For our staff spotlight, instead of highlighting one team member, we sat down with three: our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Operating Officer, and our Chief Impact Officer. We asked each of them the same question: What’s something about your job that people would be surprised to learn? Read on for a candid look at what it can be like running Monmouth County’s premier youth development organization!
Chief Executive Officer, Douglas Eagles
Most people would probably be surprised by the diversity of interactions I have on any given day. I might start with a conversation with my senior leadership team, have lunch with a local business or philanthropic leader, grab coffee with a state or local elected official, meet with a parent or community stakeholder, and end the day with Club kids knocking on my office door because they want to see themselves on the security camera monitors. That variety is one of the best parts of my job. I get to spend time with people from all different walks of life who, in their own ways, are helping us build a network of support around young people and change the trajectory of their lives.
Chief Operating Officer, Daniel Rivera:
One thing people might be surprised to learn is how much of my job is spent looking ahead. Most people see what’s happening in our Clubs today, but a big part of my role is making sure we’re ready for what’s next. If I’ve done it well, most people never notice and that’s actually the goal. I’m constantly thinking about where we’ll be a year from now, five years from now, and what we need to put in place today to get there. That could mean improving the way we operate, planning for growth, investing in our facilities, or building systems that make life easier for our staff so they can spend more time focused on the young people we serve.
Chief Impact Officer, Destiny Smith:
People probably wouldn’t guess how much of my job happens behind the scenes. While I spend a lot of time on the Clubhouse floor overseeing programs and working closely with our Club teams, a big part of my role is focused on building partnerships, finding new opportunities, developing our staff, solving problems, and making sure we have the resources to continue growing and serving more young people. And every day is different. One meeting might be about improving program quality, and the next could be about long-term strategy, funding, or how we can better support our staff. A lot of that work isn’t immediately visible, but every decision is made with our kids, families, and staff in mind.
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