Megan Brown
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Hometown: Jonesboro, Arkansas
Briefly describe your role:
I co-founded Hope Found in 2018 with three other women. Since then, I have been growing and developing the program while serving victims of human trafficking. We provide holistic case management services. In addition, I do a lot of education and awareness for the community, and I also fundraise and manage staff and budget.
Q: Is what you're doing now what you always pictured you would do?
A: I knew that I always wanted to help people. In college, I wanted to either be a full-time missionary or a volunteer! I never cared about money and really wasn’t a great student. I watched one of my grandmothers work as a social worker in a public school setting and always saw her helping others. That is what led me to do social work. It wasn’t until I was living in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2008, that I learned about human trafficking. Then God opened my eyes and heart and lit a fire in me to do something about this injustice.
Q: What do you see as the greatest challenges for women in your chosen industry? What are the greatest opportunities?
A: I believe most executive directors in the nonprofit world are women, so our challenges are more from a personal level. Feeling the constant need to compete as women and not supporting other women’s wins are challenges that need to be overcome. We need to support each other and realize if someone else is growing faster than you, doesn’t mean you aren’t doing good work too.
Some people believe that employees at nonprofits shouldn’t be paid much because they work for a nonprofit, and that narrative needs to change. Nonprofits must be profitable, and just because you work at a nonprofit doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get paid a good salary and competitive wage.
Q: Who has inspired you in your life/career?
A: My grandma, Annabell, inspired me to be a social worker. My husband, parents, children and close family have all inspired me and helped me pursue this dream of starting Hope Found.
Q: What advice would you give to an aspiring professional?
A: If it is a professional who is trying to start a nonprofit, then, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.” Assess the needs in your community. Identify the gaps that need to be filled and see how you or the program you want to start can address that need. Build relationships; work with a nonprofit consultant or expert in the field you are going into; research similar programs in other areas and go from there. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel if you don’t have to. Collaborate, and don’t work in silos!
Q: What’s been your secret to success?
A: My relationship with God. He’s given me the strength, guidance, and endurance when I have felt that I wanted to quit. Staying focused on the end goal and recognizing that it is a marathon, not a sprint. Also, collaboration is the secret to success.
