We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Natalie Zanoni a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Natalie, appreciate you joining us today. How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?
I started my career as a youth therapist in a residential center in Milwaukee. I worked with adolescents who experienced trauma, substance use and mental health challenges. Their mission and the roles I had within that organization set the direction of my career path. It was very challenging work with numerous barriers, but also very rewarding. I learned so much about perseverance, strength, and fortitude from the youth I worked with as well as my colleagues. My first job set the tone for my career reinforcing that my work needed to be meaningful to me, have an impact, and allow me to work with community members. After six years and serving in several different roles, I move on to an opportunity at the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center as associate executive director before making my way to the Center on Colfax in November of 2021.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I currently serve as the Chief Operating Officer at the Center on Colfax. I specialize in program development and evaluation as well as clinical supervision and management; especially in the areas of trauma, adolescent population, and LGBTQ+ matters. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (current licensure in Wisconsin and Colorado) and Substance Abuse Counselor with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Criminology from Marquette University and a master’s degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I have also earned certificates in Trauma Counseling, Clinical Supervision, and Non-Profit Business Management and am an instructor at Alverno College, teaching a LGBTQ+ Counseling course for their master’s Counseling Program. I continuously seek opportunities to learn and develop my skills as well as share my expertise with the next generation.
I am proud of the talented and dedicated team I work with here at the Center. In 2022 and the beginning of 2023 we have expanded current programs, created new programs and established collaborations and partnerships with over 115 community partners. New programs include the disabilities services program, the Saga young adult program and mental health program. I am excited to continue to grow the services and programs of the Center and to continue to expand our reach.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
I have a strong commitment to service, not only for the clients I serve but to the staff who are also providing those services. I work to ensure that the staff have what they need to do their jobs. I use a team-based approach to management in guiding people to reach beyond their self- perceived limitations and provide the needed support and assistance to reach their professional goals and those of the organization.
Managing a team and maintaining high morale requires one to be open, honest, and vulnerable at times. We have a shared mission, and we ensure that we can rely on each other and share in our struggles and successes.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
Passion. It can be easy to feel discouraged given the record number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills filled in 2022 and the increased instances of violence and demonstrations targeting LGBTQ+ populations. Having a passion for what you do helps drive you, gets you through the day-to-day struggles, and reminds you why you do what you do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lgbtqcolorado.org/