In the business world, the idea of what makes a good leader is often someone who acts without emotion or prioritizes organizational growth over all else. While this ideal may work for some, supportive management practices based on a desire to help people tend to lead to better outcomes. Yes, leadership requires professionalism, but everyone benefits from an encouraging, transparent environment in which all staff members can flourish.

For this year’s recipients of the Nonprofit CFO Rising Star award, their successes are closely connected with experiences that give their leadership substance. Ciarra Smith and Joy Hickey have brought organization and technology to the forefront of their groups, driven by their personal journeys.

Pathways from parenting

Ciarra Smith began in private sector customer service, moved to graphic design and then decided to pivot to the nonprofit space.

Her work at The Hands and Feet, which delivers clothing and supplies to families needing help, started with graphic design and social media. She then learned to use accounting software, and that helped her move to her current position, director of operations and finance. In this role she conducts financial reporting and acts as a liaison between the organization and its board. She also manages the budget.

With her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in intercultural studies and leadership from Johnson University in Knoxville, Tennessee, Smith has always been interested in finance.

“I did trigonometry and things in college for electives, just because I liked (finance). I had personal experience with budgeting for families that I was able to merge with the nonprofit world,” she said.

Smith also has a personal connection to the mission of The Hands and Feet. As foster parents to an infant, Smith and her husband were familiar with the challenges families can face. “I knew what it was like to have a child come into your home with nothing. So that was really what started that passion to be able to walk alongside families that were in that same space and needed supplies right then and there,” Smith said.

“I appreciated the chance to alleviate that pressure so these families could take care of the emotional trauma that was happening to the child, rather than having to go out for clothing or diapers.”

The Hands and Feet satisfies basic human needs with speed. “We receive referrals through our website, and they can be self-referrals or from caseworkers like child protective investigators. And we provide resources within 48 hours,” Smith said.

Smith has been called “the glue that holds us together” by her organization. “When I came on doing finance, a year into us operating, we had three months until we would run out of funds,” Smith said. So, she created a system to organize referrals and centralize reporting.

An up-and-coming professional force, Smith has put her organization back on track so it can be most helpful.

Strategic focus

Joy Hickey always knew she wanted to pursue finance. “Finance is important to any organization that you work for. It’s essential to understand what the bottom line is, and having the numbers be able to tell a story that aligns with their strategic plan,” said Hickey. “That is really a fun part of being able to lead the finance section of an organization.”

Hickey completed her bachelor’s in finance at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. She began her career as a financial coordinator at Veritext Legal Solutions in 2014, and in 2016 she moved into a finance administration manager role at the Federation of State Humanities Councils, an organization that unites other councils through tactics including advocacy and partnerships.

Hickey left the Federation in May 2021, then returned in June 2023 when a director opportunity arose. “I was brought on originally because the old director of finance was retiring, so it was a pivotal moment,” Hickey said.

Since returning, Hickey has been tasked with moving the organization’s financial management to cloud computing. “A change like this, of course, is always big for any organization,” she said. “They were still doing bookkeeping on paper and printing hard checks.… A big lift was getting everything onto the computer.”

Association work has increased Hickey’s sense of purpose. “I’m contributing to something meaningful and driving some positive social change,” she said.

Compensation transparency is an issue that Hickey is overseeing. “We rolled out a new strategic plan, and one of the tasks that we’re focusing on is investing in staff growth and retention,” she said.

“So, part of that is coming up with a pay equity compensation plan, just so that all staff have the knowledge of how they can grow within our organization, how decisions are made on pay, and the transparency they can take, so they’re all being treated fairly.”

Currently immersed in her MBA program at the University of Wisconsin, Hickey is also involved in leadership activities that touch on subjects that are personal to her. As a member of the business committee of Autistic Children of Northern Virginia, Hickey “ensures that the organization follows the required laws and the business practices, such as taxes and reviewing bylaws,” she said.

Inspired by her autistic child, Hickey helps other families whose children live on the autism spectrum. “I value having a support system for other parents. Because I think if you’re a special needs parent, it takes another special needs parent to really understand,” she said.

Hickey’s blend of strategic financial oversight combined with her personal drivers solidify her Rising Star status.

Both Hickey and Smith emphasize equality in their workspaces and compassion for their communities, while working to streamline their organizations’ financial processes. Bringing humanity to their leadership approaches, these rising stars are changemakers whose work has a broad impact.