LaToya Williams-Belfort
Chief Development and Communications Officer Partnership with Children
New York, N.Y.?
Age: 39
It is said that there are two great days in a person?s life: the day you?re born, and the day you discover why. LaToya Williams-Belfort discovered her ?why? five years into her career as a corporate event planner. ?I was at a personal crossroads and found myself more and more concerned about the social conditions children in urban America face,? she explains. ?I knew that I wanted to use my skills and experience to support vulnerable populations in New York City ? a city I love, was born in and grew up in.? Her first foray into the world of nonprofits was not as smooth as she had hoped. There were colleagues who did not share her sense of altruism. ?I assumed that people in nonprofit were passion-driven, caring professionals,? says Williams-Belfort. ?The experience made me create a professional mantra of doing business daily with power and passion.?
Initially called Big Sisters, Partnership with Children was established in 1908 to help children overcome the stress of growing up in poverty, positioning them to succeed. Williams-Belfort is its chief development and communications officer, but calls herself chief salesperson. ?Choosing to run your nonprofit like a for-profit business ensures [that] you avoid unnecessary expenditures that could cost the livelihood of your organization and the crucial services and supports you provide,? she notes. ?Nonprofits are a business! We don?t sell a service or product, we deal directly with people?s lives!?
Williams-Belfort has a bachelor?s degree in media and communications from the State University of New York at Old Westbury. Away from work, she is ?sports mom? to her two sons, and a budding sommelier. ?I?ve become obsessed with discovering the perfect wine to pair with an exact entr?e or dessert,? she confesses. ?Getting this match just right can result in a little piece of heaven on Earth!”
FUN FACTS:
Artist you would tour with: Queen Beyonce Favorite book: The Color Purple by Alice Walker First car: Volkswagen Tiguan Dish you cook best: Baked Macaroni and Cheese Favorite charity: Partnership with Children and Children of Promise NYC
