In this Partnering Leadership conversation, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Indira Henard, Executive Director of the DC Rape Crisis Center ( DCRCC), the oldest rape crisis center in the country. Indira Henard talks about her upbringing in Chicago, Illinois, in a family of faith. She also shares her transformative experience while at Wheaton College in Massachusetts. Indira Henard talks about the reason she came to Washington DC and eventually chose to forgo an opportunity to work in the Obama administration to take on the challenge at DC Rape Crisis Center. Indira Henard also talks about the challenges of leading a turnaround of DCRCC, leading the organization through the pandemic, and shares thoughts on how to lead teams for more engagement while continuing to go through uncertainty. Finally, Indira Henard talks about her role as an adjunct professor at Catholic and Howard Universities.
Some highlights
- Indira Henard on growing up as the daughter of a Baptist minister and a social worker
- The transformative impact of Wheaton College
- Indira Henard on why she chose to join DC Rape Crisis Center and eventually accept to become the organization’s executive director
- How Indira Henard was able to turn around an underperforming organization
- The Importance of humanity in leadership and the challenges brought on by the crisis
- Support of leaders from Leadership Greater Washington
- Importance of building connections among team members
- The Impact of Covid-19 on black nonprofit leaders
- Training the next generation o social workers
- The importance of mental health and healing for all, including organizational leaders
Connect with Indira Henard
DC Rape Crisis Center (DCRCC) Website (https://dcrcc.org/)
Indira Henard on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/indirahenard/)
Indira Henard on Twitter (https://twitter.com/IndyDCRCC)
Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:
Mahan Tavakoli Website (https://mahantavakoli.com/)
Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahan/)
Partnering Leadership Website (https://www.partneringleadership.com/)
