Shadowing My Mentor. Life in an Executive Director's Shoes

I was grateful that I was able to shadow my supervisor Future for Kids Executive Director Mrs. Madonna Bistany. One thing I notice about the office is that everyone is always going and going just like the Energizer Bunny. Being a small company that consists mainly of the Founder Rod Smith and the Executive Director Madonna, with two part-time employees, and finally the ever faithful Interns ;) there is always something to be done and everyone has to step up and take charge especially Mrs. Bistany and Mr. Smith. So that being said it was mildly difficult to follow Mrs. Bistany through all of her daily duties. So I watched an observed but, I also took the time to engage her and ask her questions. So first, here is the day that I got to see, Mrs. Bistany arrived at the office at 8:45am hands full and already on a business call. After a very impressive juggling act, which consisted of trying to talk on the phone, open the door, and balancing her laptop, purse and coffee, I tried asking if she needed help but, she was all set and the door was open. First thing in the office she was finishing the first business call, logging on to her business files and email, responding to the most important emails, and then heading straight into another important call. Mrs. Bistany was going a mile a minute making sure that everything was in place before her upcoming meetings that day. Thankfully I had a chance to sit down and talk to her before the first meeting of the day. Realizing that there was more than meets the eye with Mr. Bistany and her job as Executive Director, I wanted to dig deeper and see what happens at the meetings and to my astonishment what work she continues to do at home. Mrs. Bistany was kind enough to give me the low down of a day in the life of an Executive Director. She informed me that her day starts even before she reaches the office, Mrs. Bistany straight after waking up in the morning logs into her emails checking for important updates, concerns, and question that need to be address directly. Then Mrs. Bistany double checks her calendar for the day making sure everything is set for the day and makes any last minutes changes that have come up. Still before even reaching the office she has to run important errands for the company. Mrs. Bistany continues to tell me that what I witnessed that morning was and is the regular occurrence for her, having to run around and juggling for the day’s events. She told me that the most important thing she needs to accomplish everyday is keeping in constant contact with everyone. She and Mr. Smith have daily meeting so as to keep track of the present and upcoming events, problems, and needs of the company and those involved with it. Mrs. Bistany has to keep in constant contact with Board Members currently on staff as well as those looking to become Board Members, she states that she is employed by the Board Members but, she is also has the final say in all decisions made by them about the company and its funding. Laughing Mrs. Bistany states that every day she has to be on her toes ready for anything and everything thrown her way, she states that the ability to multi-task is a very important skill that all Executive Directors need in their bag of tricks that helps keep the company growing and thriving. After having the chance to talk with Mrs. Bistany, she was right back in Energizer Bunny mode, she had another phone call and a last minute program meeting, before having to head off to her largest meeting of the day with a person possibly interested in making a donation to the company. Mrs. Bistany is always moving always going, ready for the next big project to be thrown her way. Long after I have left for the day you will still find Mrs. Bistany working hard and doing everything she can for the company she loves very deeply. Watching her made me realize that she isn’t just doing her job because it is required but, because she enjoys every moment. Even when times are hard she realizes that there is the bigger purpose that is designated for the children our company aims to serves and that is the greatest fulfillment to her. Her job isn’t just a duty it is an act that she does from not only her mind but, her heart as well.