Love in Leadership: Sister Jayne Helmlinger
Our Love in Leadership series highlights the profound impact of leaders who serve with compassion and a strong commitment to community. This month, we talk with Sister Jayne Helmlinger, a leader whose wisdom and dedication to the common good inspire our daily work.
A Sister of St. Joseph of Orange and a dedicated advocate for justice and healing, Sr. Jayne embodies the essence of servant leadership. Her commitment to serving the dear neighbor without distinction enables us to nurture communities that are more whole, hopeful, and just.
What inspired you to join the St. Joseph Fund Board?
About 15 years ago, I was chair of the board as the Chief Mission Officer and Executive Vice President for Mission Integration for St. Joseph Health (the name of our system then). Even after I left the system, I remained a strong advocate of SJF because of its mission and purpose. The approach of looking at how to empower those providing services is important to me. SJF’s staff have such strong working relationships with our partners that I am confident that those organizations are competent, compassionate, and effective stewards of the funding and capacity-building support we provide. It is an honor to serve on this Board!
From your perspective, what has been one accomplishment of the St. Joseph Fund during your tenure?
After leaving St. Joseph Health in 2011, I have been with the Board for the past year. At our Board retreat in Portland last August, I was truly impressed with the grantee guests who joined us. Their engagement and dialogue with the Board were remarkable, and they reassured me about the professional, compassionate work they are doing in their communities. They shared the “hard data” about their work’s results, along with poignant stories of the impact their services have on individuals in their communities.
Looking ahead, what is one thing you hope we can accomplish (or continue) within the next year?
I hope that we continue to respond to the “signs of the times” regarding our focus as a Board. As the political, social, and economic realities shift and evolve during this next year, new and emergent opportunities might arise where SJF could be an essential partner with others. I hope we remain flexible enough to pivot if the need arises.
I hope we can dialogue with grant partners in Montana, as I found this to be a meaningful connection last August at our retreat in Portland.
Reflecting on our focus on leadership and community healing, how do you see St. Joseph Fund evolving to address a balance between organizational needs and personal renewal?
As we discussed at our August retreat, there is an urgent need to support the Directors, Executives, and staff of those organizations we support. Because most nonprofit organizations are lean in terms of staff and executives, they must receive time to renew, re-energize, and center themselves to continue their work effectively.
The saying, “You cannot give what you do not possess,” is wise. This applies to our leaders because their presence and service quality deteriorate when they are close to burnout. Those being served sense it intuitively and experience it directly.
People work for community organizations because they have the heart and passion for their specific mission. To tap into this wonderful, spiritual energy in the manner in which they serve, they must also receive services. SJF can be instrumental in this because not many other sources of funding exist for this purpose. Because we have strong relationships with those who partner with us, we know who needs renewal support.
One of the important aspects of our founders is the care of persons in body, mind, and spirit. By prioritizing support for personal renewal, we continue to uphold this vital aspect of our founding sponsors.
Sr. Jayne, thank you for sharing your perspectives. We are so grateful for your commitment to the communities supported by SJF. To learn more about our exceptional board members, connect with us on LinkedIn or subscribe to Rooted in Love.
