Name: Nelia Verano
Leadership Charlotte (LC) Class: 31
Title/Company: Founder, Nelia Verano Art Advisory
Hometown: Portland, MI
Education: BA, Michigan State University
Current personal or leadership goals:
I plan to enroll in seminary in the next 2-3 years to receive my Masters in Divinity (I have no idea where this will take me!). I am also currently chair of the board of directors of a small non profit called Dahlia Grove, which employs and empowers women survivors of sex trafficking through job training, housing, recovery assistance, and holistic care. I hope to utilize my extensive background in non-profit leadership to bring Dahlia Grove to new levels of care for the women it serves as well as its profile in the community.
What advice would you give to current Leadership Charlotte participants?
Embracing change and taking risks are two reasons why I’ve been able to have such a varied and dynamic career path. The experiences I have gained by not just sticking to what I know have stretched me into new realms, where I discovered skills and talents I did not even know I possessed. Don’t be afraid to take those risks. It’s also never too late to start over, especially if you aren’t happy doing what you’re doing.
What’s a lesson that you learned through LC that has stuck with you and why?
While there were so many lessons, one that sticks out in particular is the importance of servant leadership. I have found that above all other virtues, having a generous, servant spirit in both your personal and professional life will always repay threefold in the most meaningful and unexpected ways. I do not serve others in hopes to receive something in return, but I always do, and Leadership Charlotte changed my entire outlook on what servant leadership really looks like and how impactful it is on both your life and the lives of others.
What would you like to see Leadership Charlotte alumni get involved in and why?
There are so many great non-profits in Charlotte doing critical work in the community that desperately need expertise and guidance in all areas. I hope Leadership Charlotte alumni will use the incredible talents they have to serve others in our community through board service and volunteering.
Favorite way to spend a weekend in Charlotte:
With my family of five, weekends are for rest and time together. When we aren’t at the soccer field (all three of my children play for an intense club team), we eat out at our favorite restaurants, read, walk to the park and play/kick the ball around, play board games, hit the movies or museums, and attend church. I am an avid cook, so I often find myself in the kitchen making a homemade meal, and almost always take a yoga class.
Favorite nonprofit or community organization in Charlotte and why:
My favorite non-profit, as mentioned earlier, is Dahlia Grove. They are doing amazing and critical work to help women survivors of sex trafficking recover from the horrific trauma inflicted upon them. Charlotte ranks 10th in the nation for sex trafficking and sexual exploitation, and the average age of a girl introduced into the industry is just 14 years old.