Building stronger teams through shared voice and collaboration

Marin Kirby De Leon, Executive Director Monmouth Cares

At the heart of every effective nonprofit lies a commitment to inclusion, both in the services it provides as well as how it leads from within. Inclusive leadership is about more than representation or equity; it’s about creating an environment where every voice is valued, heard, and has the potential to influence meaningful change.

Across New Jersey, Care Management Organizations (CMOs) are showing what this looks like in practice. These organizations, which serve youth and families through New Jersey’s Children’s System of Care, have built internal cultures that mirror their mission of collaboration, respect, and empowerment.

CMOs have found creative, concrete ways to make it part of their daily operations. Many use digital “suggestion box” forms, where staff can share ideas, raise concerns, or suggest improvements anonymously. This approach creates a safe space for honest feedback and ensures that leadership can stay connected to the experiences and insights of the team at every level.

Marin Kirby De Leon, Executive Director at MonmouthCares, is committed to summarizing each and every suggestion box item in a transparent way at monthly staff meetings, even if it’s not possible to accommodate. At the end of the fiscal year, her quality team summarizes how many suggestions resulted in changes over the course of the year.

In many CMOs, inclusive leadership is also practiced through staff-led committees that meet to discuss workplace issues, organizational culture, and opportunities for growth. These groups give employees ownership in shaping their work environment, ensuring that decisions aren’t made in a vacuum.

Another hallmark of inclusive leadership is the way decisions are made. A number of CMOs have adopted decision-making structures that allow for a lot of staff voice across departments and roles.

“Inclusive leadership starts with listening. At FACT, we believe every staff member’s voice matters in shaping our future. Each year, we conduct an anonymous employee feedback survey and share the results, and the actions we take with the entire agency,” says FACT CMO CEO Anthony Cameli. “Beyond the survey, I meet with staff in small groups to hear firsthand what’s working and where we can improve. When people feel heard, they feel valued, and that’s how we strengthen both our organization and the impact we have on families.”

When staff feel included in their organization’s direction, they’re more engaged, motivated, and aligned with its mission. Inclusive decision-making not only makes people feel valued, it also strengthens outcomes for the families and communities CMOs serve.

In the nonprofit world, inclusive leadership is both a moral and strategic imperative. The work is complex, the stakes are high, and the best ideas rarely come from one person alone.