NON-PROFIT – This spotlight series features T. Howard Foundation (THF) alumni working in the non-profit sector.
Mohammad Pasha (THF ‘18)
Please describe your role.
Revamp Fit Co-founder/Organization Manager. As a small organization, my role overlaps many responsibilities, including strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, and digital presence management.
What do you enjoy most about your company?
I mostly enjoy that I’m passionate about the mission of, Revamp Fit, to provide equitable access to fitness instruction through in-person and virtual programming. Our mission is straight forward and can directly benefit a wide variety of individuals.
In what way did this type of work interest you and how did you get started?
The most interesting thing about my work with, Revamp Fit, is that I get to learn as I go. I highly value work opportunities that require research, problem-solving and taking initiative.
As natives of Takoma Park, MD the organization got started through a shared desire with Revamp Fit co-founder/head trainer, Abel Asafere, and myself to make a positive impact on our local community. That desire lead to an opportunity to provide equitable access to fitness instruction through a contracted summer fitness Bootcamp.
Abel and I spent the next year jumping from studio to studio to offer fitness classes, and fine-tune a methodology of fitness instruction for our organization. During this time I was also working for another local non-profit organization and gaining experience with strategic planning and fundraising. Eventually, Abel and I were able to combine our skills, experiences, and passion to officially launch the Revamp Fit non-profit.
How has your affiliation with the T. Howard Foundation influenced your career?
My experiences with the T. Howard Foundation broadened my perspective on what a career in media could look like. It also connected me with an ambitious and talented network of young professionals who I will continue to build relationships with throughout my professional career.
What personal attributes have been essential to your career success?
Passion, optimism, and risk-taking are all personal attributes that have been essential in my career success, and the success of Revamp Fit thus far.
If you were entering this career today, how would you prepare to facilitate entry?
If I were to give advice to someone looking to start a non-profit today, I would recommend doing research on the wants and needs of your target audience and to listen to feedback from that audience over time.
In one sentence please describe what work/life balance means to you.
For me, work/life balance is understanding that I have a responsibility to allocate time and resources to my body, mind, family, friends, community, and workplace, and that to progress in one aspect of life requires striving for progress in all aspects of life.
Use one word to describe how you practice self-care.
Breath.
Are you extroverted or introverted? How does this show up in your professional life?
I would consider myself a calm extrovert. I believe my socially confident nature in workplaces is driven by my optimistic passion for problem-solving. This has shown in my professional life through my ability to facilitate goal-oriented meetings and getting the most out of co-workers by making everyone feel confident in sharing their ideas and perspectives.