Name: Jane S. Kornblut
Address: McLean, VA 22101
Phone: 703-993-8189
E-mail: jkornblu@gmu.edu
Town: McLean.
Number of years in that town: 32.
Employment:
Until this past January, I was executive director of Volunteer Fairfax, the central resource for volunteerism and leadership in Fairfax County. I now am on the faculty of George Mason University as the nonprofit professional-in-residence in the Department of Public and International Affairs. Besides teaching graduate studies in nonprofit management, I am developing a community outreach program between the university and the nonprofit sector in the region. This includes convening conferences on critical issues in the sector, offering professional development training sessions for emerging leaders, and technical assistance and consultation to nonprofit organizations. I also have a private consulting business to assist local nonprofits with strategic planning, board development and fund-raising strategies.
Education:
B.A. from American University,
M.Ed. from George Mason University.
Community Activities:
I was active for many years with The McLean Orchestra, serving as a board trustee and chair. I just recently ended a term on the board of the Fairfax Partnership for Youth. Currently, I am a member to the Fairfax County Homeless Oversight Committee, the Fairfax County Consolidated Community Funding Advisory Committee and the advisory board of the Northern Virginia Community Foundation. I am also on the steering committee for the Virginia Network of Nonprofit Organizations, a newly created statewide nonprofit organization.
What drew you to teaching at GMU?
After more than 20 years as a nonprofit sector consultant and an executive director, I feel that I have knowledge and expertise to share with the next generation of nonprofit leaders. George Mason University is the region's leading academic institution in nonprofit management; I bring the practitioner’s perspective to the classroom and serve as the liaison between the university and nonprofit community for information, resources and technical assistance.
What have you taken with you from past positions? Most definitely I bring with me the "real world" of nonprofit leadership, not just my experiences but the best practices of my colleagues in the field. I have many years of experience working with boards of trustees, both as a consultant and as a trustee.
What about your new position do you enjoy? I really enjoy the students! While I have been a trainer for many years, I have not been in an academic setting since I left Fairfax County Public Schools in 1972. I find the students challenging, engaging and very motivated. I have learned so much in just six weeks.
What has surprised you? The culture of academia is different from any work environment in which I have ever been. Quite rightly the focus is on research and theory, but it is new to me. I very much enjoy the intellectual stimulation — have never read so much in such a short period of time.
Favorite activities: For the past two years I have focused on personal physical fitness, so I spend a lot of time at the gym, and I take Pilates twice a week. I love college basketball and am an avid fan of the ACC. With the tournament coming up and the final four on the horizon, I am planning my evenings and weekends around the games.
One thing about your community that you enjoy that you don't think most people know about, or something important for a newcomer to know: I don't think even many longtime residents know about or value the arts organizations in our community. I just attended a McLean Orchestra concert a few weeks ago and was so delighted to see how it has developed into such a professional ensemble. And then there is the McLean Project for the Arts, recognized throughout the entire mid-Atlantic states as a premier gallery and throughout the region for its education programs, yet right here in McLean people don't know it. Too bad. I encourage people to check out both of these wonderful organizations.
Favorite book: “The Theory and Practice of...” Well, I am reading a lot of text books these days, but my recent favorite reading for pleasure is the Ben Franklin biography by Walter Isaacson Franklin was quite a character, much more than a kite flyer!
Personal heroes: My colleagues who serve as leaders in the nonprofit sector. They receive so little recognition for the tremendous work they accomplish in this community. I salute them!