Nonprofit organizations have always been drivers of systemic change and the nonprofit sector of Buffalo, NY is no exception. From supporting underserved communities or teaching civic leaders how to give back, local nonprofits prioritize listening and meeting the community’s needs. Women have long been at the heart and head of these spaces, seeking opportunities to bring change while upholding their company’s mission and vision. At the same time, they work to overcome challenges they encounter as women in leadership and learn to balance their personal and professional lives.
TalentRise recently placed three female nonprofit CEOs who have embodied this multi-faceted role. In exclusive interviews with us, they shared their experiences on what it takes to thrive in their positions and ensure the continued success of their organizations.

Michelle Sawyers
President and CEO of Young Women’s Christian Association, or YWCA of Western New York. YWCA combats racism, social injustice, and inequity by strengthening and advocating for women and people of color. Over the years, Michelle has led efforts in educational attainment, student support services, workforce development, economic development and housing.

Morgan Hardy
CEO of Leadership Buffalo. Leadership Buffalo is dedicated to cultivating inclusive and adaptive leaders to deepen connections that drive civic responsibility, professional development, and community impact throughout the Greater Buffalo region. Morgan has managed leadership development and youth programs. Morgan has managed leadership development and youth programs to nurture their education and professional growth.

Pam Bos Kefi
CEO of Journey’s End Refugee Services, which helps refugees become active, self-sufficient participants in western New York and teaches cultural understanding. Pam has also worked with trauma victims and survivors, in deaf access services, and in intercultural communication.
The Path to Leadership
When these women first entered the nonprofit sector, they were driven by their own desire to give back. Their commitment to reviving excluded communities gave them confidence to advance in their careers. For Morgan, her faith, love for people, community leaders, and mentors inspired her to lead a cause. “Nonprofit work has a pulse,” she shares, referring to the dynamic, responsive nature of the industry. Having previously worked in government as a deputy commissioner of youth services, she understands nonprofits can be much more flexible, and she can respond to challenges without overly bureaucratic delays.
Pam moved into higher roles after realizing that true impact is possible from a position of leadership. She stated, “The higher up you are, the more influence you have in shaping policies and systems that impact entire communities.” By leading, she can direct the operations that advocate for marginalized groups, fostering the kind of systemic change she strives for.
Michelle’s devotion comes from her understanding of life’s unpredictability. She says, “It is important to recognize that life is unpredictable, and your circumstances can shift easily. One moment you are offering support, the next, you may be the one who needs to be supported. I’m always mindful of that. Humility is key when your desire is to be of service. The goal is to create a strengthened community that uplifts one another.”
Creating Change
To ensure they are fulfilling what the community needs, Pam stresses active listening. Since many refugees are focused on survival and are less likely to voice their concerns, Pam relies on feedback from staff, community leaders, and partners. “I’m trying to be very observant, and I pay a lot of attention to people’s frustrations. And then, I start to formulate what I think might be trends or systemic barriers that I’m hearing over and over again,” she notes. She stays on top of the latest discourse around immigration, such as the growing tensions between the immigrant and the African American population, to evaluate the engagement between immigrants and diversity in American society.
Morgan further speaks to the transition and adaptability of a nonprofit leader. She says, “We’re seeing an increase of new American population moving into Buffalo and so, as leaders, we should be taking a step back and saying, ‘How do I embrace this movement? This transition that’s happening now?’ because they are now a part of the community. You have to be flexible and agile as a leader.”
Regarding internal operations, Pam elaborates on the importance of delegation and balance within her team. “I’m fortunate to be an organization that has well-developed resources and layers of leadership under me, so I don’t have to single-handedly worry about all of those. I get to be more of a coach and mentor,” she says. She has much more time to build her team and nurture the relationships within her circle. She isn’t stretching herself too thin with all of the managerial responsibilities, which is likely to happen to a leader if their ego gets in the way of the mission.
Above all else, each of them stressed the importance of referring to their organization’s mission and vision. “The mission is my beacon. It’s my focus. I use that as my guide. I am constantly assessing how my efforts aligned with the mission,” Michelle stated. “We are focused on improving lives, and we use the social determinants of health as a guide to approach the work of human services from a holistic perspective. The YWCA pursues opportunities based on mission alignment and impact. Our intention is to be responsive to the needs of the community, while we also grow with an intent to create access to new opportunities while advocating for equity.”
Taking Up Space
Although nonprofits are a historically female-dominated industry, they may find themselves the only woman at tables that include for-profit leaders or those who can provide fundraising support. Michelle insisted, “Competence should define leadership. It’s not about gender. It’s about the ability to get things done.” As a woman of color, Michelle urges aspiring young leaders to know that their work matters. “Not only do I matter, but the work that I’m there to achieve is important and it deserves to have the opportunity to not only be heard but supported.” Whether you are entering the legal system, medical field, political landscape, or nonprofits, she says, “Women should lean in, and not only take up space, but boldly sit there. As we do it, we will create a new norm.”
Morgan affirms the significance of staying united with other women, especially in your workspace. She recognizes, “When you say you are a champion of women, you truly have to live and breathe that every day. You have to be an inclusive leader, even then, when it comes to just supporting other women.” If not, you may create much more of a battle for yourself and those around you. Afterall, you cannot take on systemic change alone. All three women have strong support systems behind them to root them on, balance them out, and be there whenever they’re facing a challenging day. Michelle quoted the renowned media host, producer, and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey, “‘Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher,’” and expressed her desire for young women to remember this powerful message.
Self-Care
To continue putting her best foot forward each day, Pam generally carves out time for self-care, like spending time with her grandson in the morning. As she continues to learn her new position at Journey’s End, she finds that she isn’t always able to substitute hours of her time. When scheduling a meeting, she may suggest that they take a walk outside during the meeting time. It’s her way of “weaving things together” that are helpful to herself and others.
As a past adjunct professor in higher education, Michelle would remind herself and her students, many of whom were first-generation, of the profound impact of words. “You have to speak life to yourself, so I continue to do that, especially during moments of stress. I am mindful that words that follow ‘I am’ follow you. Therefore, I choose an internal dialog that is empowering. I practice mindfulness, and I give myself grace, with the understanding that I am human.” Instead of ruminating on her flaws or faults, she empowers herself with words of affirmation to fuel her growth in her career and daily life.
To avoid feeling overwhelmed or burnt out with opposing deadlines, Morgan remains honest with herself and sets clear boundaries and expectations with others. “It’s really about having time to yourself, giving yourself grace, and recognizing the space that you’re now in. You can’t please everyone, but being authentic to the mission, being authentic to the vision, being authentic to yourself are probably the key things that you can do when leading a nonprofit.”
Empowering Nonprofit Leadership: A Vision for Systemic Change
The stories of Michelle Sawyers, Morgan (Williams-Bryant) Hardy, and Pam Bos Kefi illuminate the transformative power of women leaders in the nonprofit sector. Their journeys demonstrate that true leadership is about more than titles—it’s about commitment to mission, community responsiveness, and creating meaningful systemic change.
These leaders embody key principles that transcend organizational boundaries:
- Mission-Driven Focus: Staying true to organizational goals
- Community Listening: Actively understanding and responding to community needs
- Adaptive Leadership: Remaining flexible and responsive to emerging challenges
- Inclusive Representation: Creating space for diverse voices and perspectives
Their collective wisdom reveals that nonprofit leadership is not just about managing an organization, but about nurturing a vision that empowers communities, challenges systemic barriers, and creates pathways for meaningful social progress.
As we look to the future, these women remind us that leadership is fundamentally about service, empathy, and the unwavering belief that positive change is possible—one community, one initiative, and one courageous decision at a time.