Susan M. Ifill has been NeighborWorks America's executive vice president and chief operating officer for just over a year now – and what a year it's been! She brought with her more than 35 years of nonprofit and private sector experience, most recently serving as CEO of Neighborhood Housing Services of New York City Inc., a NeighborWorks organization.
Here, at the start of Women's History Month, which celebrates the contributions women have made to their professions, their communities, and the country. Ifill talks about the motivation behind some of her own contributions, and those yet to come. She also talks about her philosophy and some of her lesser-known pursuits, including her sport of choice. As the month continues, NeighborWorks will focus on some of the innovating women in our vast network of organizations, all working, like Ifill, to build strong communities.
NeighborWorks asked Ifill to finish these sentence starters:
I start my day ... by reminding myself how fortunate I am to be here.
I was drawn to NeighborWorks America because ... the CEO rocks! I come from a banking background. In doing the work of looking how we fund those who improve the lives in the communities in which we live from the financial side, and now moving closer to those who do the actual work, it was a natural fit for me. I live my life contemplating where I can make a difference. What can I bring to the table? How can I help people lead? The COO position is a good fit for me, because I prefer to make it happen behind the scenes and take more joy in making our CEO be the best CEO she can be because my team helped make everything better and more efficient and served more people. Housing is a fundamental right and community development is the "how." I'm here to do my part.
Since coming to NeighborWorks America, I've learned … we're a bunch of capable people trying to do the right thing, and I love it! We're all just a little crazy in one way or another, and we make magic happen. We've certainly seen that over the last few months. Here there are passionate, committed and intelligent people all looking to make this world a better place.
We moved quickly to make changes when timing was critical. That meant figuring out how to get more than 200 staff members to productively work from home during the stay-at-home order that accompanied COVID-19 last March. It also meant finding a way to get emergency funding to our network organizations while they are dealing with this unprecedented set of circumstances.
Meanwhile, circumstances keep changing. One of the things I've been pleased to see is that our core mission as an organization has put us right where we need to be. We continue to do the work that will lead to the generational wealth that has been lagging for minorities. We continue to focus on our REDI work (Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion), making sure that we are counteracting inequities both inside and outside of NeighborWorks. The call for racial equity has grown – and continues to grow – louder. NeighborWorks has heard that call. It's that kind of spirit that gave NeighborWorks its start.
What philosophy guides you in most things? Bono, lead singer from the band U2, said, "It's far easier to be successful than it is to be relevant." We all need something to make us think and ask, "Is what I'm doing today keeping NeighborWorks relevant?" Every day or so there's a new quote or saying on my wall.
I see our opportunities as … only limited by our imagination. With the knowledge, skills and abilities of all the people on the NeighborWorks team, it is clear, and has been for over 40 years, that we can do anything! I'm excited about the culture inside NeighborWorks, where we are headed, and I fundamentally believe that our organization is always on the verge of something great. Our focused efforts to provide our network organizations with best-in-class technology and services, our unparalleled infrastructure and support programs, and our continued efforts to explore innovations and solutions to address the needs of the residents and communities that we serve, is all next-level. I'm excited to see what's coming.
Something you might not know about me is … I'm a fanatical golfer. I am always ready for a round and can't wait to get back out there!
The biggest challenge I've overcome is … learning how to manage in periods of ambiguity. I learned early on that I won't have all the answers and sometimes you must build the plane while you fly it. But like your early Algebra lessons, there is a formula that solves for "x." As a leader, I need to convey and demonstrate that sometimes it's okay not knowing exactly where the path is going. If you use your deductive reasoning skills, your past experiences and intellect will lead you in the right direction, even if you can't see it in the moment.
One thing I'll miss about New York is … being closer to my family in Boston (though nobody is physically close at the moment).
Outside of the work, a cause I work for/fight for is … ensuring that education is accessible to any adult for whom it was previously unattainable or denied.
The question I wish everyone would ask me is … which cufflinks are you wearing? I own over 60 pairs of cufflinks. Every one of them has a story, and most days I remember the story!
My favorite book is … "The Tao of Pooh" by Benjamin Hoff.
The best way to work off stress is … pouring a glass of Chardonnay.
The strangest fact I know is … there are no strangers, only friends I haven't met.
03/03/2021
