Fellowship Profile: Ashley Sigmon
Name: Ashley Sigmon
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Fellowship Year: 2013
Fellowship Role: Strategic Partnerships Fellow at Tipping Point Community in San Francisco, CA
Pre-Fellowship: Senior Associate with Triage Consulting Group, a healthcare consulting firm in San Francisco, CA
Education: BS, Health Policy and Management, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2010
Areas of Expertise:
- Data Analysis
- Investment Analysis
- Partnerships/Business Development
- Technology
“I found it tough to find an organization that would take a chance on someone without nonprofit experience. When I discovered the ProInspire Fellowship, I couldn’t apply fast enough.”
My Background
I grew up in Charlotte, NC as the youngest of three children. My parents set a strong and steady example of service and provided me with numerous opportunities to explore, learn, and give back. After undergrad, I joined Triage Consulting Group as a Senior Associate; my responsibilities included training and managing a team of consultants, reporting on our activities, conducting extensive research, and managing client relationships.
I have always volunteered and knew at some point I wanted to work in the social sector. I knew I was ready after reading a book called The Blue Sweater by Jacqueline Novogratz and participating in a Mocha Club trip to Ethiopia. This combination of experiences sparked a passion and urgency in me; while it wasn’t a simple transition to the social sector, I’m glad I made it.
My Fellowship
I was a Strategic Partnerships Fellow for Tipping Point Community, a nonprofit organization that fights poverty in the Bay Area. My favorite aspect of this role was the day-to-day variety it offered. No two days looked the same, and I had the opportunity to work with several nonprofit organizations and corporate partners throughout my Fellowship year. My role was to find alignment between grantee organizations’ needs and our partners’ resources to help meet those needs. I also provided administrative and logistical support for workshops and trainings, performed due diligence for a new grantee organization, and evaluated candidates interested in joining our grantee organizations’ boards.
My Impact
I had a positive impact on Tipping Point in several ways:
- Brought a new grantee organization into Tipping Point’s portfolio
- Placed six individuals on grantee organization boards
- Provided support for 15 workshops
- Streamlined the administrative processes for grantee communications
- Developed a Salesforce structure to store and track board placement candidates
My Next
My Fellowship evolved into a full-time role, and I am now a Senior Associate at Tipping Point.
“The community of Fellows in my class and the coaching offered through the Fellowship helped me navigate the transition from for-profit to Fellow to full-time nonprofit professional.”