Today for If You Can Hear Her, You Can Be Her, I spoke with Lauren Smith Kennedy, a nonprofit professional making a meaningful impact both locally and beyond!
Lauren shared her work with the South Portland Food Cupboard, which recently moved into a larger space, allowing the organization to expand its reach and serve even more families in the community. As the only full-time employee, she plays a key role in keeping operations running while continuing to grow its impact.
Her passion for nonprofit work started early, tracing back to her high school years, and has continued to shape her career path. In addition to her work with the food cupboard, Lauren is also the founder of The Tilly Project, an initiative inspired by her late beloved cat.
The Tilly Project provides end-of-life pet photography and grief resources for pet owners, creating space for people to honor and remember their animals. What began as a personal idea has grown into a widely recognized community, with thousands of members connecting through its online platforms!
Lauren emphasized the importance of balance, especially in emotionally driven work. She spoke about prioritizing time outside of work and maintaining strong platonic relationships as a way to stay grounded.
Her message to young women is to pursue work that feels meaningful, while also protecting their time and energy. She encourages others to build supportive relationships and remember that impact can take many different forms.
Listen to the full interview below!
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