff and volunteers has been a blessing. Their dedication to the mission and the children we serve is unwavering. I’m inspired by them every day. Working through the pandemic and its residual effects has not been as smooth. Our volunteer team is comprised mainly of retirees, and they were in the high-risk age group for COVID. It was a drawn-out struggle to prioritize my concern for their health with the growing demand for our services. In the end, we managed to remain open, committed to strict health measures, and served record numbers of children in consecutive years 2020, 2021, and 2022. I’m so proud of our team, and I’m humbled by them each day.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a nonprofit executive director, I see my primary role as an advocate. I advocate for my team of staff and volunteers. Without these amazing people, our mission wouldn’t be able to operate. I advocate for our partners. They are the “boots on the ground” folks who bring us the information we need to provide hand-selected items to children and families in need. Their work is hard, necessary, and admirable. I advocate for other leaders. We need their voices and skills in our community because as our leaders rise, so do our available resources. I advocate for our donors. Their in-kind and financial contributions allow us to provide children with items they need to grow and thrive. I’m on the side of the donor every time. I advocate for change. I like to get things done and make things happen. We shouldn’t fall prey to “the way it’s always been done.” We can always try something different, but if we keep doing what we’re doing, we’ll keep getting what we’ve got. And most importantly, I advocate for children. They deserve to grow up safe and healthy. They deserve to be dignified and educated. And they deserve to know that someone cares about them, even if that someone is an anonymous angel who provided them with clean underwear, a coat, and a baby doll that looks like them.
My personal motto at work is “Lead With Compassion”. There are policies and guidelines that must be followed for order and business. But we’re in the people business, and people deserve compassion. So, decisions are made through the lens of compassion for our team, partners, donors, and children.
I’m also a connector. I like to connect people with the right partner to ensure their needs are met. And in doing so, I’ve had the blessing of mentoring a few newer executive directors in the field. This is an incredible honor and one I take very seriously. I’m very proud to walk alongside these new-in-their-position directors and provide as much guidance as a can. We learn from each other and it’s a joy to see them grow in their careers as their organizations blossom under their leadership. I’m humbled they’d seek my help and it’s been my pleasure to offer it.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Commitment to integrity. Leading with an insane level of integrity creates a safe space for our team, partners, donors, and the children we collectively serve. I am committed to leading by example, never asking someone to do something I am unwilling to do myself. I pride myself on creating an environment where vulnerability is encouraged as a strength, new ideas lead to growth, and transparency builds trust. My daily goal is to be the trustworthy, honest, ethical leader our team deserves.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hannahstreasure.org
- Instagram: @hannahstreasure
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HannahsTreasureChest
