112. Inclusive Leadership with Jana Reed, COO of Nonprofit Finance Fund

How do you get real team buy-in?

In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I talk with Jana Reed, COO of Nonprofit Finance Fund. Jana brings years of experience as a systems-level leader—previously serving as COO of iMentor, co-founder of Ascend Learning, and Chief of Schools at Citizens of the World Charter Schools.

Jana walks us through how her leadership has evolved—from focusing on modeling hard work to now prioritizing shared values, clear communication, and co-creation with her team.

We discuss:

• The importance of frameworks like operating agreements and shared values to set expectations and build culture

• Why asking for help is a strength, not a weakness

• How transparency in vision and strategy builds alignment and trust

• What co-creation really takes—and why involving your team early leads to stronger outcomes

This episode is for leaders who want to move from top-down decision-making to more inclusive, sustainable leadership practices. Thank you, Jana, for sharing your advice!

Get full show notes and more information here:https://analizawolf.com/episode-112-inclusive-leadership-with-jana-reed-coo-of-nonprofit-finance-fund