Pros
- Work-life balance can be reasonable during stable periods. - Opportunities to take on diverse responsibilities and develop new skills. - Colleagues are kind, collaborative, and genuinely dedicated to the organization’s mission. - Exposure to the CDFI and impact investing sectors, with opportunities to learn from and connect with experienced leaders in the field as well as awesome small business owners.
Cons
- Staff capacity and resources are often stretched too thin, leading to periods of high workload, micromanagement, and tight deadlines to meet funder requirements. - The HR function was restructured, with internal leadership replaced by an external contractor. This transition has presented challenges in employee support, onboarding, and administrative consistency (e.g., payroll and benefits processing). - Management practices emphasize close oversight of employees, (e.g., a camera-on policy during all virtual meetings, and attendance at after-hours events when senior leadership is visiting the office). - Decision-making by senior leadership is highly centralized, with limited opportunities for staff input or transparent communication. - Organizational changes, including multiple rounds of layoffs over the past two years, have affected morale and overall trust in leadership.