Faithful Servant Leader Retires After 15 Years at Nonprofit Leadership Center

Lorraine Faithful retires from the nonprofit sector after decades of life-changing work

Did you know that when the Nonprofit Leadership Center started, we were called the Management Assistance Program? Most people don’t remember that, but 15-year NLC staff member Lorraine Faithful was there from the beginning.

“I loved coming into NLC on the ground level,” Lorraine recalls. “It was exciting to help shape what people know today as the Nonprofit Leadership Center and watch it continue to grow through the years.”

From NLC’s name and logo to existing operations, processes and procedures, Lorraine helped develop what you know today as the Nonprofit Leadership Center. She even helped start and coordinate NLC’s first-ever Certificate in Volunteer Management.

“Back in 2007, we had two all-day sessions on board governance called Get on Board,” Lorraine said. “It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come with more than 70 classroom trainings, certificate programs, an annual conference and many small group and customized learning experiences for nonprofit leaders today.”

Lorraine celebrated her final day as the Nonprofit Leadership Center’s business and operations manager on January 31, 2022.

Lorraine began her career in the nonprofit sector in Hawaii, where she helped the Hawaii Youth Services Network get its start. While in Hawaii, she benefitted greatly from an organization similar to NLC, where she received training on a large variety of nonprofit topics, experiencing first-hand the value and benefits of such development.

We asked Lorraine to take on one final assignment: answer a few questions she has received most often as she prepares for her much-deserved retirement.

Four Questions with Lorraine Faithful

1. What accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at NLC?

I’m proud of being part of NLC’s history, its new beginnings and developing and growing our own capacity to assist other nonprofits in building theirs.

2. What class should everyone take at NLC?

Everyone should take the Certificate in Board Governance, also known as the Nonprofit Board Governance Rock Star Certificate. Leadership begins at the top, so the top requires excellence in leadership skills.

3. What will you miss most at NLC?

I will miss being an integral part of a mission that impacts so many leaders and organizations. I will miss the action in an action-packed organization that never presented me a single dull hour in 15 years!

4. What’s the first thing you plan to do when you’re retired?

My list is long! First up is planning trips to see my grandkids in California and Hawaii!