Salary, Power & Progress: Advocating for Yourself in Development

About this Roundtable

Join us for "Salary, Power & Progress: Advocating for Yourself in Development," a vital discussion on February 26th at 9 AM, moderated by Angela Marie Tayco. This event brings together esteemed speakers Sahana Mukherjee, Jessica Black, and Shannon Clark Johnston to tackle critical issues surrounding compensation and career advancement within the development sector.

We will delve into the persistent patterns of underpayment and undervaluation, especially for women in development roles, exploring both internal and external barriers that hinder self-advocacy. The session will address challenging concepts like "mission guilt" and common misconceptions around nonprofit salary negotiations, offering a fresh perspective on how to navigate these conversations effectively.

Discover adaptive strategies, including recommended tools for researching salary benchmarks and effective language for discussing raises, promotions, and professional development. Learn how to reframe negotiations to feel less intimidating and more like collaborative discussions.

The event will also focus on building confidence and power, highlighting the crucial role of mentorship and sponsorship in career progression for women. We’ll discuss how to balance humility with confidence and normalize these essential conversations across the sector.

Looking ahead, we'll explore the future of salary equity and career progression in the nonprofit world over the next 5-10 years, identifying systemic changes needed at all levels to better support professionals. Don't miss the opportunity to gain one crucial piece of advice for your next negotiation.

Walk away with a transformative mindset shift or a practical tool to feel more empowered in your career conversations. This is an essential event for anyone looking to champion their value and drive progress in the development sector.

About the Speakers

Jess Black (she/her) is a Senior Talent Consultant at DRG, partnering with mission-driven organizations to recruit high-impact executives across all functions, including development, in organizations across the country and in diverse sectors. In her role, she helps boards and CEOs identify and define the priorities and core competencies for key leadership roles and partners with them to run a strategic and equitable search process. Jess works closely with candidates to support them in bringing their best selves to the interview process and fully demonstrating their skills and impact. Jess lives in South Orange, New Jersey, with her husband and two kids.

Shannon Clark Johnston is a former C-suite executive, coach, keynote speaker, and leadership trainer with 25+ years across corporate, nonprofit, public sector, and startups. As founder of True HR, she equips leaders and teams to build confidence, resilience, and results through practical training, executive coaching, and engaging keynotes. Known for her no-fluff, actionable style, she turns insight into behavior change. Shannon also hosts True HR: Beyond the Office, a podcast that shares candid conversations and tools to bridge work and real life.

Sahana Mukherjee is the Founder & President of Unveiled: Bridging The Gap to Sponsorship, a nonprofit focused on equitable access to career advancement opportunities. As a visionary executive, she excels at integrating technology, business, and human capital to drive growth. A recognized thought leader and keynote speaker, Sahana was named among Women We Admire’s 2024 Top 50 Women Leaders in New York and Crain’s NY 2022 Notable HR Leaders. Her expertise spans digital transformation, sustainable talent strategies, and leadership innovation. With a background in Applied Electronics & Instrumentation Engineering and HR Management, she combines technical knowledge with data-driven leadership for significant industry impact.

Registration Information

• Registration is required for all WID-NJ roundtable events
  
• Free for members | $20 for non-members
• All levels of experience in development, fundraising, and nonprofit management are welcome

To view a list of our upcoming events, visit www.widnewjersey.org/events and save your spots today!