From Vision to Reality: A CEO’s Path to Community Impact and the Board’s Contributions with Amy Alexander

Join us as we sit down with Amy Alexander, Co-Founder and CEO of The Refuge Center for Counseling in Franklin, TN. Over the past 18 years, Amy's vision and leadership have transformed The Refuge Center from a gap-analysis inspired idea into a vital part of the Franklin community, providing over 37,000 counseling sessions to over 4,300 clients each year. Hear how Amy's unwavering commitment to accessible care, through the use of a sliding-fee scale based on income, has made a lasting impact on those in need.

Amy speaks about the role the board played in the organization's growth, her board member recruitment process, and how she views her board members as family.

We are grateful for Amy's time and applaud the transformative services The Refuge Center provides to those in need.

Visit The Refuge Center for Counseling's Website:

refugecenter.org/lunch

Hope Grows 2023 - An amazing night of fellowship, encouragement and hope!

Timestamps:

00:48 - Interview starts

01:15 - Amy introduces herself and The Refuge Center

04:40 - Starting The Refuge Center

05:50 - Amy describes her board in the early days of The Refuge Center

07:05 - The role of the board in the growth of the organization

09:20 - What makes an effective board member?

11:45 - What makes an ineffective board member?

13:15 - Providing great support to the Executive Director

13:40 - Communication with the board

14:35 - Interaction with the Board Chair

16:25 - The culture at The Refuge Center

17:45 - What advice would you give to an Executive Director about managing the board?

18:40 - Can you explain the role of the Partnership Council?

20:15 - How did you implement the Partnership Council?

21:55 - How have you strategically used the board to help you accomplish your mission?

23:20 - How do you interact with the board committees?

24:55 - You have to get to know your board members as people

25:45 - The process of identifying and nominating new board members

27:29 - Board orientation process

29:05 - A few of Amy’s biggest mistakes when recruiting board members

31:14 - What are your visions for your board?

32:58 - What have been some of the biggest challenges in growing The Refuge Center?

34:45 - How do people get in touch with you or The Refuge Center?

37:03 - Recapping with Read

Join us every week as we release a new podcast with information about how you can be the best board member and provide great service to your organization.

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