We were lucky to catch up with Kirk Adams recently and have shared our conversation below.
Kirk, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Internalized high expectations and a strong internal locus of control acquired as a first, second and third grader at the Oregon State School for the Blind.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I spent my professional career diligently driving the inclusion of people who are blind throughout society. A long white cane user since age six, I attended the Oregon State School for the Blind, and attribute the blindness skills and strong sense of internal agency gained there for much of my success in life. I entered the nonprofit sector through fundraising.
My first nonprofit job was as a development officer for the Seattle Public Library Foundation, raising money for the statewide Talking Book and Braille (NLS) Library. During that time, I earned a Master’s degree in Not-For-Profit Leadership from Seattle University, and earned the Certified Fundraising Executive credential from the Association of Fundraising professionals. I was originally hired by the Seattle Lighthouse to stand up a comprehensive fundraising program and a supporting Foundation and fundraising board.
Moving into the CEO roles at the Lighthouse and AFB, I continuously developed my network of relationships with others interested in the inclusion of people with disabilities. I currently have 1,400 connections on X (Formerly Twitter), 4,900 connections on Facebook, and 30,000 connections on LinkedIn. I also recently launched a Mastodon presence. In my new role as a consultant, I’m excited about putting my skills, experience, and networks to good use, supporting innovative, impactful projects, like the Inspiration Foundation.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Leadership and Vision: Having a clear, forward-thinking vision helps drive change and innovation in any field.
Empathy and Communication: Connecting deeply with people and understanding their needs is crucial, especially in leadership roles.
Adaptability: Being flexible and open to learning new things helps navigate challenges and opportunities.
How would you describe your ideal client?
Ideal client. Business owner of a privately held company $50,000,000 to $200,000,000 in annual sales, growing rapidly. Facing challenges around attracting and retaining talent. Primarily involved in advanced manufacturing, digital health or cybersecurity. Or, startups in the assistive technology or disability inclusion space at the incubation to funding stage.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kirk.adams.56/
- Linkedin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirkadamsphd/
- Twitter: Twitter: @KirkAdamsPhD
Image Credits
N/A
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
