…your mission is crucial to what you plan to change in the world. You must have a great team of individuals that are willing to work and be motivated to accomplish your mission.
For my series on strong female founders, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jennifer Flood.
Jennifer is Executive Director and Founder of Flood Sisters Kidney Foundation, which she started with her sisters while experiencing their father being diagnosed with kidney disease. Jennifer is a graduate of New York University where she received a bachelors of psychology degree. She was also on the Dean’s list at NYU and received the Bart Lawson Award for Service in Humanitarianism for her service to New York City. Jennifer started her career in nursing and has worked for an array of well- known hospitals including NYPH – Weil Cornell in Westchester. She specialized in psychiatric nursing working in the field for 6 years. Aside from her past career in nursing, she has also worked as a paralegal for many affluent investment banks and firms. Her passion and time is devoted to helping others receive kidney transplants.
Thank you so much for doing this with us. Before we begin our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”?
I am a nurse, my sister Cynthia comes from a real estate/finance background as well as owns her own pet service business and our sister, Heather has a background in therapy.
Can you tell us the story behind why you decided to start your non nonprofit?
Our father was diagnosed when he was 68 years old with kidney disease. We knew as sisters we had to find a way to save our father. I knew as a nurse, that the national waiting list was 2–6 years or longer for a deceased donor and dialysis wasn’t an option for us either. We had used the online platform craigslist for selling items, for networking and child care (I’m a mom), and it proved to be a success so we thought why not for Dad? For a living donor? It was an out of the box idea that proved to be a success. We received over thousands of responses nationwide and an unknown woman from California was a perfect match. She saved our father’s life and from there we knew as sisters we couldn’t stop there. We had to help others going through the same process. In 2008, Flood Sisters Kidney Foundation was born.
Can you describe how you or your organization aims to make a significant social impact?
We spread awareness for living kidney donation and kidney disease prevention. We educate the public that it’s safe to be a living kidney donor and how you can live a healthy life with one kidney.
Without saying any names, can you share a story about an individual who was helped by your idea so far?
We were working with a special needs young man who at the time was 16 years old, needing a kidney donor. We shared his story all over our website, through our social media pages, and a teacher, fitness instructor decided to test for him and ultimately saved his life. He is now doing great and is in college.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
Yes, the more awareness we can create about the need for living kidney donors, the less wait there will be for so many in need. I think also, the public needs to be more educated regarding living a healthy life with one kidney.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
Leadership to us means being able to be diplomatic, fair, persistent and never accepting “no”. We as sisters always believe where there is a will, there is a way. Life is filled with obstacles but we learn out of those obstacles and that’s how inventions and new ideas are born.
Based on your experience, what are the “5 things a person should know before they decide to start a non profit”. Please share a story or example for each.
We would say, your mission is crucial to what you plan to change in the world. You must have a great team of individuals that are willing to work and be motivated to accomplish your mission. It’s important to have individuals with varying skill sets to help grow the non-profit you wish to start. You should take a non-profit and or fundraising class to learn about the steps in starting a non-profit. It’s a process to obtain financial sustainability and fundraising but so rewarding when everything comes together.
We are very blessed that very prominent leaders read this column. Is there a person in the world who you would like to talk to, to share the idea behind your non profit? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
We would say Nick Jonas who runs his own non-profit, Beyond Type 1. Nick is a Type 1 diabetic and musician. He is passionate about helping those conquer type 1 diabetes.The foundation educates those on type 1 diabetes, children and adults as well as providing scholarships to students entering college with diabetes. I feel it would be great to have a partnership with his organization as the two main precursors to kidney disease are diabetes and hypertension.
Can you share your favorite “Life Lesson” Quote? How is that relevant to you in your life?
Our life lesson quote is “To never give up”. It is relevant in our lives as we always find a way to solve a solution or a problem, an example, saving our father.
How can our readers follow you online?
Our website is www.floodsisterskidneyfnd.org
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success in your mission.
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