by Em Chiappa, Creative Arts, Media & Communication Career Community Intern
As part of the Entrepreneurial & Innovative Mindsets in Nonprofits and the Arts on campus conference in February, Emily Conners Henry ’14 was one of two successful and acclaimed alumni to join students over a meal as part of the Creative Career Conversations series.
Conners Henry graduated from Bucknell in the spring of 2014 before going on to acquire her Master of Science (M.S.) at University of Pennsylvania, concentrating in nonprofit leadership. Conners Henry always felt drawn to nonprofit organizations and owes a lot of that realization to the courses she took at Bucknell and her internship in public relations & arts collaboration at the Lewisburg Downtown Partnership, declaring “[I found] what I love to learn.” Paired with her studies for one year post-grad, Conners Henry worked as a community school outreach coordinator at AmeriCorps VISTA, which allowed her to build a network within the local nonprofit community and enhance the marketing practices of the organization. “It’s important to be vocal about what’s going on in the organization and show the community what you’re doing really matters,” Conners Henry commented. “Within my role, I had to consistently differentiate myself to show that I’m the expert.” Conners Henry’s various conversations with members from community partnerships eventually set her up for success at Valley Youth House, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families across Pennsylvania through homelessness, foster care, and other related situations, where she has advanced in her role and responsibilities over the past decade. The organization raises over $50 million annually.
Conners Henry also offered thoughtful insight into the evolving landscape of nonprofits, particularly in light of the significant loss of government funding many organizations faced in early 2025. She emphasized that long-term sustainability will require a strategic shift in how nonprofits position themselves, noting that it may be more effective for organizations to frame their work as social missions or social entrepreneurship initiatives rather than relying heavily on public funding sources. “We need to change our revenue streams,” Conners Henry explained, adding that authenticity and collaboration are essential to building financial resilience within the nonprofit field. She stressed that forming genuine partnerships with other organizations and communities not only strengthens credibility but also expands impact. Because the success of a mission depends on its reach, cultivating strong relationships and connections is not just beneficial but fundamental to advancing organizational goals.
Conners Henry’s central advice to students was to align their passions with their skill sets, particularly when exploring where they might best fit within the nonprofit sector. She emphasized that the most fulfilling and sustainable career paths emerged when personal interests were thoughtfully mixed with an individual’s practical strengths, and she encouraged students to develop this awareness by actively getting involved in opportunities and embracing academic challenges. “Focus on differentiating yourself, especially through your resume,” Conners Henry noted when asked what makes an application stand out. She also emphasized the importance of professionalism and intentional communication, encouraging students to send confirmation emails and thoughtful thank-you notes before and after interviews. Above all, she stressed the value of relationship-building and thorough preparation, reminding students to research the organizations they apply to and demonstrate genuine interest in their mission. Together, these small but deliberate actions, she explained, signal initiative, authenticity, and a level of care that employers and nonprofit leaders deeply value.
By sharing both her professional journey and practical advice, Conners Henry left students with a clearer understanding of how to position themselves within nonprofits and other purpose-driven organizations, while also highlighting the long-term value of staying engaged and proactive in their career development. More conversations like this will continue to be hosted through the Career Center’s Creative Arts, Media & Communications sector. Students can visit Handshake to stay updated on upcoming events and opportunities to engage.
