“Even in a non-profit context, issues of sharing power and mutual respect and dignity are essential and not universal.”
- Rebecca Vander Meulen, Executive Director of the J.C. Flowers Foundation
The not for profit world and its leaders are in crisis. Not to mention the people they serve. I want to honor and learn from these leaders. So this month we’re exploring Leadership Beyond Profit.
What does it look like to lead when the systems you rely on fall apart—almost overnight?
In the latest episode of Transformative Leadership Conversations, I sit down with Rebecca Vander Meulen, Executive Director of the J.C. Flowers Foundation.
Rebecca leads global health in Africa and re-entry work in NYC which requires her to have one foot in rural Southern Africa and the other in Manhattan. Rebecca unpacks for us what it means to lead with conviction, humility, and focus.
This conversation is raw, real, and timely. Rebecca shares what it’s like to lead through massive uncertainty, the quiet power of showing up without having all the answers, and how deep purpose keeps her grounded in the hardest moments.
Here are a few highlights from our conversation…
Why waiting for full clarity before communicating is a luxury leaders can’t afford in crisis—and how honest, imperfect communication builds more trust than silence.
The importance of recognizing how power—whether in a community, a boardroom, or a rural health clinic—operates subtly, and how sharing it must be an intentional, ongoing process.
What it means to lead with purpose when your work is directly tied to life and death, and how personal connection—not metrics or strategies—often becomes the true driver of lasting impact.
How Rebecca’s years in remote Mozambique taught her not only how to mobilize local expertise but also how to navigate and build trust in completely different systems.
Why the best social impact work isn’t born out of obligation or abstract logic, but out of deep personal passion—and finding your own way into the work that truly matters to you.
How the sudden dismantling of USAID funding has devastated public health systems globally, and why leaders like Rebecca are having to reimagine their strategies on the ground with little information and no time.
If you are experiencing your own leadership disruptions and you have a deep desire to lead from a place of purpose - I can’t wait for you to listen in on this conversation!
🎧 Listen to the full episode!
You’re always welcome to take a seat at the table—where every conversation has the potential for transformative change.
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