Nicole Spracale shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Nicole, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think many people struggle with a quiet sense of professional unfulfillment. On the surface, they appear successful, advancing in their careers, earning recognition, and checking the boxes that define achievement. Yet internally, there’s often a disconnect, a feeling that their work lacks deeper meaning or alignment with who they truly are.
It’s easy to end up in a career path shaped by family influence and expectations, or a natural aptitude in a particular field. But over time, that can leave us feeling like we’re living someone else’s definition of success. The real key to lasting fulfillment and genuine success comes from clarity about our core values and purpose. When our work aligns with those values, we not only perform better, we also experience a sense of energy, joy, and authenticity that external measures of success can’t replicate.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Nicole Spracale. I’m the COO and Integrator for the Fox Advancement Family of Brands, where we help nonprofits across the country strengthen their fundraising, grant writing, and long-term growth. I’m also an executive coach, working primarily with CEOs and founders of startups and early-stage companies.
My passion for helping leaders and organizations find clarity, alignment, and momentum is at the heart of everything I do. Whether I’m guiding a founder through scaling their business or partnering with a nonprofit on their fundraising goals, my focus is always on connecting purpose with performance – helping people and organizations thrive in an authentic and sustainable way.
What makes my work unique is the balance I bring between strategy and people. With a background that spans corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, and coaching, I’ve learned that success isn’t just about hitting goals; it’s about building systems, teams, and cultures that reflect one’s core values.
Outside of work, you’ll usually find me in the kitchen, spending time with family, or mentoring other leaders who are discovering their own “why.”
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I’ve realized that what usually breaks the bonds between people isn’t one big thing; it happens slowly as compassion slips away. It’s easy to judge when we stop trying to understand where someone’s coming from or forget that everyone’s carrying their own struggles. I’ve seen this play out both personally and professionally, times when assumptions took the place of empathy and created distance that didn’t need to be there.
None of us gets it right all the time. We make choices based on what we know in that moment. When we forget that and stop giving people grace, the space between us only grows wider. And that loss of empathy doesn’t just affect relationships; it limits what we could have built together.
For me, reconnection starts with slowing down long enough to see the person before you. It’s about remembering that worthiness isn’t something we earn by being perfect; it’s something we all already have. When we choose kindness and focus on someone’s strengths instead of their flaws, trust finds its way back in.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be this: It’s okay to put yourself first.
You don’t have to carry the weight of everyone else’s needs before your own. Spending your energy worrying about how others feel, what they need, and what they expect, while constantly running to deliver on those things, might look like strength, but it comes at a cost. It’s a recipe for burnout, resentment, and missed opportunities.
I would remind myself there’s a big difference between caring for yourself and being selfish. Putting yourself first doesn’t mean you care less about others or their situation. It means you value your well-being enough to show up for life with energy, joy, and purpose. I wish I had learned sooner that saying no isn’t unkind; sometimes, it’s the most important thing you can do for yourself and everyone around you.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
One of my most foundational truths is the belief that there’s always something good to be found in every person and situation. Sometimes it’s obvious, other times it’s a small detail you must look for, but that slight shift in perspective can completely change how you show up and interact with others.
Believing life is meant to be lived in a constant state of happiness is unrealistic. We all disagree, face setbacks, and encounter uncertain moments. But even in those times, I consciously try to search for the potential, the good, or the lesson hidden inside.
This kind of optimism doesn’t ignore reality; it reframes it. When you bring that mindset to others, help people join arms, and choose to look for what’s possible rather than wrong, it creates momentum. I’ve seen teams and entire organizations achieve extraordinary results simply because they believed in the good that could exist within a challenge.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace in the quiet moments in between. The pause before the next call, conversation, or responsibility. In those brief spaces, I can breathe, quiet the noise in my head, and just be.
When that happens, the lists and deadlines fade, and gratitude takes their place. I notice the good in the people around me, in the work I get to do, in simply being here.
As others have often reminded me, peace doesn’t come from slowing life down; it comes from slowing yourself down long enough to notice it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.foxadvancement.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nspracale
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nspracale
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/nspracale
- Other: https://www.nicolespracale.com
Image Credits
Headshots by Karianne Munstedt
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