Martha Sharkey: Letting Go as a Sign of Strength

Update: 2024-05-28

Description

Martha Sharkey, founder and CEO of Today Is a Good Day, shares her experience in nonprofit leadership and the mission of her organization to provide support for families who have experienced the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). She discusses the inspiration behind the organization's name and the importance of celebrating the good moments in the NICU journey.

Martha also talks about the leadership communication lessons she has learned, including empowering her team members to take the lead and solve problems, and the challenge of asking for financial support. She reflects on missed opportunities and the importance of hiring additional staff to support the organization's growth.

Martha shares her experiences with taking risks and making big decisions in her organization. She discusses the importance of acknowledging others who are going through difficult times and shares a personal challenge for listeners to reach out to someone in their network who may be struggling.

Martha also talks about the skill of thinking on the spot and distilling information into soundbites for media interviews. Finally, Martha discusses the importance of acknowledging others and the power of a simple message of support.

In this episode you will learn:

How Martha empowered team members to take the lead and solve problems.

Why asking for financial support is essential for the sustainability of nonprofit organizations.

How hiring additional staff can support the growth and expansion of an organization.

Acknowledging others who are going through difficult times is important and can make a significant impact.

Short, concise communication can be powerful and effective in various contexts.

A simple message of support and acknowledgement can mean a lot to someone who is struggling.

Mentioned in the Episode:

“Turnover is Vanity, Profit is Sanity: 9 ½ Steps for Improving Your Profits and Cashflow” – Book by Dan Bradbury

“Breeding Gazelles: Fast Growth Strategies for Your Business” – Book by Dan Bradbury

About Martha:

Martha Sharkey is the Founder & CEO of Today is a Good Day, a non-profit providing personal and financial support for families who experience the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Martha and her husband, Paul, founded Today is a Good Day in honor of their daughter, Claire, and in memory of their daughter, Mary. They welcomed their identical twin girls at just 23 weeks and 5 days on November 14, 2010. Mary was with them only two weeks before passing away. Claire beat incredible odds and came home after 103 days in the NICU at Jefferson Abington Hospital.

Following their extended stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the Sharkeys recognized a gap in care for parents and families navigating the NICU journey. They founded Today is a Good Day to fill that gap to support families.

Martha has led the effort to advance the mission of Today is a Good Day expanding its reach to 29 hospitals and organizational partners in seven states over the past ten years. Programming for hospital partners includes care packages for families, Navigate the NICU Sessions with current families navigating the NICU journey, Vital Needs Support grant programs for families in need, a podcast, Advocacy resources, and an online community of support. In addition to programs within the hospitals, Today is a Good Day sends care packages upon request across the country and internationally.

Prior to focusing fully on advancing the mission of Today is a Good Day, Martha served in several non-profit leadership roles, including Executive Director of the Chestnut Hill Business District and Assistant Director of Corporate Sponsorship for The Franklin Institute. She has received several awards for her non-profit work, including Parent of the Year by Main Line Parent Magazine and the Distinguished Community Service Award from the Glenside Inter-Service Clubs.

You can connect with Martha in the following ways: