Melanie and her husband are proud adoptive parents of two children. She has 29 years of nonprofit management experience and she joined the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition as Executive Director in 1999. Under her guidance, the agency developed groundbreaking programs, Extreme Recruitment, and 30 days to Family. Melanie has been honored in the St. Louis Business Journal's 50 Most Influential Businesswoman of 2019 Award, North American Council on Adoption, Children's National Adoption Advocate Award, the Congressional Angels and Adoption Award, and Women of the Well Award and she has a BS in accountancy from Miami University.   Key Takeaways:Don’t be afraid to try things. It’s better to try and fail than not try at all.2020 saw more volunteer participation than any other year.It’s important to make make your organization feel like one big family where everyone is welcome and working together.  Even when it’s scary to take a position on an issue, you aren’t always going to make everyone happy, but those aren’t your people anyway. The movement toward diversity, equity, and inclusion in foster care kids and families.  “We’re not the only ones doing this work, but by working together there is more strength.” - Melanie Scheetz Mentioned: The Institution for Innovation and Child Welfare https://forchildwelfare.org/ Reach out to Melanie at:Twitter: https://twitter.com/fosteradopt  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FosterAdopt/Website: https://www.foster-adopt.org/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/foster-&-adoptive-care-coalition/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fosteradopt/_created/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQgv0DWWSPIxbfEdp_sTPjw   Be more confident, credible & convincing to your board & supporters without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy.Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at  www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com