Nonprofit Board Member of the Year: Andrea Brady | Lost & Found Grief Center

Andrea Brady says if she is asked to help, she often says yes.

“I really enjoy supporting organizations, whether it be through board service or volunteerism,” she says. “I really enjoy the different doors that open up.”

Brady, community outreach and development manager at Great Southern Bank, has been part of the boards for the Lost & Found Grief Center, the Springfield Business Development Corp., Springfield Innovation Inc. and Greater Missouri Leadership Foundation, among others.

“I’ve often been teased that I can’t say no, and that is probably true,” she says. “But how do you say no to an organization that is doing so many wonderful things for our community?”

She says after committing, she becomes educated on the mission and then advocates.

“I am spending time with them, and I am giving them my service, but I am learning,” she says.
“I am getting something out of it as well.”

For example, she says giving back has resulted in friendships, a deeper understanding of where she lives and a greater sense of purpose.

“I want Springfield to be a great place to live, and I don’t want to sit back and say we need to do this or that,” she says. “I want to be involved in helping to make that happen.”

She has been heavily involved in Rotary, which has helped her stay energized to assist nonprofits in the area.

“The more involved that we are, the more things we do for our community, the stronger our community will become,” she says.

Brady says a good board member asks questions, offers insight when asked and assists with tasks that strengthen an organization.

She says by being engaged, listening and sharing her knowledge, she can be an example to others. She says she approaches each role with dedication and care.

“As far as what is on the horizon, I don’t know,” she says. “Whoever comes along and says ‘Hey, do you want to be involved with this,’ I’ll say yes. I just want to be open.”

Brady says Great Southern Bank’s Community Matters program encourages employees to get involved.

“If we want to see a change, or we want things to get better, or we want to support, I feel we have to get our hands in there and be part of that,” she says.