Empowering Nonprofits to Transform Communities

   Instilled in Tracey is a deep belief in the power of being the change you want to see in the world. Whether volunteering at food banks, cooking meals for those in need, or engaging in civic leadership by occupying political seats, she believed in making a tangible impact. However, for many of us, these moments of engagement were occasional. It wasn’t until Tracey witnessed the personal and collective transformations that occur when we commit to making sustained changes in our communities that her passion for this work truly ignited.

In 2012, she took a pivotal step forward, advocating for education reform as a Parent Leader at the Legislative Office Building. That experience opened her eyes to the developmental impact of leadership and led to her role as Co-Chair of Leadership and Development for a town committee.  

After the COVID-19 pandemic, she noticed a stark reality—many nonprofits lacked the sustainability and resources to meet the growing needs of the communities they served. Even worse, many struggled to attract volunteers. In 2022, Tracey was sworn in as Vice President of the Elm City Freddie Fixer Parade, a legacy rooted in her family history. Seeing the enduring impact of her great-uncle, Dr. Fred Smith, who played a pivotal role in the parade’s founding, was both inspiring and refreshing. The parade's intentionality in community engagement—achieved long before the advent of social media—showed the power of messaging that resonates deeply with people. Tracey carried this insight with her into other endeavors.

As her engagement deepened, she began to notice inefficiencies within many nonprofit organizations. They had noble missions but often struggled with internal systems and operational sustainability. Leveraging her corporate experience, she began applying her knowledge to help nonprofits strengthen their foundations. This journey led her to become the President of the Board of Directors for an educational nonprofit organization. Within her first year, she coached a first-year Executive Director, guiding them on leadership, development, community initiatives, intentional delivery, and strategic approaches.

The results were remarkable:

• Increased Morale: Employees felt empowered and valued, fostering a positive work culture.
• Professional Growth: Staff experienced opportunities for advancement.
• Operational Improvements: We implemented efficient software systems and streamlined processes.
• Enrollment Growth: Increased enrollment strengthened our capacity to serve.
• Financial Sustainability: Achieved a 9% revenue increase and enhanced the ability to articulate needs to donors, resulting in more grant awards.
• Community Impact: Greater support for the families we served and deeper engagement with the community.

Many families sit behind four walls, struggling because they don’t know how to ask for help—or even who to ask. And some are just tired of being put through a process. To bridge this gap, we must meet families where they are. Sometimes this means fostering collaborations between organizations to provide equitable opportunities and shared resources.

Tracey's journey has shown her the transformative power of commitment, leadership, and collaboration. By combining corporate insights with a heart for service, she aims to elevate nonprofits to not just survive but thrive, creating lasting impacts for the communities they serve.