Strategic Relationship Building
“The better, the deeper, the more connected the relationship, the easier, the faster the resources, infrastructure, and so on will come.” – Derek Young
In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Jeff Jowdy speaks with Derek Young, owner of YMG Enterprises, about strategically building relationships for your nonprofit. Believing that relationships are an organization’s most valuable asset, Derek shares:
- How nonprofits should prioritize their relationships with various constituents.
- How relationships can increase donor engagement.
- What steps organizations can take to increase their boards’ participation in relationship-building.
About Our Guest
Over the past 50 years, Derek Young has played nearly every position on the nonprofit team. In the mid-90s, Derek became Dollar General Corporation’s first head of corporate social responsibility. In that role, he reviewed more than 10,000 charitable contribution requests from nonprofits across the country and oversaw Dollar General’s Literacy Foundation. He also served as a CEO for 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee and a career development manager for INROADS of Nashville.
He has held numerous nonprofit roles which reflect his love for serving others. He was the first statewide board chairman for March of Dimes—Tennessee, and the first 4-time WalkAmerica chairman for March of Dimes—Nashville. He was the first Business Coordinator of the Year for INROADS who also worked for the organization, and the first Member of the Year for 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee who also served as their executive director. He was the first community engagement chairman for the Nashville Symphony Board of Directors and their Community Leader of the Year.
He has been a board member for Nashville State Community College, the Young Leaders Council, and the Edgehill Center. He has been a member of the Middle Tennessee Donors Forum, the People Services Committee, and the Youth Development Task Force.
He has been recognized as an AKA Community Legend; a Big Brother of the Year; a Delta Sigma Theta Man of Achievement; a 1999 graduate of, and facilitator for, Leadership Nashville; a Board Member and Diversity Volunteer of the Year for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce; and a Young Leader of the Year.
Over the past 30 years, Derek has served as an advisor, trainer, or keynote speaker for more than 100 nonprofits such as Gigi’s Playhouse, Martha O’Bryan, Oasis Center, and STARS.
Currently, he serves as the president and CEO of YMG Enterprises, LLC, a Nashville-based corporate culture consulting firm that helps organizations create a winning corporate culture. His culture strategies have helped hundreds of thousands of leaders across America move from good to legendary performance. Since 1987, he has conducted more than 5,000 consulting, training, speaking, and coaching programs in leadership development, performance management, diversity & inclusion, executive presence, sales & service, and strategic planning.
Derek and his wife Allyson live in Nashville with their four children. His motto is God first, others second and dreams third.
Follow Derek on Twitter: @DYSpeaker
