Though charitable causes drive social change, their success depends on the support of numerous stakeholders, including volunteers, donors, board members, and employees. But bridging the gap between individual dedication and institutional impact is far from simple. Where does a passion for service fit in the complexities of work-life balance? As a rising professional, Angela Kim has faced this challenge during a significant career transition. Determined to contribute to her community, Kim left a corporate position for a new opportunity in nonprofit management, now serving as Director of Finance and Operations at the Academy of Hope Adult Public Charter School in Washington, D.C.

Envisioning a Better Future: Growing up in a Korean-American immigrant community, Kim focused on academic achievement and financial success as the keys to the American Dream. But her priorities changed when she saw the poverty, violence, and drug problems affecting her native Baltimore. Listen to how her early awareness of injustice led to a meaningful nonprofit career—a powerful testimony about how broader cultural awareness can help children develop a strong social conscience.  

Making a Difference While Making a Living: Full-time work in the nonprofit sector is not always an option. Initially combining a hectic job in tech with volunteer work at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Kim’s career path illustrates how charitable efforts and a corporate life are not mutually exclusive. Her insights reveal more about how employees and teams of private sector companies can participate in volunteer initiatives.    

Harnessing the Power of the Collective: When she first entered the nonprofit sector, Kim saw how her team had to make do with few resources, a far cry from state-of-the-art IT systems in the tech industry. Yet her current organization, Academy of Hope, offers adult education courses that promote literacy and life skills to help break the cycle of poverty. Hear more about how giving, sharing, and service—impulses all of us can cultivate—help ensure the success of their mission.

This article was composed by Emily Hershman.