Meet Denisha Tate-McAlister | Nonprofit Business Operations Strategist & Executive Leadership Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Denisha Tate-McAlister and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Denisha, what matters most to you?
The most important principle to me is LIVELOVE. There came a day when I realized that I was not present in my life. It was if I was plugged into a life support system. I was alive but not truly living. My daily existence was programmed with a series of actions and encounters, but this was an autopilot sort of living. I did not remember specifics about any portion of my week or month. I just knew I was there. To make matters worse, I learned to tolerate my days and survive my weeks. I made it through, always forging forward at all costs. I was becoming battered, bruised, and emotionally numb because it was the best way to continue on the path and keep it all moving forward for everyone else around me. Then one day, I received an alarming shock to my entire system that made me realize the “life” I was living. I was told that I had cancer and for the first time in a long time…I actually wanted to LIVE. I was not ready to end the journey and say goodbye to all the people I loved. I had so many accomplishments not yet achieved. This could not be how MY story ended. I needed a chance to LIVELOVE. And when given that chance, that’s what I did! I now focus every waking moment on being present in my life. To be an active participant that is finding love in the sunshine, the running of squirrels, the sway of the tree. I feel the wind on my skin and hear the birds chirping and then I DECIDE what today will mean to me. I am no longer on life support, surviving. I am intentional and present. I also teach others to do the same!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I have been a nonprofit professional for more than 20 years. I have always worked in leadership roles- Program Director, Operations Director, Vice President of Programs & Operations, COO, and Chief Strategic Officer. I have had the most amazing nonprofit leadership experiences and have worked with some of the most innovative minds that led teams to noteworthy success. During that process, I have also experienced dysfunctional practices that created unhealthy workplaces and hurt professionals. I always believed there had to be another way of getting things done while uplifting people and allowing everyone to be great- at the same time. I led with a passion for the people I supported. Looking back, I would not change a single thing about my journey. The struggle, battles, and pain created my firm- Denisha Tate & Associates LLC. I always understood that LEADERS LEAD. And leadership is not a title, it’s a view of possibilities coupled with skill of execution. Companies that want to be wildly successful with a healthy work environment must embrace this concept. They allow their employees to show up and be their best selves in the workplace. But to maintain order, the systems of the business must be aligned, clarified, and conducive to talent overload. Yes, Talent Overload. It’s like having the winning team that has multiple superstars on the team that learn to play their roles with excellence at the same time. There is no single- go to player. They are all All-Stars. This requires unity, precision, communication, trust, dedication, and teamwork. The coach needs to know when to get out of the way and let the players play. A coach can accidentally stifle and impede the success of a team of superstars. I have played on THIS sort of team. I have led THIS team in multiple cities. Business growth, positive outcomes, duplication, and sustainability have all be a result! I now help nonprofit organizations reach that goal. The leader determines what game they want to win, and I help coach the entire organization on playing their roles like an All-Star. This includes systems analysis, strategic action planning, staff development, and workplace culture influencing. And I have a network of professionals who have the same heart and are masters of their fields, who join me when needed. I learned the playbook through lived experience working in the nonprofit world. I now share the recipe far and wide. My goal is simple- I want every nonprofit that opens its doors, to serve with excellence. When a person is at their highest point of need, they tend to engage their religious organization and local nonprofit for help. The stronger the organization, the better the service for the person in need. Creating a world in which all people LIVELOVE is my life’s goal. The more organizations I engage with, the more people I help. I have been told I am like Mary Poppins. When an organization calls me, there is a need for change, and something may be broken. But through my love for people and expertise in operational excellence, I provide a spoon full of sugar to make the medicine go down! Once all is well, I say my goodbyes and watch them thrive!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My BFF tour would begin with a stop in Old Scottsdale. There must be a photo in front of the art installation- ‘LOVE’. When I moved to Arizona a year ago, this was my official marker that I was home and, in a place, where I belonged. Next, Culinary Drop Out is a must do on the list. Great food, relaxed environment, and amazing customer service every visit! We will catch a magnificent performance by the Black Theatre Troupe Inc. followed by dinner at The Arrogant Butcher. That dinner and show combination deserves a Tony in my book! The visit will include a day experiencing the West Valley assets as well. Lunch at Rio Mirage Cafe (in El Mirage) is a beautiful setting providing authentic Mexican dishes and the feeling of family as soon as you walk in the door. A night of laughter at Stir Crazy Comedy Club in Westgate/Glendale would definitely be on the list for the visit. To provide a bit of nostalgia, we will stay up late and watch a double feature at the West Wind Glendale 9 Drive-In theatre. While walking around beautiful downtown Phoenix, viewing the stadiums, waving as passengers on the light rail, and being inspired by ASU student brilliance, we will hop over to Rough Riders for the most intriguing menu, atmosphere, and historic setting with Mr. Roosevelt witnessing it all! The week would end with the Friday night live music at the incredible Eddie V’s Prime Seafood- toe tapping, lip smacking amazingly good time for sure! Lastly, a shopping trip to the most beautiful marketplace I have ever experienced- Tempe Market! Winding paths of splendor adorned with beautiful and comfortable furniture, waterfalls, fireplaces, and local art make you want to spend the entire day in that paradise- but don’t break the bank! This is my Best Friend Itinerary- AZ proud!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There is no single person I can pinpoint for my success. My story required a full cast of characters! I owe my success to MY VILLAGE. My family has always believed in me no matter what I was attempting to do, they insisted I was a champion before I began! The way they saw me was an inspiration and guide to who I should be. Because of them I had to succeed. They were watching- siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, parents, and grandparents. I wanted to make them proud. My 5th grade math teacher Mr. Betts gave my behavior a title. He told me I was a LEADER! His lens gave me clarity on who I was, based upon my natural gifts and strengths. I carried this image to college. My Sorority- Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. gave me opportunity to BE ME. They allowed my opinion to matter and move others to join in the efforts. They surrounded me with other leaders to show me that there was more than one way to get things done and to not be afraid to forge my own path to success. Through my Sorority, I met Sisters and a Best Friend! I then found my calling. My long-term employer- Boys & Girls Clubs of America gave me confidence to lead. Over more than 20 years, they matched me with teams of brilliant staff and gave us permission to dream big and achieve even bigger! Across multiple states, I was able to grow as a professional, receive mentorship, guide others to realize their greatness, and fall in love with PURPOSE! My assignment in the earth was being realized. I was on a mission. It was my church families that introduced me to my spiritual self and the truths about life and legacy. I had no reason to be afraid of my journey because it was intentional and predestined. I just needed to be a willing and obedient participant in the story. I connected with the most beautiful people and worked to empower others. I now understood the strength of faith. I forge ahead, but never alone. My amazing husband Dwayne McAlister is my biggest cheerleader, supporter, and friend. He gets me and lets me be me. My village is LOVE and they are the to be recognized for my success as a human being.

Website: www.denishaleads.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/denishaleads

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisha-tate-mcalister-mba-47131121

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denisha.tate1