Elevating Volunteer Management and Engagement: A Conversation with Jessica Pang-Parks

Jessica Pang-Parks is a volunteer engagement thought leader who helps organizations build trust, create impact, and inspire belonging. She is the recipient of the 2021 Alison Caird Young Leader Award in recognition of her leadership and excellence in volunteer engagement and the recipient of the 2023 VMPC Exemplary Leader Impact Award in recognition of her contributions to the field as a mentor, leader, trainer, and advocate.

Jessica earned her CVA credential in April 2023 and has facilitated Fleming College’s Volunteer Management: Spectrum of Engagement course since May 2022. She has held professional volunteer and community engagement roles at Crohn's and Colitis Canada, Pathways to Education Canada, the Heart & Stroke Foundation, Volunteer Toronto, and WWF-Canada.

Jessica has the privilege to work on the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Learn more about Jessica at www.learnwithjpp.com.

In this episode of The Nonprofit Insider Podcast, we dive into the volunteer side of the nonprofit world with volunteer engagement thought leader Jessica Pang-Parks. As the recipient of multiple leadership awards and a CVA credential holder, Jessica brings a wealth of knowledge on how nonprofits can build trust, create impact, and inspire belonging through effective volunteer management.

We explore:

• Jessica’s “State of the Union” on the current state of volunteerism.
• The unique challenges volunteer managers face and whether they’re underappreciated.
• Her personal journey into consulting and the strategies she uses to combat nonprofit burnout.
• Key insights for hiring the right volunteer management consultant.
• Her outlook on nonprofit priorities in 2025.
• A captivating #NonprofitHorrorStory that sheds light on the realistic challenges behind the scenes.

Whether you’re an executive leader, board member, or volunteer coordinator, Jessica’s insights will help you reimagine the role of volunteer engagement in your organization.

Episode Breakdown

1. State of the Nonprofit Volunteer Space – Jessica’s take on how volunteer engagement is evolving.
2. Challenges for Volunteer Management Leaders – Exploring the complexity and undervaluing of this critical role.
3. Getting to Know Jessica – Her personal journey into volunteer engagement leadership and consulting.
4. Burnout & Beyond – Insights into the growing issue of burnout among nonprofit professionals.
5. Hiring a Volunteer Management Consultant – What to consider for ROI and organizational fit.
6. Looking Ahead to 2025 – Jessica’s advice on key priorities for nonprofit leaders this year.
7. #NonprofitHorrorStory – A behind-the-scenes look at real-life mishaps in the nonprofit world.

Connect with Jessica

• Website: www.learnwithjpp.com