Chamber Spotlight: Dr. Mariane Asad Doyle, Center for Nonprofit Excellence

In one or two sentences, what does your organization do?
The Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE) is an advocate, advisor, and learning partner for nonprofits and philanthropists. We provide many services that help create a community of practice including our Board Academy and Leadership Circles, trainings and toolkits, reports on the nonprofit sector, and advocacy alongside other nonprofit capacity builders.

What is unique about your organization and the work you do in our community?
CNE provides education, advising, and resources to support and build capacity in nonprofits throughout our community and the Commonwealth. We work across the ecosystem in partnership with nonprofits and philanthropists, and across sectors with private industry and government. By building capacity in nonprofits, we build communities.

What was your first job?
Guest Services at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Buena Park, California.

How did you choose the field you're in?
It chose me. I worked in private/for-profit industry and then transitioned to public education for 15 years in K12 and more than 20 years in higher education. I volunteered at nonprofits and on boards all along and realized that I loved being part of my community and feeling integrated in it. I am grateful that the board and staff at CNE chose me to lead this organization.

Who or what has inspired you most in your career?
My father. He gave all of himself to education and taught me that leadership is about love first.

What is your most memorable experience in your career?
I have been blessed with many memorable experiences in my career. Leading the State of the Community Chamber events for three years now has definitely been awesome.

What is your greatest skill that you have learned or developed in your career?
Flexibility. Human beings are creatures of habit and need structure. I'm grateful to have been in industries that constantly changed, teaching me that flexibility is critical to leadership and sustainability.

What's your favorite thing about the Charlottesville area?
The people. I am still new enough to be consistently awed by the welcome I've had to our community. I also love the views that make my home and my commute breathtaking.

How do you like to spend your days off?
I love time off with my family. You'll usually find us at a ballpark, football field, basketball court, or at UVA with our daughter.

What animal would you be and why?
I just read something about how the best animal to be in the Zoo is the zookeeper. I do love koalas, though!

What is your favorite quote or piece of advice?
"We need, in every community, a group of angelic troublemakers." - Bayard Rustin

Is there anything that you feel Charlottesville is missing? Spark ideas for others!
I think the biggest gap in Cville is indoor activities for young people to do that are affordable. (After all, my generation could walk around a mall for free and bring some quarters to play in the arcade.)

What do you like about being a Chamber member?
The Chamber offers support for members through engaging activities and interactions as well as affinity groups. We advocate for the business community and stay informed of policy changes that can impact our members.