Malauna Steele is the Principal of Oversight Management, a company that helps nonprofits with financial management, accounting, and operations. This organization builds and sustains successful nonprofits that support Black and Brown communities.
“I think all of this was really born out of a desire to help people. My parents were helpers in our community and watching them, and also just watching how people responded to them, was really impactful,” Malauna says.
She founded Oversight Management more than 15 years ago after leaving her career in international development. While she loved that role and the opportunities to travel, she realized she could be just as impactful in her own local community in Washington, DC, where so many community-based organizations had dynamic programming but needed systems in place..
Following the advice of her father, she took two weeks off to reflect on her next career move. During this time, out of the blue, Malauna received a call from an acquaintance asking if she was available for work. And with that, her new consulting career was born.
“Now I work with a number of grantmakers and nonprofits. I do a lot of consulting and coaching, as well, with other new grassroots organizations and community-based organizations,” she shares. “It was in my mid-20s that I thought, I can go out and do this on my own, and have a much larger impact.”
Motivation Comes From Seeing a Project from Beginning to End
Running her own nonprofit consulting company has been very rewarding. Despite the long hours, Malauna stays motivated knowing that she has devoted her career to helping people in need.
“My dad always says be a plus, not a minus, so I think that’s what motivates me. It motivates me to be a person that people can look to and trust,” she shares.
She loves working with people throughout their nonprofit journeys, but she finds it especially rewarding to help new nonprofits get off the ground and become successful.
“To be able to see them hire staff, have a budget, have benefits, implement some great programming, be respected by funders, and be sustainable while successfully reaching their people is probably my greatest achievement – being a part of that system,” she adds.
Identify the Nonprofit Work You Enjoy and Look for Mentors
Malauna recommends that young people interested in nonprofit work start by volunteering in their communities.
“Identify what population you’d like to work with. There are people who have an affinity for working with children. so they might want to volunteer for a children’s hospital or a public school,” she shares.
After finding a cause that matches their interests, she suggests doing some research: review the organization’s website and reach out to someone who works at the nonprofit to learn more.
“Ask for a meeting, just a meet and greet or cup of coffee with one of their program staff or even their executive director,” she says.
Malauna knows the value of mentorship and learning from people with experience. One day, she plans to share her own passion and knowledge about the value of nonprofit work through a children’s book series.
“I can’t imagine doing anything else other than what I’m doing,” she says. “Oh…besides publishing a book someday.”