Business Advisory Board Member (Volunteer)

Mentor A Promise is a New York City–based nonprofit serving children and youth (ages 5–18) experiencing housing instability, grounded in the belief that every child is a Promise—full of potential, dignity, and possibility. We deliver consistent, high-quality programming across mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, and creative expression in shelters, schools, and community spaces, creating structured environments where students can grow, be seen, and build lasting skills. Through signature experiences like The Imagination Studio, The Kitchen Table, The Sound Lab, and The Story Space, we nurture academic development, emotional well-being, and creative voice, all within a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and accessibility-centered framework. Our work prioritizes dignity-protective storytelling, consent-driven engagement, and deep community partnership, ensuring that how we serve is as intentional as whom we serve. We are not only addressing immediate needs - we are building pathways to confidence, belonging, and long-term opportunity, so every child has the support and foundation to carry their promise forward. , Business Advisory Board Member (Volunteer) Executive Team | Business Strategy, Growth, Innovation & Executive Advisory Organization Mentor A Promise (MAP) Division Executive Team Location Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed Type Volunteer Executive Advisory Role Commitment Approximately 2–4 hours per month, with additional participation around key strategic priorities Minimum Commitment 1-year Commitment Preferred Works Closely With Chief Executive Officer, Chair of the Business Advisory Board, Executive Leadership Team, and fellow Business Advisory Board Members About Mentor A Promise Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability through mentorship, literacy, education, social-emotional learning, creative opportunity, advocacy, technology-enabled programming, and community-centered support. As MAP grows, we are building the leadership, strategic relationships, organizational capacity, and innovative thinking necessary to expand our impact responsibly and sustainably. About The Business Advisory Board The Business Advisory Board is a strategic advisory body within MAP’s Executive Team. The Board brings together accomplished executives, entrepreneurs, business leaders, strategists, and subject-matter experts who contribute experience, perspective, relationships, and constructive challenge to MAP’s executive leadership. Members help MAP think more critically about strategy, growth, innovation, sustainability, partnerships, technology, organizational capacity, and emerging opportunities. This is not a governing board position. The Business Advisory Board is a non-fiduciary advisory body and does not exercise governance, supervisory, or operational authority over Mentor A Promise. Advisory Opportunity Mentor A Promise is seeking accomplished leaders to serve as members of its Business Advisory Board. Members will serve as strategic thought partners to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team, bringing expertise from business and industry to some of the organization's most important opportunities and challenges. We are not looking for people who simply lend their names to an advisory board. We are looking for active advisors who ask difficult questions, challenge assumptions constructively, share lessons from experience, identify possibilities, make thoughtful connections, and help leadership see around corners. Key Responsibilities Executive & Strategic Advisory Provide thoughtful counsel to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team.Advise on organizational strategy, growth, innovation, sustainability, and long-term positioning.Help leadership test assumptions and evaluate strategic alternatives.Identify emerging opportunities, challenges, and risks.Bring relevant business, industry, economic, technology, and organizational perspectives into strategic discussions.Provide constructive challenge while respecting executive decision-making authority. Expertise & Perspective Contribute expertise in one or more areas such as Business and corporate strategyEntrepreneurshipFinance and investmentTechnology and artificial intelligenceInnovationMarketing and audience growthRevenue diversificationPartnershipsOperationsOrganizational developmentTalent and leadershipRiskConsultingSocial impactOther areas relevant to MAP’s future Members are not expected to know everything. The Board’s strength should come from assembling people whose experiences, disciplines, industries, and perspectives complement one another. Relationships & Opportunity Development Help expand MAP’s relationships across business, corporate, philanthropic, entrepreneurial, academic, technology, and professional communities.Make thoughtful introductions where appropriate.Identify potential partnerships, resources, expertise, and strategic opportunities.Connect MAP with people and institutions capable of advancing organizational priorities.Serve as an informed ambassador for MAP within appropriate professional networks. Advisory Board Participation Participate actively in scheduled Business Advisory Board meetings.Review relevant materials and come prepared to contribute.Engage respectfully with differing perspectives.Participate in relevant strategic discussions between meetings when appropriate.Follow through on commitments and introductions.Help build a Board culture grounded in curiosity, candor, contribution, humility, and respect. Potential Advisory Priorities The Business Advisory Board may advise executive leadership on Enterprise strategyOrganizational growthStrategic partnershipsInnovation and new venturesRevenue diversification and sustainabilityCorporate engagementTechnology and emerging opportunitiesOrganizational capacityTalent and leadershipEntrepreneurshipMarket and sector trendsStrategic riskLong-term organizational positioning Priorities may evolve as MAP grows. Role Boundaries & Governance The Business Advisory Board is distinct from MAP’s governing Board of Directors. Members provide advice, expertise, relationships, perspective, and constructive challenge. They do not exercise fiduciary authority, supervise MAP leadership or volunteers, independently direct organizational divisions, or approve budgets, policies, contracts, personnel decisions, or executive actions. The CEO and other duly authorized MAP leaders retain organizational decision-making and executive authority. Advisory Board Members influence MAP through the quality of their judgment, expertise, questions, relationships, and strategic insight—not through operational authority. The strongest members know how to advise without managing, challenge without undermining, contribute without controlling, and influence without overstepping. Ideal Member Profile This opportunity is particularly well suited for accomplished current or former CEOs, Presidents, and C-suite executivesEntrepreneurs and foundersCorporate executivesStrategy and management consulting leadersFinance and investment leadersTechnology executivesGrowth and innovation executivesMarketing and communications executivesOperations and organizational leadersPhilanthropic and social-impact leadersExperienced board and advisory-board membersSenior subject-matter experts Strong candidates will demonstrate Significant professional or senior leadership experienceExceptional strategic and business judgmentAbility to contribute sophisticated perspectives to executive discussionsWillingness to challenge assumptions constructivelyStrong professional relationships and willingness to make thoughtful introductionsExecutive maturity balanced with humilityCuriosity and openness to different perspectivesRespect for nonprofit governance and executive decision-making boundariesGenuine commitment to MAP’s mission and the communities we serve What Success Looks Like Success means MAP’s executive leadership receives thoughtful, relevant, and actionable counsel.Members actively contribute rather than simply hold an advisory title.Leadership assumptions are constructively tested.Diverse professional expertise strengthens strategic decision-making.Members identify meaningful opportunities, risks, relationships, and resources.Strategic introductions create valuable connections and opportunities.Members understand MAP’s mission, priorities, and organizational context.The Board helps leadership think further ahead and make stronger decisions.The Business Advisory Board creates meaningful strategic value without becoming another layer of organizational bureaucracy. Why This Role Matters The strongest executive teams do not assume every answer already exists inside the organization. They intentionally surround themselves with people who have built organizations, led through uncertainty, navigated difficult decisions, recognized opportunities, made mistakes, learned from them, and developed judgment worth sharing. MAP’s Business Advisory Board brings those perspectives into the room. The purpose is not to run Mentor A Promise. It is to help the people responsible for leading Mentor A Promise think more clearly about where the organization is going and what it will take to get there. Commitment Approximately 2–4 hours per month, with additional participation around relevant strategic priorities1-year commitment preferredParticipate in scheduled Business Advisory Board meetingsReview relevant materials when appropriateContribute expertise to strategic discussionsSupport thoughtful introductions and opportunities where appropriateMaintain confidentiality, professionalism, integrity, and appropriate advisory boundaries What You’ll Gain Opportunity to advise the CEO and Executive Leadership Team of a growing mission-driven nonprofitCollaboration with accomplished professionals across industriesOpportunity to apply business expertise to meaningful social impactExposure to emerging nonprofit strategies, programs, technologies, and initiativesOpportunity to develop cross-sector relationshipsMeaningful opportunity to strengthen an organization serving children and families experiencing housing instability How To Apply Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist and submit Resume or Executive CVBrief Statement of Interest Please highlight relevant experience in executive leadership, business strategy, entrepreneurship, finance, technology, innovation, organizational growth, consulting, partnerships, corporate leadership, advisory boards, or other areas where your expertise could strengthen MAP. We are particularly interested in leaders who understand that great advisors do not need to run the organization to influence its future. They ask better questions, challenge thinking, share hard-earned perspective, open meaningful doors, and help leaders see what may be coming next. Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Mentor A Promise. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, compliance, and programmatic requirements. Bring your experience. Challenge our thinking. Expand what we can see. Help us build what comes next.