Fundraising professionals are often celebrated for collaboration and tenacity—but what happens when that “team player” mindset becomes unsustainable? In this interactive workshop, Joie M. Langford, CFRE, explores the shadow side of over-functioning, especially for rising professionals eager to prove their worth. She’ll examine how intersecting identities and cultural norms shape responsibility, loyalty, and burnout in predominantly white-led nonprofits. Participants will gain tools to set boundaries, prevent burnout, and advocate for healthier workplace cultures rooted in honesty, healing, and empowerment.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Identify how over-functioning shows up in fundraising roles and how it’s often masked as "being a team player."
- Explore how intersecting identities and cultural norms can influence our relationship to work, boundaries, and burnout.
- Develop personal strategies to balance ambition and sustainability without sacrificing authenticity or well-being.
- Create a plan to advocate for systemic change within their organizations to support healthier workplace cultures.
Joie M. Langford, CFRE, is a strategic fundraising leader with nearly a decade of experience guiding nonprofits toward sustainable growth. She has raised more than $15 million by cultivating donor relationships, designing data-informed campaigns, and leading high-performing teams. Joie serves as Vice President of Strategic Philanthropy at Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey and is Founder of SHADES Consulting LLC, advancing equity-centered fundraising solutions. She is also an active member of AADO, F3, and WOC.