The Nonprofit Chief of Staff: Leading with Purpose with Bora Lee
Bora Lee is Chief of Staff at Fifth Avenue Committee, a nonprofit in New York rooted in community work. Her role is part project manager, part culture builder, and always people-focused. She explains what it means to lead in a mission-driven space—and how purpose, identity, and community guide her every step.
Key Takeaways
Nonprofit Chiefs of Staff often wear many hats and manage major projects tied directly to community impact.
Culture building is part of the job—and that means showing up, listening, and following through.
Mission work in nonprofits is deeply personal, and success comes from community trust.
Notable Quotes
"Relationships are two ways, whether that's a marriage or workplace or friendship, and you need to put in as much work as you hope to get."
"I noticed you, I see you, and that is my greatest strength when it comes to people, and so I use that to my full advantage."
"Our success as chiefs of staff really is not because of us but the teamwork of others. Otherwise, our things wouldn't move."
Real-World Applications
Integrate with the community
Example: Bora attends local events, listens to community leaders, and makes herself available—because she sees them as core to the organization, not separate from it.Start where people are
Example: When facing skepticism about the CoS role, she sets up in the staff lunchroom and invites informal conversations to build trust.Turn perception into strength
Example: She uses being underestimated as a way to create safe spaces for hard conversations, especially around diversity and equity.
Bora's experience shows that being a Chief of Staff in the nonprofit sector requires building relationships, creating bridges between leadership and staff, and maintaining community accountability. While the financial benefits may not match corporate positions, the impact of nonprofit work can be generational, creating lasting structures, policies, and cultural changes that benefit communities for years to come.
00:27 Bora Lee's Personal Connection to 5th Avenue Committee
02:05 The Role of a Chief of Staff in Nonprofits
03:32 Community Accountability and Nonprofit Mission
07:47 Engaging with the Community and Building Relationships
12:09 Building Culture and Implementing REDI Goals
16:05 Navigating Workplace Dynamics as Chief of Staff
22:32 Empowering Staff and Leveraging Personal Experiences
28:02 A Chief of Staff's Proudest Moments and Achievements
34:41 Choosing Between Corporate and Nonprofit Roles
38:07 Closing Thoughts and How to Support Fifth Avenue Committee
Links Mentioned:
Connect with Bora Lee on LinkedIn: / xboralee
Fifth Avenue Committee: / fifth-avenue-committee
About The Author
Emily Sander is an ICF-certified leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience in the business world and the author of Hacking Executive Leadership. She’s been featured in several print publications, online articles, and podcasts, including CEO Today Magazine, Leading to Fulfillment, and Leadership Powered by Common Sense.
Emily has a passion for helping business leaders reach their full potential. Go here to read her story from seasoned executive to knowledgeable coach. If you want to send Emily a quick message, then visit her contact page here.