2005-2006 Board Member Testimonial
Bryce Goodwin
WG '06
"When the Mazzoni Center started the process of hiring a CFO, I jumped at the chance to help. I wanted to use all the fancy concepts I'd learned in Wharton's famous finance classes. But the most interesting thing I contributed was my hard-earned knowledge of the interview process. It was Fall 2005 and I had been interviewing like crazy for a post-MBA full-time job. With all that interviewing recently under my belt, I helped the Mazzoni Center through the process. And being on the other side of the table helped me understand the interviewer's perspective--which I used for my next interviews to finally land that full-time job."
1. What was your motivation or interest in participating in the program?
Before Wharton, I served on a small nonprofit board. I came to Wharton for many reasons, but one was to learn skills to serve on influential nonprofit boards in the future to advance causes I believe in. In addition, I did a lot of work with corporate boards and serving on nonprofit board will help lay the foundation for some future corporate board positions.
2. Could you give us at least one anecdote of an instance where your Wharton education was particularly helpful in addressing a problem encountered by the organization for which you work?
The organization was recruiting a CFO last Fall, during my own full-time job search. I helped them identify and interview candidates. It was great to be on the other side of the interview table, but mostly I was able to ask the good questions because I had been through so many tough interviews in the days before.
3. Are there any aspects of the training program that turned out to be particularly helpful?
Understanding the importance of the mission. Nonprofits exist because they serve a mission, not to make profits. As a result, the culture is very different from what we are used to in Huntsman Hall. If you don't "get" the mission, you won't understand the organization or be able to effectively lead it.
4. How have you benefited from the experience to date?
Extremely beneficial on many levels. First, I've made friends with community leaders outside of Huntsman Hall. Second, I've learned quite a bit about motivating unpaid volunteers: board members aren't paid a thing for their hours and hours of service. But mostly, I've benefited from using my Wharton-trained business skills to give back to the community.
5. Has participating in the NPBLP changed your outlook on participating on a non-profit board in the future?
Yes, it has helped me understand that I learned at Wharton a critical skill that a lot of nonprofits boards lack: business knowledge. And that's a great thing to give back to your community and to a cause you believe in.
