Suzanne Hoyes was looking for a way to meaningfully participate in the Chicago community when she moved here in 2014. She found a way to do that by joining The Night Ministry's Board of Directors. We asked Hoyes, who is Vice President, Compliance for Capri Capital Partners, LLC, a real estate investment management firm, about her experience as a Board Member.
How does your professional experience lend itself to serving on the Board?
With both public service and private sector experience, I have come to understand the complex range of needs that are necessary in the effective operation of an organization, from supporting staff in the direct service of clients, so that they have what they need to do their best work, to the very real constraints of limited resources and maximizing these resources.
What interests and principles have guided your professional career?
I have always approached my work with the intention of doing my very best and to actually help others. I'm guided by the core principles of integrity, honesty, and a sense of fairness and justice, whether it was when I served clients as a social worker in child welfare or now by reinforcing a strong culture of ethical conduct and compliance in financial services.
In your opinion, what are the characteristics of a successful nonprofit board of directors and how does The Night Ministry's Board demonstrate those traits?
A successful nonprofit board of directors requires each director to fundamentally believe and be dedicated to the mission of the organization. This proves to be critical because this dedication is palpable in the director's advocacy on behalf of the organization. The diversity that each director brings to the board is equally important as her dedication. The Night Ministry's Board of Directors is a deeply dedicated group of individuals, and the Board continuously works to cultivate a body of directors that represents varying experiences and perspectives.
What would you say to someone who is considering supporting The Night Ministry?
The Night Ministry is an extraordinarily impactful organization. It is a principled organization that protects the most vulnerable segments of the population in a time when people who need the most help seem to be under attack. And it is an organization that is not afraid to evolve based on the actual needs of clients.