Voices for Independence (VFI) was founded in 1993 by a group of individuals with disabilities who sought to create an alternative to the existing service and advocacy options available at the time. Their vision was to provide independent living supports and services that are consumer-driven, responsive to, and respectful of people with disabilities.
Today, VFI has grown into a leading nonprofit organization with a $35 million budget, 135 employees, and 1,000 home care workers, all dedicated to supporting independent living. At the heart of this remarkable transformation is the leadership of Shona Eakin, who stepped into her role 24.5 years ago, when VFI had just 14 employees and a $1.2 million budget.
Early in its journey, VFI partnered with Rising Sun Consultants—a collaboration that began 18–19 years ago and continues to this day.
“I wanted to work with Rising Sun Consultants because of their unwavering commitment to servant leadership.” says Shona. As a young leader in her 30s, navigating the complexities of organizational growth, Shona turned to Rising Sun Consultants for guidance on critical questions: “How effective am I as a leader? Am I serving my employees and community well?”. She’s seen the burnout, lower morale, and unnecessary turnover caused by the, ‘my way or the highway’ style leadership. This initial engagement prompted coaching sessions with Rising Sun Consultants, focusing on effectively scaling the organization. One memorable insight earlier on was around improving the culture and seeking feedback. “They (employees) felt like they were working in a dungeon,” Shona recalls. “We installed some windows.” Addressing this seemingly small issue had a profound impact, significantly boosting morale and productivity. Servant leadership isn’t about being weak; it’s about bringing out the best in others.
Throughout VFI’s growth over the years, Rising Sun Consultants’ tailored approach evolved alongside the organization. Rising Sun supported VFI in developing its mission, vision, and values. “The mission, vision, and values we developed years ago are still guiding us today,” Shona says. “Even during a merger in 2019, it was unanimously decided that these principles were excellent and should remain unchanged.” Other engagements include, investing in middle management development and strengthening board governance. “When I started, I had a board of 28 people,” Shona explains. “I felt like I was serving 28 masters. Rising Sun Consultants helped bring structure, clarity, and balance to our governance.” Shona takes pride in the growth and success of her team. By empowering others and fostering a sense of ownership, VFI has become a stronger, more cohesive organization.
For those earlier on their leadership journey, Shona shares these insights: 1) Challenges are inevitable, but asking for help is not a sign of weakness—it’s a display of courage. 2) Know your strengths and surround yourself with people who complement your weaknesses. 3) Never stop learning or growing.
Reflecting on her journey, Shona shares, “I pray daily that God would use me as a faithful servant leader. When you lead with your heart, people follow.” With Shona’s servant leadership philosophy at its core, VFI has flourished. Leadership and culture are pivotal in transforming lives and communities. Shona’s commitment to empowering others, fostering a collaborative culture, and leading with authenticity has expanded VFI’s operations and created a ripple effect of positive change.
To learn more how you can cultivate servant leadership and cultivate a flourishing culture, reach out to us at info@risingsunconsultants.com. At Rising Sun, we are grateful to journey alongside servant leaders because we care about you and your mission.
Rising Sun is a leadership and organizational consulting firm committed to the development of servant leaders, engaged employees, and healthy organizational cultures. We’re truth-tellers who balance candor and care, and for two decades we’ve been a trusted guide and partner to family-owned companies, multinational firms, and nonprofit organizations alike.