Hi, I’m Alicia Kline!
I’m a proud mom of two teenage boys, and our lives revolve around travel soccer. From the crazy schedules of games to endless soccer practices and trainings, I find great joy in watching my boys pursue their passion on the field.
My background into the nonprofit world was a little crazy – which I’m sure some of your paths to this point are too. I majored in chemistry in college and went on to pursue a 10-year career as a medicinal chemist at Merck and then as a Forensic Scientist in the Trace Evidence Unit at the New Jersey State Police – yes, like CSI – now while I wasn’t on that show, I was on an episode of Forensic Files.
After the birth of our first son, my husband and I decided to move back to my hometown to raise our children. But after two years as a stay-at-home mom, I began to feel a sense of emptiness and realized that I needed more in my life. I took a part-time job at a local whitewater rafting and paintball company to regain a sense of purpose and be around other adults. However, my true calling came when I was asked by someone at the rafting company to join the board of directors for a local homeless shelter. I learned as much as I possibly could about the nonprofit’s mission and how my skills and strengths could best serve them. After the Executive Director suddenly left, I stepped up to fill that role. Under my leadership, we went from being barely known to one of the county’s most well-known organizations. Despite challenges with the board, I continued to work passionately, providing impactful programs, revamping our day center, and creating partnerships with local companies and schools. The most rewarding part was the impact on the families we helped – seeing children find a stable home and celebrating their wins along the way.
However, I reached my breaking point due to a sudden and unfortunate board change that created an unhealthy work environment. It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, but I knew it was the right one. I was torn between leaving the families who depended on me and the toxic board. I had to leave. After a few days of tears and feeling like I walked away from my purpose in life, I felt a strong calling to do more and be more.
While at the homeless shelter and networking in the community, I saw a large gap in support services for individuals impacted by major and chronic illnesses. For over 8 years, along with the help of an incredibly passionate, compassionate, and knowledgeable board of directors, we created a wildly thriving and impactful program. We started brainstorming and meeting in local restaurants and had our final meeting before the merge with a larger nonprofit in a building we OWNED. Among so many highlights and accomplishments, the one we are the proudest of was opening Northeast PA’s first sensory gym for children with sensory processing disorder, autism, and other special needs.
Over the years, I have actively served in various roles for nonprofits. For two years, I dedicated my time as the PTA president for my son’s elementary school, fostering a supportive and engaging environment for students and parents alike. Additionally, I contributed to the growth and development of my community by serving on the Carbon County Chamber of Commerce Young Professional Board and Women in Business. As a member of both the Carbon County and Lehigh Valley Chambers of Commerce, I actively participated in networking events and initiatives that aimed to strengthen the local business community. Recognizing the importance of community celebrations, I volunteered to organize my town’s Christmas tree celebration, bringing joy and unity to residents during the holiday season. Furthermore, I have had the privilege of speaking to both large and small groups about the significance of supporting homeless shelters and the mission of my nonprofit organization.
Through these experiences, I have developed a deep understanding of the power of community engagement and the transformative power of nonprofit work.
I am thrilled to share my nonprofit experiences – the good, the bad, and the ugly, with you. I’m here to guide you in finding your passion and purpose, taking your idea to make a meaningful impact, or helping your current nonprofit reach new levels.
