Jill Whitcomb joined Surrey Services for Seniors Inc. in January 2020 as chief advancement officer to lead a five-year capital campaign. In less than three months, the pandemic forced the nonprofit organization to close temporarily, the chief executive officer separated from the organization and several staff were terminated or furloughed. Whitcomb was asked to step in and lead the organization as interim president and chief executive officer.
Immediately, she created a reopening task force and found creative ways to provide in-person programs for older adults who depended on Surrey Services for Seniors Inc. This outreach helped mitigate the grave effect that social isolation had on Surrey’s vulnerable population.
Surrey Services for Seniors Inc. is a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities and solutions for older adults, regardless of income. The organization’s mission is to inspire and enable everyone, as they age, to live with independence and dignity, and as engaged members of the community.
In her current role, Whitcomb has improved Surrey’s financial footing by reaching out to foundations and elected officials to help identify grants and funding and applying for COVID-19 relief programs that could help fund essential services such as meals and transportation. Whitcomb also realized that the Surrey staff was desperately in need of new computers and secured a grant to supply each staff member with a laptop.
“Jill’s trust in her staff and her personal work ethic have led Surrey to rebound quickly following the pandemic shutdown,” said her staff. As a result, the organization’s key performance indicators have recovered to pre-pandemic levels and are poised to continue growth in the next fiscal year and beyond.
“Jill has an innate ability to bring people together and inspire them to want to make a difference,” said her staff. “Her intelligence, positive outlook, work ethic, and support of equity and inclusion make her a leader in the nonprofit industry.”
Under Whitcomb’s leadership, the organization found new locations for the organization in Delaware and Montgomery counties while developing plans that included major donor relations, annual giving and sponsorship, as well as internal and external marketing and communications.
As a leader, Whitcomb said that she relies on authenticity. “Being true to myself and my values not only helps to keep me grounded, especially in challenging situations, but it is such an important quality as a nonprofit leader,” she said. “I readily share the highs and lows – the accomplishments and the challenges – because it is a powerful force that drives positive change, creates a supportive work environment, and leads to long-term success for both myself and the organizations I have been involved with.”
