Building Trust, Using AI, and Growing Nonprofits with Sharon Doctor

What does it take to help nonprofit organizations grow, improve performance, and better serve their communities?

In this episode of the NY Professional Spotlight Podcast, host Roman Kirzhner welcomes Sharon Doctor, Founder and CEO of Valentius LLC, to discuss the importance of strong leadership, better systems, and building trust within organizations.

With more than 20 years of experience working with nonprofit and healthcare organizations, Sharon shares practical lessons about organizational change, responsible technology use, and creating long-term financial stability.

From the Peace Corps to Nonprofit Leadership

Sharon's career was shaped by her experience as a Peace Corps volunteer in Africa, where she helped bring healthcare services to rural communities.

She saw firsthand how people with the greatest healthcare needs often waited until their conditions became serious before seeking help.

That experience inspired her to focus on making services easier to access.

In 2019, she founded Valentius LLC, a New York State-certified minority-owned consulting company that helps nonprofits improve their operations, develop strategies, and grow their impact.

Building Trust and Stronger Organizations

Sharon believes many nonprofits face challenges because of inefficient systems rather than a lack of talented employees.

She explains why organizations need to break down barriers between departments, improve communication, and ensure everyone works toward shared goals.

She also shares an example from her career in which she helped improve organizational performance from approximately 70% to 85%.

Through better performance tracking, staff training, and leadership development, the organization improved its operations and expanded its ability to serve clients.

Using AI Responsibly

Artificial intelligence is changing how organizations operate, but Sharon believes technology must be introduced thoughtfully.

She discusses why leaders should first understand how employees feel about AI, identify opportunities to improve workflows, and establish clear guidelines for responsible use.

She also emphasizes the importance of checking AI-generated information and keeping people involved in important decisions.