I recently had the privilege of attending Lena’s presentation at the University of Hong Kong on stakeholder management in non-profit organizations (NPOs), and it was genuinely eye-opening.
My biggest takeaway was a much broader understanding of what stakeholders really are. In the past, I thought of them as just the staff, beneficiaries, the board, and perhaps some corporate partners. But this session showed me that an organization’s ecosystem is far more dynamic—it also includes volunteers, mentors, alumni, keynote speakers, government bodies, and the community. Each plays an essential role, and their engagement and support form the backbone of an organization’s growth and sustainability.
Building strong partnerships with such a diverse group requires dignity and mutual respect at the core. Lena emphasized that NPOs shouldn’t see themselves as vulnerable entities passively seeking help. Lasting collaboration comes from a deep understanding of the partner’s pain points, the beneficiaries’ genuine needs, and the organization’s own mission and strengths. With that alignment, projects can be co-created to serve all three parties—the partners, the beneficiaries, and the organization—delivering real, shared value.
Equally important, Lena cautioned against allowing the public or corporate partners to view “mothers” as merely a vulnerable group in need of support. Each mother has her own strengths and contributions to offer. Many graduates of the Moms4Moms program, for instance, go on to develop their own skills, services, or products. They become integral members of the organization’s community, often bringing fresh opportunities for collaboration when engaging with new partners.
This session truly reshaped my view of non-profit management. Success in this field depends on an approach rooted in equality and respect—recognizing every stakeholder, understanding their needs, co-creating solutions, and ultimately achieving both empowerment for beneficiaries and long-term sustainability for the organization.
Written by Tracy
2025-2026 Moms4Moms Fellowship Program Fellow