Introducing 2012 ProInspire Fellow: Elisa Chen
Name: Elisa Chen
Hometown: Duncan, OK
Previous Employer: Accenture
Current Organization: FHI 360
What inspired you to make the switch into the nonprofit sector?
I realized the need to live more actively as a steward in our society, community and the world. With such an endless and complex need in our world, I may not see some of these issues come to an end in my lifetime; however, I think it would be a huge privilege to take part in and contribute to that journey to get there.
What is your current position, and a typical day like?
I am currently a Strategic Planning and Analysis Analyst at FHI 360, an international human development organization. My typical day starts with good French press coffee, checking emails, prioritizing my to-do list and preparing for meetings. Thankfully, no one day is the same at FHI 360 since the recent integration with AED – there has been a strong pipeline of interesting work as a newly, evolving organization. Currently I am working on defining a framework to conduct a return on investment analysis on regional operating models. In addition, I am helping define and implement a business performance management process for the newly integrated organization, specifically in defining a streamlined annual planning and performance tracking process.
What is your professional background and areas of expertise?
At Accenture, I was a Talent and Organizational Performance Manager working in the oil and gas industry in the areas of Organizational Change Management, Training Strategy, Training Development & Delivery, and Organizational Design.
What are you involved in outside of work?
I indulge in my passion for sports by playing in a flag football and basketball league. I’m also taking Arabic classes and volunteering as the Events Coordinator for Young Professional’s in Foreign Policy’s Refugee Assistance Program. I’ve recently decided to take on a pro-bono consulting role to help with organizational design and implementation of a strategic plan for a multilingual legal and social services non-profit for low-income immigrants.
Tell us about your past leadership experiences and how they are helping you in your current role.
As a Management Consultant, much of my work involved applying frameworks to help break down problems for oil and gas companies. The ability break down organizational problems has been a transferable skill in my current role on the Strategic Planning and Analysis team; however, some of the problems and issues faced now are even larger in scale and more intricately connected to other issues, making the challenge more exciting and personally more fulfilling.
What book are you reading right now?
I’m currently reading Donald Miller’s A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: How I Learned to Live a Better Story. Next on my list is The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman.