For this month’s Candidate Spotlight, we sat down with BoardShift candidate, Ali Abbas to hear about how the program was instrumental in connecting him to his new board role, as part of the Not Far From the Tree (NFFTT) Steering Committee and how it changed his view of himself as a leader.
CA: How did you learn about the BoardShift program and what made you sign up?
AA: I had been telling my friends and family that I was feeling very secure in my professional role and that I felt it was time to give back to the community in an area outside of my work. A friend informed me about the BoardShift program, and I jumped at the opportunity and signed up soon after the program launched.
CA: Had you previously thought about joining a Board of Directors?
AA: Only on a very surface level. I knew that I wanted a new challenge that aligned with my passions and BoardShift helped me recognize that board work could fill this need. Before joining the program, I hadn’t started actively networking or applying to board opportunities. The governance world as a whole was a bit of a mystery to me. I didn’t really know where to start looking for these roles or if I had the skills that boards were looking for. BoardShift made the whole process straightforward. The curriculum gave me the foundational knowledge I needed, and the Matching Database streamlined the searching and applying process immensely.
CA: I’m so glad to hear that. And, what interested you about the role at NFFTT?
AA: When I first accessed the Matching Database, I was impressed to see all the great BoardShift organizations that are doing such meaningful work. I took my time to look through all the postings and I met with a couple of organizations. Ultimately, NFFTT stood out as I was aligned with their mission, and they are currently undertaking some technology upgrades that my professional background in the tech sector could meaningfully contribute to. It felt like a win-win.
CA: What about the meetings that didn’t result in an appointment? Did you find any value in those?
AA: Absolutely. I had a fantastic conversation with Tamara Connell at the Academy for Sustainable Innovation. We talked about sustainable leadership and what it means to promote a culture of sustainability. That conversation challenged me to redefine what I think it means to be a leader.
CA: That’s so interesting. Can you tell me more about that?
AA: For sure. I hadn’t previously thought of myself as a leader, even though I had been told by senior managers at work that I would do well in leadership positions. I suppose, like so many of us, I was suffering from a bit of “impostor syndrome”. But in my conversation with Tamara, and really during the BoardShift curriculum, I learned to recognize the elements of leadership that come naturally to me, and I am beginning to see and carve out space for myself to grow into my own version of a leader. I already know that my experiences as a Steering Committee Member at NFFTT will only cement this feeling and empower me to seek more challenges in my career and personal life as well.
CA: Do you have any advice for other BoardShift Candidates who are trying to secure their first board appointment?
AA: I would tell them to take a chance. Apply to the roles that you aren’t sure about and during the application process you will learn what feels right and understand where you can add value. I would also encourage candidates to attend BoardShift events and meet with the CivicAction team and the BoardShift organizations. You never know where a new connection could take you.