Meet Nancy Dempze, Manomet’s Board Chair

On the larger level, Manomet is a top priority for me because it’s doing work now to address our most important challenge, sustaining our planet. We only have a decade to get things right on climate. I could do every possible thing individually to reduce my footprint, but that’s not really enough. Manomet is the best way for me and others to leverage time and resources to make a difference now.

Manomet scientists are truly visionary. They focus their efforts on the best way to use program dollars by partnering with other nonprofit and for-profit organizations to make immediate improvements in agricultural practices; how forests are managed; how fisheries are sustained, and more. I can’t think of a better way to spend my nonprofit time or money than supporting Manomet’s work.

You’ve had an interesting career, including working as an oncology nurse and now as a partner at a law firm. How will those experiences shape your term as the Manomet board chair?

I think we’re all a product of our past experiences. I’ve had three different types of careers since I graduated from college. My first job was as an oncology nurse at Stanford, which taught me how to help patients face challenging situations, work collaboratively with a team of specialists, prioritize competing demands, and solve problems creatively and with humor. My patients and their families were facing tough situations and it was helpful to use humor to lighten things up and get through the day.

As far as how that applies to Manomet, the Board has the challenge of helping Manomet grow its programs and its profile, plus Manomet’s also taking on some serious issues that are hard to tackle and trying to do it in a very positive and practical way. Time is of the essence; that same sense of urgency that we had in the hospital applies here. The Board has been great at stepping up to help Manomet further its mission. Everyone is doing everything that they can.

My second career was as a pharmaceutical sales representative. Having a sales background and not being afraid to ask for something is really helpful as we fundraise, grow our programs, and convince foundations and others to support us. Having a clear, compelling story is as important for Manomet as it was for sales. Manomet has to take complex programs and explain them in a clear, concise, and compelling way—it’s fun to help with that messaging.

Finally, my current work as an estate planning attorney and an advisor to nonprofits and foundations is helpful because I see how philanthropy is so important for people. When you approach people with a well-run organization that they can support, you’re actually helping them find a solution because they want to invest in the right ways to accomplish positive change. People want to invest in an organization like Manomet where their dollars can do the most possible to support bird research and conservation and improve sustainability.

So can you tell us a little bit about what your goals as Board Chair?

My main goal is to help Manomet grow its programs and to be ‘best in class’ in the areas it works in. To do that, we need to expand our profile and grow our partnerships with for-profits, nonprofits, and foundations, and energize the board to help these efforts. And, of course, I want to be supportive to Manomet’s leadership and staff.

What role do you think that the for-profit industry needs to play in building a more sustainable tomorrow?

I couldn’t agree more with John Hagan, who says that the only way to move the needle on sustainability is to partner with for-profits. For-profits can act more quickly than government and they control most of the world’s resources. Consumer pressure is waking up for-profits to the fact that by adopting sustainable practices, they will not only save costs, but also increase goodwill with their customers. In investment management, an area that I work in as a Trustee, ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) is the fastest-growing area. I’m happy to say this is happening because individuals, foundations and non-profit endowments are demanding it.

Manomet’s unique way of working collaboratively with for-profits is great because they’re getting these organizations to do things now, not when it’s too late.

Is there anything else that you’d like to share that we haven’t touched upon?

I would like anyone reading this to know that Manomet really needs more people to get involved in helping further its mission. I’m not just talking about donations, but about volunteering for Manomet events, sharing Manomet’s work, introducing Manomet to partners and potential funders and coming to our events, especially our signature fundraising event in Boston, September 26^th, 2019.

Learn more about getting involved with Manomet!