Alumni Spotlight: Marsha Dobrzynski, CNM '96
Q. You made the change from the nursing field to your current position as Executive Director of Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio (YANEO). What influenced you to make this change and how do you think it has impacted your professional and personal life?
My decision to switch careers was a very natural transition for me. I was not working at the time, as I had two young children, but was spending a lot of time volunteering in the arts community. I have always been a member of the arts audience and it was easy for me to volunteer time in this area. I was fortunate to have the arts as a major part of my childhood education and life. When I learned about the mission of Young Audiences, it was a perfect fit - arts, young people and education.
There are many shared beliefs in the nonprofit world and believe it or not, I don't view nursing as being very different from what I am doing now. At Young Audiences, I work to ensure that today's children are prepared for their future. We are mission driven in the same way that those in health care are.
Q. You joined YANEO at a time when it was struggling financially, and have since increased programming over 600 percent. Tell us a bit about how you did this and what your long-term goals are for YANEO.
The recovery of YANEO was a team effort of staff, board and artists. We used the principles that I learned in the certificate program - mission, vision, quality staff, planning, collaboration, strategy. Today, YANEO is a strong, financially secure organization with a committed board of directors, staff and teaching artists. Thanks to The Cleveland Foundation Arts Advancement program that we were fortunate to participate in a couple years ago, we were able to establish a cash reserve and have been adding to our endowment fund. And now, YANEO is a part of the Community Wealth Collaborative developing a new earned income stream.
The long-term goal for YANEO is to work to ensure that all children in Northeast Ohio have access to high-quality arts as part of their education and development. YANEO is implementing a new initiative in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District - Art is Education - in partnership with 38 arts and cultural organizations and the school administration. This collaborative approach will enable the community to reach every child in every school, every day. YANEO is expanding to do this in the 18-county area by partnering with other organizations in the area, combining the resources of many organizations and individuals.
Q. How has your Certificate in Nonprofit Management helped you in your current role at YANEO?
As I mentioned, I have put to good use most of what I learned in the Certificate Program. Although I had volunteered in nonprofits, the certificate program helped pull everything together, especially the financial management and strategy courses. Those were the two classes that had the greatest impact on me. I didn't balance my personal checking account (I still don't!), but I am very driven by the numbers now. It helps in forecasting and planning. YANEO budgets carefully while working very hard to pay our staff and artists competitively. The strength of this organization is the talented individuals who work with us - staff and artists.
Q. As an alumna, you remain very active in the Mandel Center community. What are some of your favorite activities to participate in, and why do you think it's important to maintain your connection to the Center?
I have been on the Mandel Center Nonprofit Awards Selection Committee for several years and really enjoy it. Although the selection is always a very difficult one, it is amazing to read about the dedication and accomplishments of so many Northeast Ohio nonprofit leaders. I am humbled every year by these individuals. Greater Cleveland has such potential to do great things with all of these gifted people. I think everyone who is on the committee, many Mandel Center alumni, learns a lot just from reading the applications.
I also enjoy working with the current students who need nonprofit placements for a course. I think YANEO staff learns more than the students in these instances. We have made numerous changes to the organization after the analysis of a grad student in a strategy or organizational management class. It keeps us on our toes!
Q. What other activities, hobbies, organizations, etc do you try to make time for?
I spend most of my free time at arts events - the Orchestra, Opera Cleveland, Great Lakes Theatre and others - or trying new restaurants. I serve on a couple nonprofit boards, too. And I love to walk and spend time with family.
Q. Is there anything else you would like to share with us about yourself?
I traveled to southern Africa in May 2008 on a three-week camping trip with my 24-year-old daughter. The trip changed my life. Most of us struggle to maintain the illusion of control in our jobs and lives, but in Africa that illusion is almost impossible to maintain, even for a tourist. Everything is so unpredictable in so many countries - running water, electricity and the availability of certain necessities, such as shoes or light bulbs. I look at life a little differently now, I try not to be in such a rush, to appreciate what we have in the U.S. and to work even harder to make sure tomorrow's leaders are well-educated - and that includes the arts.
