Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Elaine Brown. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Elaine, thanks for joining us today. Looking back, what’s an important lesson you learned at a prior job?

I have worked in the nonprofit arena most of my professional life, I have learned the value of Volunteerism and the appreciation of Volunteers and Donors. I have worked at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Ballet Austin, PBS/Austin City Limits and various other organizations as both Staff and as a Volunteer.

I have been in many positions where I needed Volunteers such as with SWATT. It is the Volunteers who sacrifice, give and “DO” to make sure the job gets done and the mission is fulfilled.

Elaine, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I first got involved with nonprofit when I was in Graduate School at the University of Texas at Austin. I was an intern at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and upon graduation I stayed and served as the Art Director/Graphic Designer. We all wore many hats for such a large organization and that is where I learned about development. We worked with Volunteers and Major Donors and I also was involved in creating and producing all the collateral materials.

Many wonderful relationships developed, and I was recruited to Ballet Austin where I was the Development and Marketing Director. The subject matter and Mission, like the Wildflower Center, was an easy Mission to represent. I then did the same at PBS where I worked with a National Board of Directors. I have been trained by the best, served for wonderful causes and learned from peers and Leaders.

I have been able to bring all that I have learned forward to running SWATT.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

What has built my reputation and the reputation of SWATT is reliability, dependability and communication. Our response rate is excellent and we acknowledge every inquiry we receive, We perform and take the time to develop relationships with our Volunteers/Flight Angels and the Rescue Organizations approved for our transportation services.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

That is a pretty simple answer. Acknowledge and Thank the Team Leads and really everyone. I lead by example, because I do the work and support the work, Attitude of Gratitude.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.swattransport.org
• Instagram: swatt_transport
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SWATTInfo/
• Twitter: SWATT Transport@SwattRescue

Image Credits
Elaine Brown