Can I Ask You Something? Vol. 5

Meredith Wood, Arthritis Foundation

As a longtime events skeptic, I’ve been about what it really means to gather people together—not just the logistics, but the purpose beneath them. Priya Parker writes in The Art of Gathering that the first step to creating a meaningful gathering is committing to a “bold, sharp purpose”: one clear thing you want people to walk away with, which then shapes every other decision.

That idea has been sitting with me, in part because I’ve seen it embodied so well by people I admire. One of them is Meredith Wood, Massachusetts Executive Director of the Arthritis Foundation, and one of the most thoughtful and generous conveners I know—professionally and personally. Meredith pays close attention to the details, the flow, and the experience of a gathering, but never as ends in themselves. Everything is in service of that purpose, whether she’s hosting a dinner party or leading a complex organizational conversation.

That same intentionality shows up throughout our conversation below. Meredith reflects candidly on perfectionism, people-pleasing, and boundaries in nonprofit leadership, offering a perspective that challenges some of the narratives we often default to in mission-driven work. Her insights feel especially resonant as many of us navigate ongoing transition: personally, professionally, and collectively.

Hi Meredith! What helps you decide what to say yes to - and what to let go of?

I'm very much a perfectionist and people pleaser, so saying no is still a habit I'm trying to develop. From a professional standpoint, I try to frame things in context of what the actual value add of an action will be for mission impact—and then set a time estimate plus 30% for the activity so I have a prayer of actually creating a realistic to-do list. I still overload most days, but the practice of being more aware of what I'm saying yes to is helping me feel like I'm being more intentional. The unfortunate reality is that there will always be more to do than time to do it, and I am slowly coming around to believing that I, personally, don't have to do it all.

What’s one thing you wish you could tell your younger self?
It would have been incredible to realize that learning and growth was actually the whole point in my 20s! I feel like I spent so much time trying to prove that I had it all figured out that I missed out on a lot of opportunity to ask questions and listen well. (Local woman recognizes how imposter syndrome has impacted her professional development! More at 10)

Who or what are you learning from lately?

I've really been enjoying back episodes of Julia Louis-Dreyfus' podcast "Wiser Than Me." She has beautifully candid conversations with women who are older and wiser than she is, and then recaps the conversations with her mother—which usually leaves me in tears. I'm also so grateful for a relatively new group of girlfriends that has formed in my town—we're all in different professional fields and personal situations but the authenticity and solidarity is really energizing.

What’s one boundary you’re holding right now?

This is going to sound a little counterintuitive to the idea of boundaries in a traditional "work-life balance" sense—but I'm spending a lot of time pushing back on my family's assertion that I work too much, haha. The truth is that—when appropriate! Definitely not all the time—I really, really take value from fully throwing myself into my work, especially if I'm working with a really great team dynamic. I know it's such a fraught conversation in the mission-driven space—underfunded, overworked, etc.—but at this point in my career, it feels right for me personally to dive in deep and frequently.

What values guide your work when the path forward isn’t clear?
On really disheartening days, President Obama used to tell his staff that "better is good," as a reminder that incremental progress was valid, even if the ultimate goal wasn't accomplished—it's not really a value but something I find myself clinging to increasingly as the world continues to become more dangerous, especially for vulnerable populations.

I think in fundraising especially we end up with some strange bedfellows—and the idea of "redemptive philanthropy" makes my skin crawl a lot of the time—but the reality is that no situation will ever be perfect, and (almost) any opportunity to influence net positive impact for your mission is ultimately a step in the right direction.

The other phrase that plays often in my head is "if there's no wind, row." Our current state of affairs, especially, has me feeling fortunate to be in a field that is so well aligned with my values, and affords me opportunities to make incremental progress—or at least help support the progress—towards the kind of world I actually want to live in.

Thank you again, Meredith! You can find out more about the Arthritis Foundation by clicking here.

 Interested in having your work featured in Can I Ask You Something? You can fill out the quick intro form here and I'll get back to you soon!

Can I Ask You Something? Vol. 4

Wendy Rice, Vermont Connector

Wendy Rice's best leadership teacher right now is her five-year-old daughter. 

She's learning about bravery from a kid who can hold a hissing cockroach. About collaboration from three little girls who held hands through an entire race, deciding together when to run and when to rest. About the kind of leadership where everyone's opinions matter and everyone's needs get met.

 Those lessons show up everywhere in Wendy's work with Vermont Connector—the statewide mutual aid network she founded that's helped over 800 Vermont families. She's building systems of care that started in her garage and grew into something powerful; not because she had all the answers, but because she knew when to lead, when to follow, and when to create space for others to step up.

 This is what community infrastructure really looks like: not perfect, not polished, but deeply rooted in connection and trust. What a delight it was for me to get to learn from Wendy's words!

Hi Wendy! Tell us about Vermont Connector
Vermont Connector is about bringing people together to care for one another and strengthen our communities. From sharing baby gear with families, to coordinating mutual aid during floods, to important policy and advocacy conversations, our work is rooted in connection, service, and the belief that neighbors can create real change when they act together

What’s something you want people to know about your organization?

At Vermont Connector, we’ve accomplished outsized results with a lean structure. For much of our history, we’ve been a staff of one. In collaboration with an incredible network of social service agencies, businesses, and community volunteers, however, we’ve been able to achieve outsized impact. Together we’ve built systems of care that ease burdens for families, support caseworkers, and strengthen community resilience. 

My background in community development and disaster response has helped knit these efforts together—but the real story is what happens when neighbors share their abundance for the good of others. The challenges facing Vermont families are growing, and the times call for us to scale. To do so, we need to invest in organizational sustainability and deepen the ways we partner for the future. The Baby Product Exchange, while essential and deeply impactful, is only one part of that vision. 

Vermont Connector is building a broader portfolio of mutual aid coordination—developing tools, curriculum, and convenings that make it easier for local leaders to respond to community needs. We are also positioned to offer technical and organizational consulting for partners who want to adapt projects like ours to their own communities. 

Our work builds on a history of statewide coordination. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we mobilized resources to meet urgent needs. After the 2023–2024 floods, we supported community recovery across the state. We also helped establish a historic marker in Brattleboro honoring the long-standing partnership between the School for International Training and the Peace Corps—a reminder of the power of collective action and community storytelling. 

Looking ahead, we are eager to expand our services and strengthen Vermont’s mutual aid network. Plans include developing a hands-on school curriculum focused on community mapping, needs assessment, and advocacy; launching a podcast to amplify local voices; and serving as a statewide convener for mutual aid organizations. With additional support, we can scale these efforts and continue creating the systems of care and connection that Vermont families need now more than ever.

What’s something your organization is proud of right now?
I’m incredibly proud of how the Baby Product Exchange has grown from a small, grassroots idea into a statewide program making a real impact for Vermont families. 

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, I wanted to do something tangible to support fellow parents. I started collecting baby gear and diapers out of my garage, thinking it would just be a temporary effort. Within six weeks, I had 80 donations stacked to the ceiling and quickly realized I needed community partners to help with storage and distribution.  

Those early collaborations turned into something much bigger. What began as a small act of collective care has evolved into a full-fledged program supported by two Vermont Early Childhood Fund grants from Building Bright Futures. To date, we’ve collected 2,702 pieces of equipment, partnered with 646 individuals—including donors, volunteers, and social service providers—and helped 783 families across Vermont. We’ve also received equipment donations from six local businesses. 

What excites me most is seeing community champions step up to organize their own collection drives and leverage their own networks to meet local needs. In a time of declining federal budgets and shifting policy landscapes, especially around human services, community-driven initiatives like the Baby Product Exchange are more critical than ever. I’m proud of how organically this came together and how deeply it’s been embraced by the community. It’s proof that when people come together, small acts of generosity can spark something powerful and lasting.

What’s something bringing you joy in your life right now?
Twenty five years ago, almost to the day, I first set foot on the African continent. I was an agroforestry volunteer with the Peace Corps in a small, Sahelian village, in northern Cameroon. After two years in Kolofata, I extended my tour to design an ecotourism and national park management program Peace Corps Cameroon. These three years in Cameroon, left an indelible impression on me and was foundational to my career in community development and public service. For a decade, I continued my work in international development on USAID and US State Department projects. My last overseas assignment in the Central African Republic ended in 2010. The following decade, my work still focused on community development, but my focus shifted from international aid to disaster response/long-term community recovery, gender equity in the workforce, human services, and non-profit leadership. 

Fast forward to September 2025, and I was wheels down again in Africa after a fifteen year hiatus. Serendipitously, Burlington, VT has a Sister City relationship with Thies-East, Senegal. In 2024, the Burlington City Council adopted a resolution to create the Sister City, which builds off of a long-standing State Partnership between Senegal and the Vermont National Guard. Because of my prior African work experience and francophony, I was invited to participate in a scoping mission and relationship building tour. The seven person delegation - a combination of non-profit and business leaders, journalists and writers, VT Army National Guard, Alliance Francaise members, and a Senegal native - spent a week in Thies-East working with the Mayor’s full cabinet. 

We created a common vision, did work planning, and visited a local hospital and primary school to reinforce our understanding of needs and opportunities. Although the trip was short, we successfully built a bridge between our two municipalities and laid the groundwork for future collaborations centered on environment, culture, education, and health. This coming year, we will continue to define our partnership and advance sister city goals of global peace and understanding and people to people connections through citizen diplomacy and action. 

When friends and family asked about the trip, I couldn’t help but describe it as “soul food.” I felt so enriched to be back in Africa, enveloped by the warmth of African hospitality. The trip reawakened my senses and body memories of my first days on the continent as a Peace Corps Volunteer. 

Looking forward, this trip also brings me joy and hope because the Sister City ideal is limitless in what it can be. The Sister City is rooted in the simple but powerful idea that communities can shape their own relationships across borders—beyond the constraints of traditional government programs or formal diplomatic channels. Unlike federally directed initiatives, Sister City collaborations are inherently flexible and community-driven. With committed leadership, mutual respect, and a shared spirit of amity, two cities can co-create whatever form of exchange best serves their people. 

At its heart, a Sister City relationship is an open canvas, allowing neighbors across the globe to imagine, design, and build enduring connections that reflect their own values and aspirations. At a time of deep political divisiveness in the United States, these partnerships offer an essential opportunity to build bridges, foster understanding, and remind us of our shared humanity.

Who or what are you learning from lately?

Recently, my best teacher has been my five-year-old daughter—a COVID baby who just started kindergarten. While she might seem like an unlikely source of professional wisdom, she continues to impart lessons that feel surprisingly relevant to leadership and community-building. 

The first is bravery and enthusiasm for new things. She can just as easily hold a hissing cockroach as she can walk into a brand-new classroom on the first day of school without a single tear. Without fear of failure or judgment, or crippling perfectionism, she throws herself into hard things—learning to play chess, trying out skateboarding, or tackling unfamiliar challenges with joy and curiosity. 

She also teaches me about empathy and justice. She’s the kid who stops to check on anyone crying on the playground. She doesn’t look away from the rows of tents along the bike path, instead immediately decrying why any human is unhoused. Her clear sense of fairness and care for others reminds me daily of the kind of leadership our world needs—rooted in compassion, advocacy, and an unwavering belief in equity. 

And then there’s her ease in connecting with people. At Shelburne Farms, she’ll happily hold hands with kids she’s never met. Or at a recent intergenerational political gathering, she naturally connected with Generation Alpha and septuagenarians alike. She sees no boundaries—just opportunities to connect. 

Perhaps the most profound lesson she teaches me, though, is about leadership itself. This spring, she ran the Burlington City Marathon’s one-mile fun run with two of her closest friends. The three little girls held hands the entire race, smiling all the way. Collectively, they decided when to take breaks and when to resume running. Everyone’s opinions mattered, and everyone’s needs were met. 

Sometimes, she leans in strongly—being directive and assertive when it’s needed. Other times, she steps back, letting her friends take the lead while she becomes the supportive, encouraging cheerleader. Her ability to adapt, collaborate, and share leadership so naturally is a reminder that influence isn’t always about being in front; it’s about knowing when to lead, when to follow, and when to walk alongside. 

Professionally, these lessons are transformative. Leading through uncertainty requires courage, empathy, adaptability, and collaboration. It’s about creating space for others to shine, honoring different voices, and building bridges across differences. Like my daughter, we thrive when we stay curious, approach challenges without fear of failure or judgement, remain flexible and remember that every interaction is an opportunity to connect, learn, and grow. Sometimes, the best leadership lessons come from the smallest teachers.

What values guide your work when the path forward isn't clear?

When the road ahead is uncertain, I return to my core values: community and service. I believe deeply in the power of showing up for one another and leaving the world — or the “campsite” as my dear Uncle John always used to say— better than I found it. This personal creed grounds me when decisions are complex and answers aren’t obvious. 

For me, leadership starts with transparency, accountability, and integrity. I strive to make choices that have a systems-level impact, meaning they ripple beyond individual moments and strengthen the collective good. I strive to listen closely, seek diverse voices, and ensure the communities most affected by decisions are represented in shaping them. Equity and accessibility are central to everything I do. 

True leadership isn’t about being the most vocal— it’s about creating space where others can lead, too. Sometimes that means stepping forward; other times, it means stepping aside when someone else is better suited to guide the work. I avoid duplicating efforts and instead lean into collaboration, because sustainable solutions come from harnessing the strengths of many, not just one. When the path isn’t clear, I’ve learned that staying rooted in these values — service, integrity, inclusion, and equity — creates its own kind of compass. It doesn’t eliminate uncertainty, but it ensures that the work, and the community it serves, continue to move in the right direction.

Want to be featured in Can I Ask You Something? You can fill out the quick interest form here and I’ll get back to you soon!

Can I Ask You Something? Vol. 3

Marilla Harris-Vincent, Connecticut River Conservancy

Last night, I hosted a small gathering for nonprofit folks to talk about boundaries: how we set them, honor them, and hold space for others while protecting our own energy. It was one of those evenings that reminded me boundaries aren’t walls; they’re roots. They keep us steady in the work and connected to who we are beyond it.

That theme carries into this week’s Can I Ask You Something? conversation with Marilla Harris-Vincent, River Steward for New Hampshire at the Connecticut River Conservancy. Living beside the river she protects, Marilla shows how advocacy becomes personal when it’s rooted in values.

Tell us about the Connecticut River Conservancy!
The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed.

CRC has been a steward of the Connecticut River and tributary streams since 1952. Our programs include advocacy, aquatic invasive species management, dam removal, habitat restoration, migratory fish surveys, recreation, trash cleanups, and water quality monitoring.

Through collaborative partnerships in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, CRC leads and supports science-based efforts for natural and life-filled rivers from source to sea. We are uniquely positioned to leverage local, state, regional, and federal resources as an environmental nonprofit dedicated to the entire Connecticut River watershed.

Our values of inclusion, collaboration, resilience, and stewardship guide our ongoing work to address the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Together through community engagement and education, we’re dedicated to ensuring equitable access and healthy rivers for all. Learn more at ctriver.org.

What helps you decide what to say yes to - and what to let go of?
In my role as the River Steward for NH, there are endless avenues to pursue. My primary focus is on policy and advocacy in New Hampshire, but that is both vast and vague. At times it can feel overwhelming because there is always something that needs attention and it’s all important. It is discouraging when I miss a deadline to comment on a legislative bill, or have to turn down a project, but understanding that I won’t be able to do everything I want actually feels quite freeing. When I was hired, the other River Stewards told me that one of the biggest challenges in this role is learning how to say no and setting that boundary, because otherwise you could work endlessly.

Being realistic, organized, and resilient helps me prioritize my workload. This role is very fluid- my focus shifts constantly, so I have to adapt to what is happening at that point in time. For example, the legislative session in NH runs from January-June, so during that time I am very focused on policy. The summer months are our field season, so I am on the river removing aquatic invasive species, helping research migratory fish, going on community paddles, or scouting new restoration sites. As the field season comes to a close, I am starting to focus on grant writing, which helps support all of the important work I do. Since I started this job in January 2025, I have been heavily involved in hydropower relicensing, but that is now slowing down, so other priorities will fill my time.

In general, I like to break down my responsibilities into four categories: Important and urgent tasks; important but not urgent tasks; urgent but not important tasks; and not urgent and not important tasks. This ensures effective time management, task allocation, and helps me decide what to say yes to and what to let go of.

What’s one thing you want people to know about your nonprofit?
We are a group of hard-working, dynamic, and passionate river enthusiasts– it’s truly a wonderful place to work! At the CRC, we like to boast that we are the only nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the entire Connecticut River watershed, which includes NH, VT, MA, and CT.

CRC has many focus areas, including river restoration and dam removal; water quality monitoring; aquatic invasive species; recreation; migratory fish and aquatic species; and policy and advocacy. Because we have very diverse expertise, both in personnel and programs, it puts us in a great position to make a meaningful impact in the watershed.

What’s something your organization is proud of right now?
For over 13 years, we have been involved in the relicensing process of five hydropower dams on the mainstem on the Connecticut River in NH, VT, and MA. They are 30-50 year licenses and the conditions that will be included in the license have significant and long-lasting implications for the river, wildlife, and communities. It's an esoteric process, so it’s essential to provide opportunities for public education and engagement, which is most often done by writing public comments.

Since 2013, CRC has been advocating for the strongest possible license to protect this public trust resource and support a healthier river for decades to come. Part of the relicensing process is the state 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC), which is a certification under the Clean Water Act and ensures that these facilities comply with state water quality standards. CRC deemed that the WQC in all three states did not go far enough to protect the river, so we filed an appeal of the 401 WQC with each of the issuing state agencies.

This is a moment of pride for us because it’s the first time CRC has spearheaded an appeal process, which is very exciting and empowering. We are still in the early stages of litigation, but are actively fundraising and raising awareness about why this appeal is so important.

What’s something bringing you joy in your life right now?
I am currently housesitting for my parents on their small homestead in rural Vermont. I’m surrounded by wilderness, a bountiful garden, farm animals, and the tranquil sounds of nature. For each meal I go to the garden or the orchard and pick fresh fruits and vegetables – it is bringing me so much peace and joy.

What values guide your work when the path forward isn’t clear?
As mentioned in the first question, there are many directions that my work pulls me. Our world is in turmoil, which is discouraging and dispiriting, but I feel so lucky that my position gives me a sense of pride and meaning. What I do is important and it’s rewarding to see how my work affects the environment around me, creating a ripple of positive change. I live on the Connecticut River, and so my efforts directly impact my personal life, which is a lot of pressure - it can be hard to disconnect the two.

But I think because of how my work and personal life are amalgamated, the values I possess beautifully weave through both. As an environmental advocate, both personally and professionally, the climate crisis is at the forefront of my mind. I try to walk through life with intention and awareness of how my actions impact the world and those around me. I value being kind, open-minded, and adaptable; I strive to be creative and challenge myself. Each decision I make, whether at work or at home, is a small expression of who I am and my values.

Thanks so much for these reflections, Marilla! You can find out more about the Connecticut River Conservancy here.

Want to be featured in Can I Ask You Something? You can fill out the quick interest form here and I’ll get back to you soon!

Can I Ask You Something? Vol. 2

Haley Bash, Donor Organizer Hub

This month’s Can I Ask You Something? features Haley Bash of Donor Organizer Hub, an organization that trains and supports volunteer fundraisers for progressive movement groups.

Their work is rooted in the belief that fundraising isn’t just about raising money - it can also be a tool for building community and mobilizing people toward long-term change.

It’s an approach I really relate to. So much of my fundraising work with clients is about helping them see it not as a burden, but as a practice that can reflect their values and strengthen relationships. Haley’s responses are a great reminder of that.

Haley Bash, Donor Organizer Hub

Tell us about Donor Organizer Hub
Donor Organizer Hub trains, coaches, and convenes everyday people to fundraise for progressive movement organizations they care about—and to build teams so they don’t have to do it alone. We believe fundraising can be organizing, and that everyone has networks they can mobilize to resource movements. By supporting volunteer fundraisers and the groups they work with, we help build sustainable grassroots power and reduce dependence on wealthy donors and institutions.

What helps you decide what to say yes to - and what to let go of?
We say yes when opportunities strengthen the fundraising leadership of people organizing for progressive change. That means trainings, coaching, and convenings that help volunteers move from giving → fundraising → coaching for the causes they’re deeply invested in. We let go of work that might raise money in the short term but doesn’t build community power or leadership for the long haul.

What’s one thing you want people to know about your nonprofit?
That fundraising isn’t just for the wealthy or “well-connected.” At Donor Organizer Hub, we train and coach everyday people to fundraise for progressive movement causes they care about—and to build teams so they don’t have to do it alone. We believe everyone has networks they can mobilize, and when those networks are organized for movement causes, they become a powerful source of long-term progressive change

What’s something your organization is proud of right now?
We’ve trained and coached thousands of volunteer fundraisers who have raised millions for grassroots, progressive organizations. But what we’re proudest of is seeing participants step into leadership—hosting house parties, coaching their peers, and sustaining their groups. Watching people grow into leaders who strengthen movement infrastructure is the real win.

Who or what are you learning from lately?
We’re learning from the volunteers we coach, who constantly find creative ways to make fundraising joyful even in tough times. They turn birthdays, hobbies, and community events into fundraising opportunities—knitting for pledges, asking at dinner tables, or connecting it to milestones in their lives.
That creativity doesn’t just raise money; it reminds us that fundraising is relational, rooted in joy, and a way for people to build power together when the challenges around us feel overwhelming.

What values guide your work when the path forward isn’t clear?
We’re guided by values centered on relational connection, grassroots power, creativity, and reflective learning. We believe fundraising is organizing, and even small, everyday asks can be an invitation into the movement, rooted in trust and shared values—not transactional appeals. We trust in the power of everyday people to resource movements, resisting over-reliance on high-net-worth donors and honoring community-rooted fundraising. When uncertainty arises, we lean into creative, joy-filled tactics—from bake sales to themed parties, we mobilize through fun, values-aligned engagement. Finally, we follow a cycle of planning-doing-reflecting, continuously learning and adapting what works in real-time conditions.

Thanks so much, Haley! You can take a gander at Donor Organizer Hub’s website here.

A few quick things before you go:

• I’m facilitating a free, day-long session in Bennington on September 30 called Fundraising That Builds Trust (Without Burning You Out) through the Heritage Family Credit Union Community Conversation series. Find out more and register here.

• The first Way We Work gathering is happening on October 23 in Wallingford, and it’s all about boundaries. It’ll be a (truly) fun couple of hours of reflection, conversation, and space to be with others who get it. If you're local and curious, you can read more or grab a spot here.

• Want to be featured in Can I Ask You Something? You can fill out the quick interest form here and I’ll get back to you soon!

• I also have space this fall for a couple of new client projects. If you could use some support, just reply - I’d be happy to learn more about what you’re working on.

Can I Ask You Something? Vol. 1

In the mission-driven world, it can be hard to find real opportunities for open, human-to-human conversations across organizations. Even at conferences or networking events, we don't usually get a chance to turn to someone new and say something like, “Hey, I'm having trouble setting a boundary. Will you tell me about one that's important to you and how you got to that decision?”

As I’ve said before, I'm so into the minutiae of other people's day-to-day lives. There are great things we can learn from each other when we make time to ask, and to listen:

What feels crappy to you right now? 

What is something joyful about your day?

What do you think everyone should know about your organization, but maybe doesn't?

We work in a sector where there's often such a scarcity mindset: of time, of money, of emotional bandwidth. There's little time given to slow down, to celebrate, and to contemplate. Sometimes we just want to ask questions. And sometimes we just want to be listened to.

That's one of the reasons I'm so excited to introduce my new interview series, Can I Ask You Something? Every month, I'll feature someone working in or around the nonprofit sector, taking time to pause in their day to share things we can relate to, learn from, celebrate, or even disagree with. 

Collective knowledge is so important, and something I try to center in my work. It helps break down our silos, burst out of our bubbles, and remember that there are other people out there. (And if you'd like to be one of those people, you can go ahead and fill out a quick interest form here.)

I'm thrilled to introduce the first person to share with us: Alexandra Pratt, Director of the West Tisbury Free Public Library on Martha's Vineyard. I've known Alexandra since we were both sophomore transfers at Smith College. For the last two decades, I’ve watched her be one of the coolest people I know: farmer, librarian, outdoor bathtub owner, world traveler, and camping buddy. Read on for what she has to share.

Alexandra Pratt on the left - librarian extraordinaire!

What’s one thing you want people to know about your organization?
The West Tisbury Library has been ranked a five star library several years in a row by the Library Journal.

What’s something your organization is proud of right now?
Our Community "Freedge" (free fridge)! Modelled on free fridges and pantries across the world, it is a space anyone can donate to and anyone can take food from. To me, it represents what is at the heart of librarianship: sharing resources and space with each other to build community and help each other. 

What’s one thing you wish you could tell your younger self?

Don't work so hard! Even if you are passionate and devoted to something, self care needs to come first. The adage “you can’t pour from an empty cup” is true! In public service the drive can be to give as much as yourself as possible but that is not sustainable. Show up, work hard, keep caring, but make it sustainable, for the good of yourself and your organization. 

What’s one boundary you’re holding right now?

Saying no to things! Or at least saying “not right now.” Professionally and personally, I love helping folks and trying to say yes to as much as possible, but realistically there is only so much money in the budget, time, and energy! Slowing down and thinking more strategically about the best use of my energy and the library resources has been very helpful to prevent burnout.

What’s something that happened today that stayed with you?

Today, like so many other days here at our public library, I am struck by how rare shared public spaces like this are; and how truly special they are. 
From unhoused neighbors staying cool in the AC, to year-round residents getting books for summer reading, to tourists here for storytime on a rainy day, folks of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds join in our programs - like community dance classes, improv classes, ukulele jams, and more. It's truly an honor to work to facilitate it all! I feel so incredibly lucky to get to serve my community, to do work to hopefully make my neighbors’ and visitors’ lives a little better.

Thanks so much, Alexandra! You can find out more about the West Tisbury Library here. 

And if you’re interested in being featured in our interviews, you can fill out a short interest form here.