Jeff Breslin Joins Nonprofit Leaders for Conversation on Building Resilient Organizations

Earlier this month, Jeff Breslin, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Baltimore (BGCMB), joined a panel of nonprofit executives for Leading with Resilience – a thoughtful conversation on what it really takes to lead effectively in today’s nonprofit landscape. 

The panel was part of a two-day leadership development workshop hosted by the Dr. Nancy Grasmick Leadership Institute, focused on strengthening resilience among nonprofit executive directors and their boards. Designed for leaders navigating constant change and increasing demands, the event created space for open dialogue, practical skill-building, and shared problem-solving. 

Jeff was joined by fellow panelists Regina Harmon, Executive Director of Food Recovery Network, and Erin Lamb, President & CEO of Gateway Maryland. The conversation was moderated by Kim Fabian, CEO of Elevatr. 

While the event centered on strategy and sustainability, Jeff’s insights were rooted in real, everyday leadership – balancing growth with clarity, and vision with practicality. “Growth doesn’t always feel like progress in the moment,” he shared. “But when you zoom out, you can see the foundation you’ve been building all along.” 

The discussion was framed around the six strengths of resilient organizations. Jeff leaned into two strengths – Invest in What It Really Takes and Strengthen Before Scaling – drawing from BGCMB’s transformation from an organization in crisis to a regional organization managing a $42 million campaign and expansion to three regions: Baltimore City, Howard County and the Eastern Shore. “Over the last eight years, we’ve focused on building the right team, getting our systems in place, and doing the work that would last.” 

Jeff also spoke openly about the emotional realities of nonprofit work. “It can feel like everyone’s doing five jobs and still falling short,” he said. “But when you take a minute to look at the progress, it builds morale, and that’s part of resilience, too.” 

He emphasized the importance of giving teams space to reflect on wins – a leadership habit that reinforces motivation and long-term sustainability. 

The conversation also turned to Board leadership, where Jeff described the role of BGCMB’s Board as a source of clarity and alignment. “There’s space for tough conversations. But when we walk out of the room, we walk out together.” 

He called on nonprofit leaders to reframe how they view investment in operations. “We need to focus on infrastructure, leadership, and systems. That’s the work. That’s what lets you scale.” 

Kim Fabian, who moderated the panel and led the broader two-day workshop, reflected on the conversation. “There’s something powerful about hearing real stories from leaders who have faced tough choices, navigated uncertainty, and built something stronger in the process.” Kim continued, “This panel grounded the conversation in lived experience—and reminded us that resilience isn’t theory, it’s practice.” 

Jeff’s Key Takeaways:

• People are the foundation: Strong teams and systems drive sustainable growth. 

• Perspective matters: Celebrate the wins, even in high-pressure seasons. 

• Boards are partners: The best governance is transparent and united. 

• Mindset shifts matter: Infrastructure is not overhead—it’s what makes impact possible. 

As always, Jeff brought humility, honesty, and real-world experience to the conversation—reminding fellow nonprofit leaders that resilience isn’t a destination, but a set of habits and priorities we choose every day.  

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