After 7 years with ASPIRE Barbados, Amanda Haynes is moving on to the next chapter of her professional career.
We sat down with Amanda to chat about the future of the Caribbean Third Sector, sources of inspiration and highlights from Amanda’s ASPIRE experience which saw ASPIRE Barbados grow from an idea to a thriving non-profit company. Amanda was responsible for the strategy development, execution and operational management of ASPIRE Barbados. Amanda was instrumental in both the concept and design of the ASPIRE Incubator programming and a key architect of its success.
Can you tell us a bit about your journey with ASPIRE? Where you started 7 years ago, and how your role evolved over the years to become the CEO?
It started out as a side hustle to my full-time job.
I was doing some basic project research in 2014 for Peter Boos, about charities in Barbados. At the time I was looking for part-time work to supplement my job and plans to study abroad, so my friend introduced me to Peter. My friend figured his idea for a charities support network was linked to my interest in sustainable development.
What I thought would be a short writing gig turned into a part-time role helping the future ASPIRE founders develop the idea of a charities support network into a tangible project plan, grant proposal and later, a registered non-profit organisation.
I left my job and deferring my studies for one year to help the founders start ASPIRE Barbados. I worked as programme manager during that year, from 2015-2016. In late 2018, when I was back in Barbados, the board offered me the CEO position.
What are some of the highlights of your time at ASPIRE?
A highlight is definitely 2016; the official launch of the ASPIRE Incubator Programme.
Another would be in 2020; when the first cohorts graduated from the ASPIRE Incubator Programme.
And finally; working with my colleagues over the last few years.
There’s a long way to go in terms of helping social leaders solve/address major socio-economic issues, and connecting Caribbean-based organisations with serious financial and non-financial partners. We underestimated the time it takes to find people and institutions who value their work and believe in investing in their organisations. I think these milestones show commitment to that mission, the tougher reality of getting it done and everything learned (and unlearned) over that time.
Following an unprecedented period of uncertainty, confusion and disruption, charity leadership has never been more important. Do you have any examples or key takeaways that you can share where you overcame adversity?
Being adaptable, but also clear/firm about the evolving purpose of our work, has been most helpful for staying focused. In our case that purpose is social, and that’s what guided our decisions.
It is easy to get confused if we lack clarity, or forget the big picture, especially when making decisions on behalf of groups with shared goals but different motivation/agendas. Being able to step back, get a clearer view of the situation and/or purpose (even if it was different to our plans or expectations), and then take action, helped me.
On the other hand, there are other times where you just have to act and talk or think later. I think clarity of purpose helped with that too. A few other things come to mind, but this was probably the most important one for me.
What were the most exciting aspects of your role?
Consulting sessions with non-profit leaders, meeting people with diverse life and social work experiences, engaging new partners in different sectors, learning from team members who are at the top of their field, creating something new, potential contribution to Barbados and the Caribbean.
Where do you see the Caribbean and Barbados Third Sectors in 5 years?
I don’t know, it feels like we’re at a tipping point, but people have been saying that before I was born.
For Barbados, I imagine the civic sector either exactly where it is right now, or as a catalyst of community-led ideas and solutions to socio-economic issues that we face as individuals, families, parishes and as a country overall. Medium-term progress depends on how quickly and successfully we prioritising financial capital to invest in people, teams and ideas driving this work.
This includes achieving the 2030 Global Goals. I think some Caribbean CARICOM countries are closer to that vision than others, and each country has unique insights based on their geography and the needs their communities grapple with the most. That said, the Caribbean is hard to summarise because of each country’s nuances.
Your success as a young, female CEO of a successful company is admirable and inspiring to many. Do you have any role models you look up to and who guided you during your time as CEO?
Thank you. No role models, but I’m thankful to different persons I meet (or read about) who share their insights. I admire my great-grandmother and how she related to people. Individual board members and advisory board members of ASPIRE have been open with their knowledge, honest advice and always had time for my questions. I have a long way to go.
What would you say are 3 habits or traits that helped you as CEO?
Listening, adaptability, curiosity
Are there any words of advice that you would like to share for Third Sector professionals in the Caribbean?
Take care of yourself, too!
What are your favourite sources of inspiration?
Sleep, music, family, nature, conversations, images, libraries, cities, art, researchers.
Other:
- On Being with Krista Tippett
- The Tim Ferris Blog
- Brainpickings by Maria Popova
- Nowness
- Stanford Social Innovation Review
- 032c Magazine
- Fresh Milk Barbados’ Blog
- Library & Video Archive
- 95.3FM
- Caribbean Cultural Thought: From Plantation to Diaspora by Dr. Yanique Hulme and Dr. Aaron Kamugisha
What’s next for you, Amanda?
Hopefully something exciting!
Thank you for your valuable contribution to the Third Sector Amanda. The team at ASPIRE Barbados wish you all the best in the next chapter of your story!
Amanda is a Warwick University (MA) and Enactus Warwick Consulting alumnus with specialist knowledge of managing third sector organisations, creative firms and cultural policy. You can connect with Amanda on LinkedIn and through her professional website.
We also encourage you to tune in to this Build Up Advisory Group interview that Amanda: “Achieving Sustainability by being a global connector.“
