We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Patricia Shea. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Patricia below.

Alright, Patricia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

I was about ten years old when walking home from school one day, I found a $20 bill on the sidewalk near my family’s house. That night at dinner, when I could finally get a word in edgewise, I announced my great fortune to my family.

It took my dad about two seconds to respond: “Patti, after dinner, I want you to go door to door and find who lost that money.”

Was he kidding me?

“But Dad, what if they lie? What if they say they lost it and did not? How would I know?” I asked.

That’s when my father taught me an important lesson about giving and life: It doesn’t matter what someone else does with what I give them. All that matters is what I do. Whoa!

So after washing up the dishes, I headed out on my mission. I had only gone about four doors when old Mrs. Minder answered my knock. I can still remember the look on her face when she saw the $20 bill clutched in my hands; she was gobsmacked. Her eyes lit up with a smidge of moisture. Her smile was broad and genuine. Soon, she was ushering me in and explaining how she had gotten herself together, walked to the store, and found she had lost her grocery money. Twenty dollars was a lot of money back then, probably a week’s worth of groceries. Mrs. Minder gave me a big hug and a $5 bill and sent me on my way. I don’t remember walking home, as I believe I floated from the feeling of joy that overcame me. I felt so much pride for doing the right thing. My happiness mirrored Mrs. Minder’s. And I earned $5.
Thanks, Dad, you were so right.

Giving and sharing were big themes in my early life. My parents, seven siblings (yes, really), and I lived in a tiny house where we shared everything: one car, one bathroom, one bicycle, and one sock drawer. (I’m not kidding. The girls shared it.) To top this off, we lived in a tight-knit community just minutes from Wheeling, West Virginia, where everyone knew everyone. This is why giving is simply part of who I am. From a young age, I understood that “rising tides lift all boats.” Although I didn’t realize it at the time, this principle sowed the seeds for my life’s work and career path.

For the first seventeen years of my professional life, I worked in for-profit healthcare, first in market research and then in continuous quality improvement. Then, at the age of forty, I shifted my career from corporate America to the work of nonprofits. Most recently, I became a nonprofit President/CEO and a Co-Founder/CEO of a workplace-giving and volunteering-tech startup. Throughout my career, I have raised more than $50 million for worthy causes and recruited and engaged thousands of volunteers.

When I first pivoted my career to the nonprofit space, I never expected the demeaning comments from friends: “How can you stand begging for money?” And “You will be indebted to everyone in Nashville.”

Wow. I thought. I don’t beg. And I don’t want to be indebted to anyone. How am I going to do this fundraising thing differently? How am I going to make it work for me?

Luckily, I found a quote by author and fundraising legend Hank Rosso: “Fundraising is the gentle art of teaching the joy of giving.” Everything changed for me after that. I realized I was not asking for money; I was creating opportunities. I was not begging; I was inviting people to get involved and join something bigger. Because I asked, donors and volunteers had the chance to make a difference in areas that matter to them too.

People don’t realize that the human brain is wired for generosity, with neural pathways and hormone systems that reward us with good feelings when we help others. Being generous stimulates the same circuits that food, sex, and drugs activate. (Did you hear that? Very cool!) Researchers have even seen certain brain areas “light up” when people contemplate the smallest acts of kindness. Therapists affirm this, telling us that we are happier when connected to something bigger than ourselves.

In addition, medical studies show that giving may positively affect our physical health by lowering blood pressure, reducing the risk of dementia and cardiovascular disease, and even delaying death. Giving also nourishes our spiritual health. All the world’s major religions teach that those who give receive. It is accepted as a fundamental truth and a consistent message from all those known as God. Giving is what God (or Yahweh, Allah, Elohim) wants us to do. It is what He expects us to do.

Despite all this, “those who give receive” seems to remain a much-kept secret, especially for those whose innate generosity has yet to be ignited. Everyone knows the saying, but hardly anyone operates as if it’s true. Even people who have spent their lives pursuing charitable endeavors and experiencing abundance in return seem to forget it.

Through my giving and witnessing of giving, I know that generosity can bring us great personal joy while helping others. I’ve learned that giving has phenomenal psychological, physical, and spiritual benefits. But I’m here to help us take this one step further.

Sure, the benefits of giving are great, but “Being Giveful” is genuinely transformative. Being Giveful is the continuous practice of joyful, conscious, creative giving of ourselves to others. It is continuous because it is a way of living. It is joyful because we experience it in every part of ourselves: our thoughts, emotions, and energy. It is conscious because it keeps us present and open to all opportunities to connect. And lastly, it is creative because it is solely limited to our imagination and willingness to trust that which is both natural and profound.

Being Giveful expands and reimagines all giving. It moves our giving from an intellectual, transactional exercise to a felt sense of our whole being. It invites us to give freely and abundantly in alignment with who we are and what we value, encompassing everything from small acts of kindness to extraordinary contributions of time, talent, and treasure. You feel it. In your heart, in your gut. It creates energy that moves through you. Being Giveful allows us to be open to all we can do and all we can receive. It supports abundance. It is good for our body, mind, and soul, but it is also good for our world—and our world needs it right now.

In short, Being Giveful is a philosophy of being that combines philanthropy, spirituality, and self-care and is grounded on three fundamental beliefs:
1. When we give, we receive.
2. Giving and receiving are one single practice, functioning as the currency of our souls.
3. Humanity has all the resources needed to solve the problems we have created if we can access and use them.

I have experienced the power of Being Giveful time after time, and I want to share that power with others. In a sense, I want to be like the Dr. Ruth Westheimer of giving—a sex therapist who taught a whole generation the truth about sex: that it’s good for us and a natural part of life. The same thing is true about Being Giveful. It is good for us and a natural part of life. If we make the heartfelt decision to participate, it will always give us tremendous pleasure. I promise.

By introducing Being Giveful to others, I am helping others help others, which I believe is my purpose in life. (More on that later.) By writing this book and sharing my message, I am Being Giveful. It is what brings me joy. It is what gives me purpose and enlivens my soul. I am proof that people who continually give freely and abundantly of themselves are happier and healthier. They discover meaning and purpose.

Being Giveful provides an opportunity to elevate giving and receiving to a new dimension, growing giving and givers alike. I believe we can build a Being Giveful movement by suggesting people pursue “giving” as a personal wellness strategy and form of self-care. Could Giveful become the next national health craze (yes, you read that right) that improves our physical well-being, elevates our happiness, and deepens our spirituality?

I think so.

We are creatures of habit, after all. My 95-year-old mom still does her Jack LaLanne exercises every day. My husband practices yoga every chance he gets. So does my sister. My business partner meditates. (Thank you, Calm app). I have girlfriends constantly joining Noom and others rejoining Weight Watchers. (I hear the third time’s a charm!) People do what makes them feel healthier, especially if there is proof it works and others are doing it well.

By practicing Being Giveful as part of our daily wellness strategy, we can create a kinder, more open-hearted world. A world where resources are plentiful and basic human needs are met. At the end of the day, we are all connected, like the root system of an Alpine Forest. There is enough, and we have enough, to care for humanity.

Patricia, 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?

After 17+ years of successfully leading nonprofits and raising millions of dollars, I became the co-founder & CEO of Givful. We provided a workplace giving and volunteering tech solution to employers.

At the startup, our SaaS product was terrific, allowing employees to give directly from their paychecks to over 1.5 million U.S. nonprofits anytime. To promote our innovative platform, I began interviewing uber-successful businesswomen about their giving. I called my interviews “Being Giveful.”

During those five-minute Zoom calls, I asked each woman the same questions: “What is your philosophy of giving? Where did it come from? Share a favorite story of your giving. What happened, and what impact did your giving have on you?”

Their stories were fabulous, but the magical moments always came when women described the impact their giving had on them, not those who received their gifts. After years and years of participating in and watching giving, I had one of those “moments of knowing.” A sense of complete confidence overcame me as I remembered and recognized that universal, undisputed truth about giving: those who give receive.

In my experience, fundraising training did not include this well-known, closely-held axiom. We didn’t include it in our discussions as we developed giving strategies. It was as if the idea had been completely removed from philanthropy. And somehow, over the years, we adopted a more puritanical idea about giving. Those who give must suffer. They must feel some loss or pain for giving to count. You know what I’m talking about: “Give till it hurts!”

Living in the South, specifically in the Bible belt, I have met some very kind, virtuous individuals who genuinely believe that if we derive any pleasure from our giving, then we are not giving. (These are the same folks who thought I shouldn’t get paid as a nonprofit CEO since I was doing God’s work.) Instead, we should give, be miserable, and all will be well!

A great example is in a conversation with my girlfriend of twenty years. We were walking one afternoon, catching up on all kinds of things, when I shared my thoughts on my Being Giveful interviews. She said (and I quote), “I had to give up my joyful giving during COVID due to loss of income, but I did continue to tithe.” Think about this: she gave up her joyful giving but continued her joyless giving. Now that is some true southern crazy.

I want to start a movement. My goal is to share the concept of Being Giveful so we can grow “Givefuls” and giving. I believe we have everything we need to solve every problem we have created – if only people would open up and freely give and receive. If we can show others just how good giving is for them – that in giving, we receive – maybe we have a chance. Our world needs everyone to pursue Being Giveful.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

From my bio…

Pat Shea is a visionary leader who integrates a passion for social impact and business savvy to launch innovative ideas, build community, and lead organizations into the future.

Pat currently serves as a Partner in Shea Advisory Services, coaching and consulting with for-profit and non-profit organizations in entrepreneurism, leadership, philanthropy, gender equity, and social justice.

From 2018-2021, and before selling the company to iSolve (an Indianapolis-based payroll company), Pat was the Co-Founder, President & CEO of Givful, a technology SaaS start-up that automated workplace giving and volunteering. Givful was named Start-up of the Year in 2020 by the Greater Nashville Technology Council.

Beginning in 2005, Pat served as President & CEO for the YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee for eleven years. Shea grew net assets to $10M and raised over $50M stabilizing the 100+-year-old organization while increasing the number of women and girls served. While serving as CEO, Shea lobbied the YWCA USA to add men to her board and started MEND, a successful initiative to engage men in reducing violence against women and girls.

Other YWCA accomplishments included:

• Eliminated a ten-year-old $1.5 million debt on the Weaver Domestic Violence Center through a YWCA Burn the Mortgage Campaign.

• Spearheaded a $1.4M renovation to the 51-bed Weaver Center, which will sustain this facility for the next decade.

• Re-opened insolvent Nashville Dress for Success under the YWCA brand.

• Launched a domestic violence transitional housing program to assist women and their children leaving abusive relationships.

• Launched Re-New at the YWCA, an all-volunteer run program, was founded to furnish these transitional homes.

• Opened 2616, an upscale resale boutique and social enterprise located in East Nashville.

• Led a successful advocacy effort within the YWCA to support clemency for Gaile Owens, a domestic violence victim who was sentenced to death in 1985 following the murder of her abusive husband, including testifying at her clemency hearing.

• Spearheaded the initiation of Girls Inc. in Nashville, which enables YWCA to reach girls to be strong, smart, and bold.

• Led the development and growth of the YWCA’s GED Preparation Services program to one of the largest in Davidson County. Led change of GED program into a complete Family Literacy Program.

• Grown YWCA Board of Directors to 47 of Nashville’s most influential leaders in the community, including Nashville’s DA, former Mayor, President of Nashville NHL, Commissioner of OVC, Leader of Nashville Islamic Center, and numerous business owners and CEOs.

In 2010, Shea founded the Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO) in Nashville. WPO is an international membership organization of second-stage entrepreneurial female presidents. Under Shea’s leadership, Nashville has launched two chapters.

Before becoming a non-profit leader, Shea spent 14 years in for-profit healthcare. She co-founded Echelon Health, a physician practice management company focused on health services for women. Pat also launched two consulting divisions within HCA/Quorum focused on continuous quality improvement.

Pat is a founding director for Studio Bank, Generous, and Sports to Suits. She serves on the Women Business Collaborative (WBC) Board, a national non-profit focused on achieving gender parity in the workplace, where she co-leads their Ally of Her initiative.

Pat has a B.S. in Business from the University of Dayton. She is a graduate of Leadership Nashville and Leadership Tennessee, Founder of YWCA’s Nashville Stand Against Racism, and Co-Founder of Nashville’s first Gender Equity Council. Shea is a member of Tennessee’s International Women’s Forum and Nashville’s The Table.

For the past three years, the Nashville Business Journal (NBJ) has named Shea as one of Nashville’s Power 100. The NBJ has also recognized Shea as a Most Admired CEO and Women of Influence as a Trailblazer. Shea has been a finalist for Tennessean of the Year. In 2017, Shea accepted Nashville’s Annual Human Relations Award and the ATHENA Leadership Award.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In December 2005, I started a new job at the YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee. It was a financial disaster. They had built a much-needed domestic violence shelter ten years earlier but used the money from the capital campaign to cover increased operating costs. During my first board meeting, our board approved a mortgage of $1.2 million. The $1 million cash we had in the bank was our collateral. On an annual basis, we were to pay approximately $175,000 in interest and principal, more than we earned at our largest fundraising event.

I needed to raise money, and I needed to do it quickly.

I invited one of my favorite board members to lunch, shared what was happening, and asked for his wisdom. His response “Do you know any rich people?” Me? Not really. I needed a new perspective.

Many, like that board member, believe fundraising is about finding people with money. But I have learned it is more about finding passionate people enthusiastic about your cause and excited to accept your invitation to contribute. When the purpose—in this case, ending violence against women and promoting racial and social justice—matches a donor or volunteer’s life’s work, it is magic.

Still, despite growing a healthy balance sheet by building a recognizable brand and a badass board of directors, raising money continued to be a pressing, ongoing part of the job over my years at the YWCA. I was asking everyone for everything and thinking, How can I thank all those people? What could I give, or what could I afford to share, that would be of value to them?

At about that time, I was reading the life story of Katharine Graham. As publisher of the Washington Post, Graham would host dinner parties, inviting leaders from both political parties to break bread in her home. I’m no Graham, but I knew a lot of very influential, talented, successful women. The one thing I could do was introduce them to other women they may never have had the opportunity to meet. Thus, I birthed Pat Shea’s famous fun women’s dinners.

Six or seven times a year, I invited eleven women (my table seated twelve) for dinner and libations. I ensured the guest list was diverse regarding age, race, religion, sexual orientation—you name it. The food was simple, as I am not a very good cook, but the conversations were delicious and deep.

It was so simple. After everyone was seated, I would ask each guest to take three minutes and share her story. It usually took the whole dinner and dessert to make it around the table, but what happened was phenomenal. Women opened up. We laughed, we cried, and once, we even sang. (Amy Grant, Jesse Madera, and Judge Sheila Callaway were at that dinner, so it made perfect sense. After all, I live in Nashville!) Straight women met gay women. Young Black and Brown women broke bread with older southern white women. Native Nashvillians became friends with immigrants and refugees. It was so much fun.

During one dinner, the managing partner of a law firm who had just given me a $5,000 sponsorship declared that, although she felt good about sponsoring an event, she would rather pay to have a seat at my table. Bingo! That was it. The women sitting at my table that night launched the YWCA Fulcrum Society—a society of women committed to donating a minimum of $5,000 a year. I could not believe it. The YWCA received over $100,000 from this new group within twelve months. And it grew and grew and grew.

The formation of this society is an example of a truth I didn’t fully realize until years later when I moved into my position as CEO of a tech startup: those who give receive.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patricia.g.shea
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patshea/