NPO 003: Working in an Office of One (Jamelyn Lederhouse, Global Glimpse)
Today's Guest: Jamelyn Lederhouse
Growing up in the Chicago area, Jamelyn always had a passion to learn more about the world. After earning her undergraduate degree in Spanish and secondary education, she spent a year working with at-risk youth in Costa Rica, followed by teaching high school Spanish upon her return to the Chicago area. In addition to working abroad and traveling to over 20 countries, Jamelyn has participated in immersion educational experiences in six countries, and knows firsthand how these experiences have enriched her education and global perspective. Building upon her 12 years in the non-profit and education sectors, Jamelyn brings experience in program management, education and leadership development. She earned her Master’s in Public Service at DePaul University and Fundamentals of Leadership Certificate at Northwestern University. Jamelyn is fluent in Spanish and has spent much of her career and volunteer efforts investing in youth. She is driven by her passion to bring education and leadership opportunities to students and is very excited to be a part of the Global Glimpse team in Chicago.
Nonprofit Spotlight: Global Glimpse
Global Glimpse is a non-profit organization that partners with a diversity of high performing high schools to provide a two-year leadership, civic engagement, and college preparatory program centered on a summer immersion experience in the developing world.
Story of Good: Madai
Jamelyn shared about her co-worker Madai who is the Nicaragua Country Director and has been involved in Global Glimpse since 2009. Madai has created pathways for others in her community to gain professional growth opportunities through Global Glimpse, whether that is in an official staff capacity or by bringing students to other people's places of business as part of their immersion experience. Madai sounds like an enthusiastic, intelligent and strategic woman who has helped build her community in Nicaragua while also helping to build the Global Glimpse programs.
Lessons Learned:
As the only person on staff in the Chicago area, Jamelyn has found creative ways to build community. One of the big ways that Jamelyn has found community is through her co-sharing space- WeWork. (Additional co-working space links: Coalition or Grind.) In addition to giving her access to a great physical working environment, WeWork also has provided social opportunities and the perspective of working alongside people.
Another community building possibility has come up through the Hive network. The Hive has given Jamelyn the chance to connect with others around the city who are passionate about education and share similar values to Global Glimpse. They also promote opportunities for collaborative grant applications. Her final experience of finding community has been through the Global Glimpse advisory board which is comprised of young professionals in the city of Chicago.
Jamelyn also shared some of the tools she uses to optimize and automate her work experiences. The tools she recommends include Toggl (a time tracking app) and mileage apps (like the QuickBooks mileage app or MileIQ).
Potential and existing collaborations that Jamelyn mentioned include: Young Chicago Authors/Louder Than A Bomb, The Boeing Company and United Airlines.
Other great lessons learned: Remember to "find your fuel" even in the periods of work that are farther removed from your mission! And finally, know yourself and your mission!
Next interview: Laura Ng, Executive Director of Traffick Free.