How mentorship, growth, and a passion for giving back shaped Michele Bivens' leadership experience.
Leadership opportunities often emerge when we least expect them. For Michele Bivens, serving as the CFO for ATD-Orange County wasn’t just about budgets and reports—it was about building connections, fostering mentorship, and leaving a legacy for future leaders. Her story is a testament to how stepping into a leadership role with ATD-OC can spark personal growth and professional transformation.
When Michele joined ATD-OC, she didn’t anticipate the profound impact mentorship—both giving and receiving—would have on her leadership journey.
“I recognized that mentors can be found anywhere,” Michele shares. Through her interactions with volunteers and members who reached out to her, Michele found herself guiding others to uncover insights they might not have realized on their own. At the same time, she learned from those around her, gaining lessons from board members and volunteers.
This reciprocal mentorship experience reinforced a critical leadership truth: when we open ourselves to both teach and learn, we create opportunities for unexpected growth.
As CFO, Michele brought her dedication to excellence and her commitment to leaving the role better than she found it. From streamlining processes to improving financial transparency, her contributions have created a lasting impact:
Transitioning ATD-OC’s bank accounts to a nonprofit-focused institution, helping ATD-OC save money while increasing returns on savings.
Simplifying financial documents to make monthly reports easier for non-financial board members to understand.
Updating process documents to provide a valuable resource for her successor.
Michele didn’t stop there. Recognizing the value of mentorship in her own experience, she paid it forward. Over several months, Michele worked closely with the incoming CFO, sharing knowledge, processes, and insights to ensure a seamless transition.
“It was extremely important to me to pay forward the mentorship I received,” she reflects. Her efforts exemplify ATD-OC’s culture of collaboration, support, and shared success.
Michele’s experience at ATD-OC highlights key leadership lessons:
Mentors Are Everywhere: By staying open to learning and guiding others, you’ll uncover opportunities for mutual growth.
Leave a Legacy: Leadership is about making a positive impact that outlasts your tenure.
Pay It Forward: Sharing your knowledge and experience ensures the next generation of leaders can thrive.
Michele’s story is just one example of the transformative leadership opportunities available through ATD-Orange County. Whether you’re leading workshops, mentoring new professionals, or stepping into a board role, ATD-OC provides a supportive platform for developing essential leadership skills.
“Mentoring and receiving mentoring outside of our organizations can help us grow in ways we did not expect,” Michele shares. Her experience proves that leadership doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens when we connect, share, and learn together.
Are you ready to develop your leadership skills, connect with like-minded professionals, and make a lasting impact? ATD-Orange County is here to support you every step of the way.
Discover what leadership opportunities await you—get involved with ATD-OC today!
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