Be Ready When Opportunities Present Themselves with Kathy Durante

Welcome to episode 36 of the Today is the Day Changemakers Podcast. This week my guest is Kathy Durante, Executive Director, OceanFirst Foundation.

Kathy was raised in Poughkeepsie, NY and Hamilton, NJ before moving on to Ocean County.   

Kathy's career started in the not-for-profit sector at what was then the Delaware Valley United Way.  With the nudge of someone she knew and trusted, Kathy decided to apply for the Executive Director position at the then, United Way of Ocean County, NJ.

She has since moved on from there and spent the last 18 years as the Executive Director of the OceanFirst Foundation where she is one of the organization's founding Directors. She comes to her work with the knowledge of being on both sides of the table.

She shares during the interview that mindsets need to change when it comes to the way not-for-profit work is thought of. She agrees that the important mission focused work should be referenced as 'for impact'. "Working in non-profit does not mean that you should be paid less or under resourced." 

OceanFirst Foundation is the first foundation in the nation to be established by a bank as part of an initial public offering. Since its inception, the Foundation has invested more than $42 million in community initiatives and programs with more than 8,300 grants awarded to hundreds of nonprofits and schools throughout central and southern New Jersey.

Kathy manages the day-to-day operation and oversees all aspects of the proposal submission and review processes, chairing the Foundation’s Major Grant Committee which is charged with recommending grants to the Foundation’s Board for consideration.

Under Kathy's leadership, the Foundation launched new initiatives and partnerships focused on meeting the needs of the local community. Kathy has helped many start-up nonprofits and new and experienced grant seekers to fine tune their skills.

Some of Kathy's awards include: Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore’s Women of Distinction Award, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ocean County’s Humanitarian Award, and named Women’s Advocate of the Year by Ocean County’s Advisory Commission on the Status of Women. Under her leadership, OceanFirst Foundation has been the proud recipient of numerous community awards.

Kathy goes on to share about the importance of taking risks and being ready for opportunities as they start to present themselves.

Listen in the hear Kathy's response to 'if I knew then what I know now'.

Thank you to Kathy for her time and sharing her passion about mission focused work. It is so valuable to all of us who are doing all we can to make a difference! 

Next week, my guest is Ivy Charmatz. Ivy is an Emmy Award Winning Executive Producer and Writer. During our interview we talk about sharing kindness, finding peace, and the art of storytelling. This is a great interview about the importance of connection.

Please also download this podcast on all streaming sites. Like us on FB and Instagram at Today is the Day Live it. Also go to todayisthedayliveit.com for more information about how I help my clients connect, collaborate, create, and inspire. 

I am also the CEO and Co-founder of the Zzak G. Applaud Our Kids Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping children living with financial barriers take ongoing lessons in dance, acting, instrumental music, and vocal instruction. Visit applaudourkids.org for more information. 

Have a great week everyone!