Shift Member Shout-Out: Leah Weiner of Non-Profit Learning Lab

The inspiration felt throughout Shift is contagious. When members buzz around the community spaces at lunchtime, you’re bound to hear someone talking about their most recent deal or that one “ah-ha” moment that led them to where they are today.

Someone who is constantly inspiring us is Leah Weiner, founder 0f Non-Profit Learning Lab. Leah is quite literally a catalyst of inspiration. Her company acts a connection for companies that strive to better the world as we know it.

Hi Leah! Thanks so much for meeting with us to share your story. Let’s start this off with a little bit about you…

I moved to Denver a year ago from Los Angeles. I miss my morning runs on Venice Beach but I am learning to love the mountains! And looking forward to next ski season when I will actually be able to get on the slopes!

Awesome. Now let’s talk business. Fill us in on Non-Profit Learning Lab. We’d love for people to get involved!

I am the Founder and CEO of the Non-Profit Learning Lab, an organization dedicated to empowering nonprofits and supporting professionals. The Nonprofit Learning Lab is a national organization that connects, supports and develops professionals leading the nonprofit sector. We work with nonprofit professionals to sharpen their skills in fundraising, board development, organizational leadership and capacity building. We offer a variety of programs and services including grants, scholarships, a mentor program, career center, webinars, conferences, trainings and more. We have 35,000 subscribers who receive our weekly e-newsletter and 1000+ members. Our members are from across the country and include organizations such as American Red Cross, Teach for America, American Cancer Society, Clinica Colorado, Humane Society, Museum of Boulder and more!

We are also recruiting professionals to serve on our National Advisory Committee. If you offer services or products that benefit nonprofits, let’s chat! Serving on our National Advisory Committee can bring exposure to your and your business. Our National Advisory Committee members write guest blog posts, lead webinars and share their expertise with our members.

What about your job inspires you? Are there clients that you’ve worked with that inspire you?

I launched the Nonprofit Learning Lab because my passion is to ensure that individuals working in the nonprofit sector are armed with best practices, tools and strategies, and a community of peers. I have long believed that having a strong network of support makes the day-to-day work of a nonprofit professional much easier. It can be challenging work and sometimes doesn’t come with a lot of pay, so having a support system is really important! I have been working in the nonprofit sector for over 12+ years. I have a doctorate in organizational leadership and development, my research focused on best practices for nonprofit organizations. So, I am lucky to have created a job for myself that combines my passion and expertise.

You just recently gave birth to your second baby boy. Did you come up with a name yet?

Yes! Ezra is his name and he was born in March. I am excited to be fully participating in Shift happy hours after my maternity leave….that keg has been calling my name for over 10 months now!

Shift Member Shout-Out : Cooper Hopkins

I met with Shift member, Cooper Hopkins, who works for the San Francisco-based tech company, TalentRover. Cooper filled me in on his career, his hometown and where he’s headed this summer. Check it out.

Tell us a little about your business.

Talent Rover is a SaaS provider of Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Applicant Tracking System (ATS), and back office solution designed exclusively for Staffing and Recruiting firms. Being an OEM partner of Salesforce, we leverage the technical infrastructure, data security, and investments that Salesforce.com being a $6 billion company makes in their own product, and then build the custom workflows that staffing and recruiting professionals demand to be successful in their day-to-day efforts.

What’s something you’re really proud of, from a business standpoint?

Won an all-expenses paid “Top Performer’s” trip to Maui in my last job.

Where are you from? What made you move to Colorado?

I grew up right outside of Providence, RI and most of my family remains on the East Coast. I first came to Denver in 2008 to attend the University of Denver and never left. Skiing has always been my first love, however once I realized I could not ski all summer long I started fly fishing. Between the two, very few weekends are spent at home in Denver. My buddy and I now run a fly fishing website called www.deltatroutforce.com. Check it out!

Go Pats!

What’s your current favorite TV show or favorite TV show of all time?

This is a terrible thing to admit, but I was watching the Bachelor religiously as I have a friend that was on the show. We’ll leave it at that. I am not sure if I have a favorite TV Show of All Time but my favorite week of TV year after year is Discovery’s Shark Week.

Any Red Rocks show you’re interested in seeing this Summer?

Really hoping to go to the Devil Makes Three/Shakey Graves show at the end of May.

Any big trips planned?

Currently planning a trip to the Republic of Kiribati (aka “Christmas Island”) which is a chain of coral atolls located between Hawaii and Fiji and is one of the premier saltwater fly-fishing destinations in the world.