It’s time to create a new way of thinking about board service – one that shifts the power dynamics, acknowledges the expertise we supply & the conditions we demand, and treats people as humans instead of commodities.
During this panel discussion with Esther Callahan, Kimberly David, and Anne Jin Soo Preston, we’ll explore the big question of “is board service right for me?” through the lens of our participation as BIPOC. Our talents and lived experiences are in more demand than ever before, giving us the power to shape our own path in the nonprofit sector and truly make an impact not just in our communities, but also in how board service continues to serve BIPOC in future generations.
Some of the questions we’ll touch on:
Is the organization actually impacting their mission in a meaningful way?
Is this the right place to invest my time and talents?
Are the mission, vision, and values something I resonate with?
Does the board provide open and supportive spaces?
Does the work feel fulfilling to me?
How do I see my involvement supporting the organization’s purpose?
What’s next?
After the panel, join us for networking and connect with folks informally in our Kumo space.
Meet Our Panel
Esther Callahan, Co-Artistic Director at Arts and Rec, Board member of Franconia Sculpture Park
Esther Callahan is an independent curator and arts organizer. She is currently the co-artistic director for Arts & Rec U.S. where she is working in partnership with 50+ artists, entrepreneurs, and galleries to imagine and create more diverse, equitably paid opportunities. Esther has a variety of board experience. She was board chair for Art Shanty Projects, former board member of the African American Education and Empowerment Advisory Board, and is a current board member of Franconia Sculpture Park and The Emerging Curators Institute.
Kimberly David - Arts Organizer and Administrator, previous Board Member of the East Side Freedom Library
Kimberly is an arts organizer and administrator living in St. Paul, Minnesota. She recently completed her master’s degree from the University of Minnesota’s MPS in arts and cultural leadership, where she developed skills and enthusiasm for nonprofit management and governance. Through her professional and personal practices, she has committed to cultivating and advancing more equitable spaces and relationships. Her first experience with board service was between the Fall of 2020 and the Spring of 2021 as a Board Member at the East Side Freedom Library where she served on the Employment and HR Task Force, Orientation Task Force, and Programs Committee. She now provides the organization with administrative and organizational support by building internal systems and structures to support future growth.
Anne Jin Soo Preston - Board Repair Team and Independent Consultant and Founder of Sahng Sahng, LLC
Anne leads the strategy, curriculum, and training for Board Repair. In addition to her board service and teaching experience, she works with nonprofit boards of all sizes from start-ups to established ones.