We were lucky to catch up with Susan Proctor recently and have shared our conversation below.
Susan, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
It definitely didn’t come in a straight line or clear path. Discovering my purpose came through a series of apparent road blocks that actually led me to where I needed to be. Early on I learned that I needed to work for more than a paycheck. I began volunteering in high school and after college my first job was in retail leadership. My volunteer work on the weekends was much more energizing than the work grind where the motivation was to earn money for the store. On paper the job seemed to fit my skills and education but the actual work was not a good fit. What felt like a better fit was my volunteer gig working with youth.
That initial job and disconnect helped me realize that though I needed money to live, I needed more to feel alive. What gave me the motivation and purpose was helping others. My next job and all of the jobs I have had along the way had to be more than earning money for a company. Becoming a teacher seemed like a match and yet during that journey I was laid off. This setback was the very thing that led me to nonprofit work which is where everything seems to align.
Nonprofit work was not on my radar as a teacher, but an opportunity presented itself and I now feel like I am where I belong.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Currently I am finding purpose in two nonprofit worlds. One is professionally at Tumaini International where I have served for the past 15 years. The name Tumaini means Hope in Swahili and a few staff members in the U.S. and a generous batch of sponsors are inspiring hope in Kenya though education, socio-economic development and healthcare. We have an incredibly team of locals on the ground in Kenya serving in these programs as well as managing child sponsorship. The most exciting part has been the launch of Tumani Mission Hospital in Masii, Kenya which will be a beacon of hope and specialty healthcare in the region for years to come.
The learnings from my career led to launch another nonprofit in my free time, Punk Rock Gives Back. This charities purpose is to support other charities by promoting awareness, fundraising events and helping other charities get off the ground. The DIY ethos of the punk rock culture is the backbone of the organization. The world can be a messy place but lots of charities are boots on the ground doing the work. They may be so busy doing the work they cannot fund the work, or promote the cause and we rally people to help in that way.
Punk Rock Gives Back has our second annual ornament auction coming up December 1-7. We extend the invite to artists to contribute an ornament (either a provided 4×4 mini canvas, or any other medium) and the artists choose the charity they want to support. The items are up for auction online and will be on display at our first ever holiday show at Alex’s Bar in Long Beach, December 7 from noon-5pm. The event will feature the not only the charity auction, but also an artist market, live painting, music, food and drinks. Artists interested in contributing an ornament may register on the link on our website, more details on the show will be announced soon and everyone is welcome to bid online! Last year we were able to raise funds for over 19 charities. It is so fun!
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?
Along the way I have learned that persistence, compassion and creativity have been critical in my journey. I am actually motivated when I am told I cannot do something. My natural instinct is to challenge that and think “Wanna bet?” and then my next thought goes to all of the alternative paths to the end.
Persistence has been key in the Punk Rock Gives Back launch. It is not easy to be brand new in a community. It takes time to build relationships and trust. Staying the course and sometimes modifying my desired timeline has helped. I am so ambitious that I want to do it all now. Sometimes things need to wait.
Compassion is the heart of serving in a nonprofit. Taking the time to walk in another person’s shoes or listening to their story is absolutely critical. My advice on growing compassion is take a step back from your own agenda to take time to consider others. It can happen through simply taking time to say hello and smiling to let others know they matter.
Creativity for me is not in the fine arts world, but in problem solving. I admire and love creatives because they see the world differently. Abstract art is an example of another perspective. In my work life, I have learned to channel some creativity or alternate perspective into challenges. This area I keep working on but have learned to step back from a challenge and try to see it another way. Sometimes that break in linear thinking can make all the difference navigating through the tough times and make alternatives evident.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
First and foremost I credit my parents for pushing me to use my intelligence to solve problems. One thing that comes to mind was when I was enrolled in the most ridiculous elementary school program for “gifted” students. I hated getting pulled out of class to do things like carve Kachina dolls when I was missing instruction on things like handwriting. But instead of calling the school to advocate for me to get out the class, their response was, “You were smart enough to get yourself into the class so you are smart enough to get yourself out of it.” That type of empowerment at a young age helped me to realize that I had power within myself to overcome challenges. It is silly but it has stuck with me all of these years.
Next I credit my current boss, Stanley Mutunga, President and CEO of Tumaini International and his wife Rose Mutuku who are the founders of the organization. These two along with the Board of Directors took a chance to employ a school teacher without any experience in nonprofit work. I learned that Rose had a key role in knowing that a school teacher could manage an office because of her work in education. Some employees need direction but teachers are given direction and then know they are expected to execute a task. I had zero experience but was given the necessary direction and then the freedom to execute the tasks. I have learned everything about nonprofits from this opportunity because I was able to learn by doing. If I didn’t know how to do something, I had to figure it out. It was the perfect fit for someone who thrives on finding solutions. In addition, this position has enabled me to see people’s generosity everyday. There can be a lot of negativity in the world or in the media, but the people drawn to support a cause such as Tumaini are the exact opposite. They give sacrificially so that others who live in another continent may have hope. It is amazing.
Finally, I credit my son Eric for teaching me to open my mind to all people. He has always loved music and in middle school I began going to concerts with him. We bonded over rock and punk rock music. Along the way we had plenty of time in line to get to know other concert goers. I grew up in a pretty homogeneous community and music is just the opposite. You meet and become friends with others who look different, think different and yet share the common bond of music. Some of the most unexpected encounters happen in line or standing next to people at a show. I would have never met some of most admired friends had I not gone to shows back in the day with Eric. These friends and life experiences were the catalyst for not only finding love again but also forming the foundation of Punk Rock Gives Back. I found a community of people who would speak up and fight for justice right along with me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.punkrockgivesback.org/
- Instagram: @punkrockgivesback
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552568434204
- Linkedin: Susan Proctor
Image Credits
Steve Allen, @DarkroomRebellion
Justin Rudd, Justin Rudd.com
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
