A Background in College Administration Prepares a Unicef Official to Help Girls in Strife-Torn Nations Seek Education

ENTRY LEVEL

Nancy Klaus

Age: 52

First job: Assistant to the director, Office of Career Development and Placement, Philadelphia College of Art

Current job: Director, Office of the President, United States Fund for Unicef, New York

In 1987, after obtaining a degree in city planning and history of art Barnard College, working in two family businesses, taking courses toward a master’s in business administration, and raising children, I took my first nonprofit job. I went to work for the Philadelphia College of Art, which has since been renamed the University of the Arts. I helped students understand what career choices were open to them. I was passionate about promoting the careers of our student artists, and continue to believe today that artists are undervalued by our society. Part of my duties included assisting students with their résumés and offering tips like the importance of dressing appropriately for interviews — I often had to make the case to students that if they looked presentable, they weren’t compromising their artistic integrity.

I also persuaded potential employers to hire our students. I learned that the best way to talk to the business community was to demonstrate what we could do for them, rather than what they could do for us.

Perhaps the most important lesson I learned in my first job was that the mission of a nonprofit organization always has to be meaningful and clearly understood by all, and that the leader must communicate this mission in a manner that resonates with employees. I firmly believe that people are drawn to the nonprofit world because they want to work in a field that is meaningful.

Another thing I learned early in my career — and it’s something that I try my best to act on today — is that it’s important to let your staff members know how much their work is appreciated. The key motivations for many of us in the nonprofit sector are to believe in the mission and feel appreciated. It’s more important than money. During my career, I’ve seen morale decline when the staff didn’t feel part of the mission or were not properly appreciated.

After two years with the Philadelphia College of Art, I accepted a position as director of Alumnae Affairs and Career Services at Moore College of Art and Design, a women’s college in Philadelphia. My work allowed me not only to continue helping artists, but also to focus on women’s issues. While I continue to love the arts, I realized at Moore that I wanted to do more with my career. I decided that I wanted to work in international development and be part of Unicef’s lifesaving mission.

In my role as director of the U.S. Fund’s Office of the President, I am responsible for managing our national Board of Directors and participating in strategic planning and policy matters. In addition, I work as a liaison with Unicef’s partner nonprofit organizations, and with our donors.

Barnard was really the place that ignited my interest in women’s issues and studies. And I went to Moore because it combined two interests — art and women’s concerns. What has crystalized for me at the United States Fund for Unicef, which I joined four years ago, is seeing how improving the lives of girls and women has a direct impact on the quality of life for society in general.

Every job has its frustrating moments but even at the hardest of times, I feel proud knowing that I am promoting a cause that protects the world’s most vulnerable children and women. Since last year, a lot of my efforts have focused on supporting Unicef’s back-to-school campaign in Afghanistan. It’s thrilling to help get children — especially young girls — into school. For many of these children, it’s their first time in a classroom. Of the 120 million children who never go to school today, the majority are girls. Focusing on getting girls into school works to bring down the barriers that keep all children out of school. Moreover, we believe that when girls are educated, they are more likely to ensure the education and health of their own children — a cyclical effect of enormous importance.

As a leader, I try to take the time to encourage our younger staff members, fostering their development as professionals. I’m not the most patient person in the world, but I do try to connect with people and take the time to explain how their work is helping to complete important projects. I also make a point of always sharing credit, both publicly and privately. Virtually all good work is the result of collaborative energy. It is an incredibly enriching experience for me to be able to work with people who not only believe in what they do, but who also make quality-of-life sacrifices to support their organization’s mission. All of us in the nonprofit arena face challenges, such as making the most of limited resources, working with often inexperienced staff members, and trying to reduce staff turnover. But I’ve had an incredibly rich career in the nonprofit world. And I look forward to continuing to help Unicef do even more for the world’s children and women. — As told to Mary E. Medland

How did your first job in the nonprofit world shape your current career? Tell us about it at entrylevel@philanthropy.com. Your story may appear in a future edition of Entry Level.