Empowering Women in Nonprofits Through Mentorship with Tooba Dawood
In the nonprofit sector, strong leadership and effective guidance are vital for driving meaningful change and development. However, despite the sector's dedication to social justice and equity, women often do not ascend to leadership roles at the same rate as men. This discrepancy underscores a critical issue: the necessity for access to resources, opportunities, and support systems that can close the leadership gap.
Mentorship, especially for women, is crucial in nurturing the next generation of leaders who will advance these efforts. Without sufficient mentorship and support, many skilled women struggle to overcome the distinct challenges and obstacles that impede their professional progress. These challenges include restricted access to networks, fewer opportunities for skill enhancement, and the persistent issue of gender bias. Effective mentorship can help bridge these gaps by providing women with the guidance, encouragement, and connections they need to thrive in leadership positions.
To gain deeper insights into this subject, we sat down with Tooba Dawood, a seasoned expert in learning and development. Tooba has a remarkable track record in youth mentorship, having mentored and empowered over 100 youth globally. Through one-on-ones, in-person chats, and webinars, she has guided young individuals in their personal and professional development, instilling in them the values and skills needed for future success.
Join us as we delve into Tooba’s insights and experiences in mentoring women in the nonprofit sector, exploring the challenges, strategies, and successes that define her approach. Her dedication and expertise offer invaluable lessons for anyone passionate about empowering women and fostering leadership in the nonprofit world.
Q: Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to become involved in the nonprofit sector?
Growing up, I always aspired to be a teacher, driven by my passion for mentoring and educating youth. Throughout my school years, I actively engaged in leadership and youth development opportunities. In high school, a leadership course led me to tutor grade 9 students in academic subjects after school. This quickly evolved into personal and professional development mentoring, as students began to trust me with their career choices, college applications, and personal matters. Recognizing the impact I could make, I decided to pursue this path long-term.
Over the years, I connected with over 100 youth in Canada and globally through one-on-one virtual and in-person mentorship sessions. Helping youth develop personally and professionally was incredibly fulfilling, but I realized I needed to be my best self to provide the best support. At a critical point in my life, I faced significant challenges, including transitioning out of an abusive environment into a period where I was without stable housing. During this transitional phase, I found myself in a women’s transitional facility, where I encountered individuals experiencing homelessness and heard their stories. There, I connected with other BIPOC women who shared their stories of escaping forced marriages, seeking better opportunities, and fleeing domestic violence. Their experiences resonated deeply with me, and with community support, I was able to get back on my feet. I then committed to helping youth access opportunities and grow.
Joining my first youth volunteer program with Canada Services Corps, I learned more about nonprofit and grassroots organizations, connecting with youth across Canada and hearing their diverse experiences. These insights led me to advocate for women's and girls' rights at the United Nations. Upon returning to Toronto, I led impactful community projects which received over $15,000 in funding including recognition by Employment and Social Development Canada for the importance of volunteering. During one of our cohort programs, we heard from BIPOC youth who were passionate social impact advocates but felt burned out by the lack of genuine connections and opportunities. They shared their frustration with the barriers to accessing meaningful activities and support that could rejuvenate their passion and enhance their mental well-being. They expressed a strong desire for spaces that would allow them to explore new experiences and find authentic support while addressing the challenges they faced in their advocacy work.
Resonating with their burnout, I decided to create the Social Impact Club to address the gaps I saw in the social impact space. I wanted to create a space where changemakers and social impact advocates could connect, share resources, and genuinely support each other. Social Impact Club is dedicated to breaking down barriers, providing genuine networking opportunities, and creating a community where members can succeed in their social impact endeavors.
Driven by my commitment to community and youth mentoring, I have chosen to advance within the nonprofit and social impact sector by prioritizing giving back, breaking down barriers for youth, and innovatively addressing gaps. My aim is to eliminate obstacles and offer mentorship, resources, and support to individuals dedicated to creating meaningful change.
Q: What are some common challenges women face in the nonprofit sector, and how can mentorship help address these challenges?
I want to address non-genuine mentorship and competition between women. I've received superficial guidance and heard similar stories from others. This type of mentorship lacks true investment in the mentee’s growth, leaving them without the substantial support and development opportunities they need. Additionally, I've noticed increased competition among women, often fueled by jealousy, which creates a divisive environment that undermines collaboration and mutual upliftment.
In a recent talk with a group of women, I brought up these points, and many shared that they felt the same. Instead of focusing on the negatives, we discussed how to change ourselves and strengthen our approaches. Rather than focusing on others' accomplishments, we should focus on our own growth. This could involve addressing the root causes of our feelings, changing our perspectives, or concentrating on strengthening our nonprofits or youth-led organizations.
The key is to address the root causes of these issues, and many women need spaces where they can learn how to do that. Through genuine mentorship, women can build a network of allies who support their successes, provide constructive feedback, and create a culture of collaboration rather than competition. A supportive network can help women navigate the complexities of the nonprofit sector, enhance their leadership skills, and drive greater impact in their communities.
Q: What do you believe are the most critical components of an effective mentorship relationship?
I believe the most critical components of an effective mentorship relationship revolve around authenticity and genuine commitment. Having spent over a decade in this space, I've witnessed a spectrum of mentorship dynamics—from disingenuous interactions to impactful, supportive relationships.
Effective mentorship begins with a sincere intention to support and guide mentees through their journey. It requires mentors to actively listen, understand, and empathize with the challenges their mentees face. It’s about ensuring you see through with what you say and act upon it cordially and in a manner that is respectful.
Don’t value one person more than another—treat everyone equally. It's important to be consistent and reliable. Mentors should be trustworthy, giving regular support and helpful feedback. Setting clear goals and expectations from the start helps both the mentor and mentee stay on track and accountable throughout the process.
You can truly make a lasting impact on your mentee’s personal and professional growth by creating a relationship that is based on trust and consistency.
Q: Can you share any personal experiences where mentorship made a significant impact on your career or the careers of others?
When I first started exploring the nonprofit sector, I felt quite confused. Despite having a legal background, I didn’t understand key terminology like “board of directors,” the difference between federal vs provincial incorporation, or “articles of incorporation.” My breakthrough came when I attended a workshop through a program I was involved with while building my first nonprofit. The workshop was so exciting and informative that I emailed the speaker the next day, leading to a mentorship relationship that profoundly impacted me. This individual became my main point of contact for all things nonprofit, guiding me through the incorporation process step-by-step. Her genuine support and guidance were invaluable, and I ended up referring other youth to her as well.
Through starting a nonprofit and learning the ins and outs—creating programs, taking on youth advisory boards, writing up policies, navigating government processes, and more—I gained a deep understanding not only of the nonprofit world but of myself. Although I had to unfortunately dissolve my nonprofit, the events I attended, the conversations with other youth, and the opportunities that shaped my viewpoint about this sector taught me a lot about myself. I’m still in touch with my mentor, who continues to provide me with resources and support, and I remain connected to numerous nonprofits in Canada and around the world. My passion now lies in mentorship, helping other youth grow their organizations or advocacy work, and aiding nonprofits in finding and filling gaps with innovative solutions. This experience has had a profound positive impact on my career. It made me realize that my true passion—mentoring and supporting others in the nonprofit sector—was something I was already deeply engaged in. It confirmed that my fulfillment and growth came from the very work I was already doing, and it reinforced my commitment to helping others navigate their own paths in this field.
This realization reinforced the message from Terry Cole-Whittaker's book, What You Think of Me Is None of My Business, which emphasizes that to truly discover what you want to do in life, you must reconnect with your inner child. By embracing my deep-seated passion for mentorship and nonprofit work, I tapped into the desires and interests that resonated with my inner self, validating the book’s premise that aligning with your true passions often requires revisiting and honoring the dreams and inclinations you had as a child.
Q: Can you share a success story where your mentorship significantly influenced the growth and leadership of a young woman in the nonprofit sector?
When I first started mentoring one of my mentees, she was unsure about the direction for her youth-led organization. She needed guidance on whether to incorporate, how to secure funding, and how to build a team. After our initial meeting, I addressed her concerns by connecting her with my network and providing contact information and resource links to assist her in making informed decisions. Through regular check-ins and referrals, she received the support she needed to successfully incorporate her organization. This enabled her to significantly increase her impact in the community, meet the needs of her target audience, and seize opportunities for public speaking and further growth.
Q: What metrics or indicators do you use to measure the success and impact of your mentorship efforts?
The most important metric I use to measure the success and impact of my mentorship efforts is the mentee’s progress and goal achievements. Before each call, I ensure that mentees have an opportunity to share their goals or any roadblocks via a sign-up process. This preparation allows me to provide the best possible support. Setting goals at the beginning helps me understand their long-term objectives, such as career development, skill enhancement, or project completion. Regularly collecting feedback to gauge satisfaction, relationship quality, and perceived benefits helps me analyze the overall mentorship experience and address any gaps with innovative solutions aligned with the mentee’s goals. This feedback also provides both me and the mentee an opportunity to discuss session effectiveness, areas for improvement, and the overall experience. I also prioritize enhancing the mentee’s network and collaboration skills. By sharing opportunities, guiding them through applications, and providing overall support, I track their involvement in collaborative projects and initiatives. Additionally, I monitor their confidence, leadership skills, and problem-solving abilities through self-assessment tools and mentor observations. These metrics collectively ensure a comprehensive evaluation of the mentorship’s success and impact.
Q: How do you think the landscape of women’s leadership in nonprofits will evolve in the next 5-10 years?
As a racialized woman and immigrant, I often face challenges accessing opportunities in the nonprofit and social impact sectors. Many organizations still lack inclusivity and supportive environments for women, both in leadership and other roles. For example, a DEI Board should genuinely represent diverse backgrounds. Women in leadership need proper resources and support to thrive, and valuing diversity is key for innovation and effective problem-solving. To truly support women, we need more authentic mentorship and sponsorship programs that offer opportunities to a variety of women. It’s common to see the same people giving presentations, speaking on panels, and leading workshops repeatedly. If organizations want to genuinely address "gender equity" and "diversity," they need to showcase a broader range of voices by doing an open call for speakers to showcase their experience or work. Highlighting different perspectives brings valuable experiences and insights, which are essential for progress. The landscape of women’s leadership in nonprofits will only improve when we recognize and support the diverse needs of women in the sector.
Q: What advice would you give to young women aspiring to leadership roles in nonprofits?
Seize every opportunity that comes your way! Apply for programs, volunteer in your community, and openly share your personal story. Network and collaborate with others—connecting with new people and organizations can be incredibly beneficial as you navigate the nonprofit sector.
Don’t shy away from discussing your personal journey and the obstacles you've overcome. Your experiences are essential for driving change and advocating for communities. For example, if you've faced barriers to education, you can help address those same barriers for others. If you’ve experienced the impacts of climate change in your home country, your perspective is invaluable.
Embrace and share your lived experiences in your advocacy and on public platforms. Your story matters, resonates with others, and will play a key role in advancing your career in the nonprofit sector!
Q: What resources or opportunities would you recommend for women looking to advance their careers in the nonprofit sector?
Some key resources I highly recommend for women looking to advance their careers in the nonprofit sector include:
Women’s Nonprofit Network LinkedIn group: This group has been incredibly valuable for my own learning and development. It provides access to numerous opportunities and serves as a supportive community where you can share resources and support fellow women seeking growth in the sector.
Nonprofitready.org: This platform offers a comprehensive library of free courses on nonprofit operations. While it's primarily focused on U.S. organizations, it provides foundational knowledge essential for nonprofits in Canada, such as understanding board operations and organizational basics. This resource has greatly enhanced my understanding of nonprofit complexities.
Community organizations like the Centre for Social Innovation: These organizations offer extensive networking opportunities and a supportive environment for nonprofits and social impact initiatives.
LinkedIn: Use LinkedIn to connect with others in the nonprofit sector. Building relationships through this platform can open doors to new opportunities and collaborations.
Volunteering: Getting involved with other organizations provides hands-on learning and development, benefiting both personal growth and the organizations you work with.
Additionally, don’t overlook the power of personal connections. Reach out to someone in the sector and invite them to participate in your event, speak on a panel, lead a workshop, or deliver a keynote. Many individuals are willing to engage in these opportunities. Similarly, introduce yourself to others in the sector and discuss how you can offer support in return. This approach is about mutual benefit and collaboration, not just a 50/50 exchange.
Connect with Tooba on LinkedIn here.
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