In this conversation, I speak with Meaghan Silsby, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of South Carolina’s Lowcountry Chapter and a graduate of Columbia University’s M.S. in Nonprofit Management program, about leadership, mentorship, authenticity, and navigating growth within the nonprofit sector.

Meaghan reflects on her professional journey through fundraising, nonprofit development, and executive leadership, and how experiences across organizations including City Year, the Boys & Girls Club, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and the Yorktown Foundation ultimately prepared her for her current role with the Red Cross.

Throughout the conversation, we discuss imposter syndrome, leadership as a young executive director, the importance of professional development and mental health, and the challenge of balancing authenticity with professionalism. Meaghan also shares insights into the everyday work of the Red Cross from disaster relief and blood drives to CPR and AED training that saves lives in local communities every day.

At its core, this conversation is about leadership not simply as authority, but as presence, trust-building, and continual growth.

Watch the full conversation above.