High Impact Philanthropy: Becky Shiew Of Care For Life On How To Leave A Lasting Legacy With A Successful & Effective Nonprofit Organization

An Interview with Karen Mangia

Karen Mangia
Authority Magazine
Published in
10 min readJun 17, 2024

--

Clear vision and mission: Care for Life’s mission is to help families in extreme poverty worldwide achieve self-sufficiency, one community at a time. We accomplish this through the Family Preservation Program. This mission was developed through years of experience and trial and error, and it did not come easily. Thanks to the efforts of many dedicated individuals over the years, we now have a clear focus and direction. This clarity has been instrumental in our continued success and growth.

For someone who wants to set aside money to establish a Philanthropic Foundation or Fund, what does it take to make sure your resources are being impactful and truly effective? In this interview series, called “How To Create Philanthropy That Leaves a Lasting Legacy” we are visiting with founders and leaders of Philanthropic Foundations, Charitable Organizations, and Non-Profit Organizations, to talk about the steps they took to create sustainable success.

As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Becky Shiew.

Becky Shiew developed a love for humanitarian work when she went to Greece to work with refugees. Since then, she has lived in Jordan to study the humanitarian sector.

As part of her studies, she became interested in how humanitarian programs address self-reliance. She found Care for Life and recognized its success in this area. She is very excited to join them and help take the Family Preservation Program to more people. Becky has also lived in Ghana and served with several NGOs there providing wellness classes, business skills training, and literacy programs.

Becky graduated with a Master of Accountancy degree and a minor in Marriage, Family, and Human Development. She loves spending time with her two children and her family. She loves hiking, cooking, reading, and helping other people.

Thank you for making time to visit with us about a ‘top of mind’ topic. Our readers would like to get to know you a bit better. Can you please tell us about one or two life experiences that most shaped who you are today?

Achieving my education and raising my children as a single mother has been the most life-changing experience of my life. It shaped me into the person I am today. Although it was difficult and less than ideal, I grew from that experience. I developed strength for life’s challenges, fortitude, compassion for others, and a determination to overcome and succeed. I learned how to balance life’s priorities, provide for my family, and help others who are in need.

You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? We would love to hear a few stories or examples.

Determination — When I became president, Care for Life’s vision was to grow and expand its Family Preservation Program to new areas. It was exciting to see what the organization had already built and to embrace the vision of expanding to reach even more people. As with any company or non-profit aiming to grow, there are significant challenges. I firmly believe that once a clear vision is established, steady progress throughout these challenges is the key to success.

The Care for Life leadership team has been working hard to build a solid foundation for expansion. Sometimes, it can feel like no progress is being made until you look back and see how far the organization has come. Last year a team member commented that it felt like we were walking uphill in sand. This year, as we reflect on the progress we have made, it is clear that we have built a solid foundation, made significant progress, and achieved successes. As the president and leader of Care for Life, one of my strengths is encouraging and providing meaningful leadership throughout each stage of growth. My numerous leadership experiences have taught me that determination during moments when progress feels slow and challenges arise is key to effective leadership.

Kindness — As a leader, it is important to show kindness and assist staff and volunteers to develop and achieve their personal goals. In Mozambique, we have taken the time to interview each staff member to understand their feelings about their job, their skills, and their aspirations for the future. Based on this feedback, we have adjusted staff duties and implemented a leadership development program to support their growth and potential. Ensuring that staff and volunteers feel appreciated and heard is important. This approach has enhanced the organization’s efficiency and effectiveness.

Hands-on Involvement: A key aspect of leadership is the willingness to work alongside every member of the organization. During the development of training materials and the expansion of the Family Preservation Program into the Democratic Republic of Congo, I have been actively involved in each step. This has included regular calls, reviewing materials, and providing structure for the training program, all of which have been critical. Effective leadership prevents staff and volunteers from becoming discouraged and demotivated. By being involved, leaders build trust and comradery, which helps achieve the organization’s goals.

What’s the most interesting discovery you’ve made since you started leading your organization?

I worked in the corporate world for many years, and while I encountered much diversity, the diversity in thought, ideas, and personalities in a non-profit is particularly significant. Staff and volunteers come from varying educational and career backgrounds, are in different stages of life, and have very diverse life experiences. It has been an interesting journey to work with such a diverse group of individuals and bring them together to achieve a common goal. I have learned that despite differences, a group of people with a shared vision can achieve much.

Can you please tell our readers more about how you or your organization intends to make a significant social impact?

Care for Life has 20 years of experience in the humanitarian field and has developed and now administers the Family Preservation Program (FPP). Through FPP, Care for Life empowers families and communities by building capacity over three years and leaving behind resilient, self-sufficient communities. This approach has yielded significant results, including a 78% decrease in maternal mortality and a 57% decrease in infant mortality. In addition, CFL is data-driven, consistently collecting data and monitoring the progress of families and the impact of the program.

FPP is proven to be an effective method for reducing the impact of chronic, systematic, and extreme poverty on families and communities. It is based on the principle that families are the building blocks of society. As families become stronger, entire communities are strengthened. CFL’s mission is to strengthen families and empower communities through FPP.

One participant’s statement, after a cyclone devastated his community, exemplifies the impact of the program, “I received a family into my home, who lost their home with the cyclones. I took them in for almost a week until they managed to improvise a place to accommodate their family with the precarious materials that they were given. Solidarity is our motto because of the teachings that the organization [Care for Life] gave us. We are more united now. We have a better vision of the future. Because we have done the work once, we know we can do it again.”

What makes you feel passionate about this cause more than any other?

I am passionate about Care for Life’s Family Preservation Program (FPP) because it equips families with tools for success and emphasizes self-reliance. FPP focuses on providing education, family mentorship, goal-setting, and community development. My education was crucial in helping me provide for my children and become self-reliant. Without it, I could not have achieved the success I did or provided my children with a home and the necessities for their development. I understand and cherish the freedom that comes with self-reliance. I am dedicated to helping other families and communities find the same freedom and self-reliance that I was able to achieve.

Without naming names, could you share a story about an individual who benefitted from your initiatives?

I love to share success stories, and with 20 years of experience, we have many to share. One impressive success story is that of Alfred’s family. Alfred and his brothers were orphaned when Alfred was just 14 years old. He was left to provide for his younger brothers. The community did not have the structure in place to support the young boys, and they were often found scavenging in the garbage for survival. Care for Life brought the Family Preservation Program to their village. They joined the program, took educational life skills classes, and began setting goals. They learned brick-making and started making bricks. Although it was a difficult road, with the help of FPP mentors, they eventually produced quality bricks and began selling them to the community. Over time, they expanded their sales to outside the community. They saved enough money from their brick-making business to pay their school fees and attend school. Today, Alfred is married, has a baby and provides for his family. I do this work because I have witnessed the impact and change it brings to the lives of those in extreme poverty, like Alfred.

We all want to help and to live a life of purpose. What are three actions anyone could take to help address the root cause of the problem you’re trying to solve?

Donate any amount, big or small. No matter the size, your donation can make a significant difference for those living in extreme poverty. At Care for Life, we value and appreciate every dollar donated. Instead of providing hand-outs, we focus on teaching people how to help themselves, ensuring sustainable change. Your generous donations are used for the following purposes:

  • Provide individuals with a personalized local mentor.
  • Support continuous educational classes.
  • Teach families goal-setting techniques.
  • Offer children a safe environment to learn life skills.
  • Assist with leadership training for local leaders.
  • Engage with us on social media. Share our successes and help us bring awareness to those who need it most. The success of our organization relies on being connected, and we need your help to build these connections. Social media is a powerful tool to achieve this.
  • Hold a cottage meeting. You can make a difference by hosting a cottage meeting to share our mission with those who have the ability to donate or drive change. Cottage meetings are a powerful tool to bring awareness and connect with potential supporters. They have successfully helped others understand and embrace the vision and mission of Care for Life. We provide all the tools and support necessary to make hosting a smooth and enjoyable experience.

Based on your experience, what are the “5 Things You Need To Create A Successful & Effective Nonprofit That Leaves A Lasting Legacy?”

  • Clear vision and mission: Care for Life’s mission is to help families in extreme poverty worldwide achieve self-sufficiency, one community at a time. We accomplish this through the Family Preservation Program. This mission was developed through years of experience and trial and error, and it did not come easily. Thanks to the efforts of many dedicated individuals over the years, we now have a clear focus and direction. This clarity has been instrumental in our continued success and growth.
  • Skilled staff and volunteers: I have worked on projects where people try their best but lack the right skillset, leading to frustration for everyone involved. Over the past year, Care for Life has dedicated time to finding skilled staff and volunteers, which has made a difference and allowed us to grow in ways we otherwise couldn’t. We are expanding our program in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which would not have been possible without an effective marketing team, skilled writers for our training manuals, and individuals who understand how non-profits work. One person cannot run an organization; it must be a coordinated and concerted effort.
  • Donations: Donations are the lifeblood of our organization. Without the resources to run our program, families in extreme poverty would not be able to move toward self-sufficiency. We are profoundly grateful to our many long-term supporters and for the new contributors who join us regularly.
  • Common purpose: Closely related to having a clear vision and mission is effectively communicating this common purpose to all members. At Care for Life, we hold regular director meetings where all directors come together to discuss the long-term objectives and short-term goals of the organization. This ensures everyone stays aligned and works together effectively. We also share stories of those that are impacted by the program to remind us of the common purpose that unites us.
  • Connectivity: Organizations that are connected internally as well as externally are positioned for success. Forming partnerships with foundations, other non-profits, donors, and various entities is crucial. These connections enhance collaboration, increase impact through shared resources, strengthen advocacy efforts, and opens doors to new opportunities. Such a network supports a more resilient and effective organization.

How has the pandemic changed your definition of success?

The pandemic fostered a stronger sense of international community to me. Although, I have always been interested in global events, experiencing this global crisis together deepened my concern for people everywhere. Success is achieved when we collaborate and care for others globally.

How do you get inspired after an inevitable setback?

A determination to succeed is essential for overcoming setbacks. It is in my nature to stay focused, never give up, and overcome challenges. When I encounter a setback, I reflect upon past experiences that were challenging but eventually improved with persistence and time. What once seemed like an insurmountable challenge is now viewed as an experience that brought growth and new understanding.

We are very blessed that very prominent leaders read this column. Is there a person in the world who you would like to talk to, to share the idea behind your non-profit? He, she, or they might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)

We hope anyone who has an interest in helping families move toward self-sufficiency will read this article.

You’re doing important work. How can our readers follow your progress online?

Thank you for a meaningful conversation. We wish you continued success with your mission.

About The Interviewer: Karen Mangia is one of the most sought-after keynote speakers in the world, sharing her thought leadership with over 10,000 organizations during the course of her career. As Vice President of Customer and Market Insights at Salesforce, she helps individuals and organizations define, design and deliver the future. Discover her proven strategies to access your own success in her fourth book Success from Anywhere and by connecting with her on LinkedIn and Twitter.

--

--

Authority Magazine
Authority Magazine

Published in Authority Magazine

In-depth Interviews with Authorities in Business, Pop Culture, Wellness, Social Impact, and Tech. We use interviews to draw out stories that are both empowering and actionable.

Karen Mangia
Karen Mangia

Written by Karen Mangia

VP at Salesforce | Author | Keynote Speaker

Responses (2)