Speaker 1: 0:30

My name is Keri Schramm and I'm the Executive Director of Accelerated Visions and formerly known as Kairos Charities, and what we do is we help connect nonprofits to students and mentors. We do projects for the nonprofits by bringing in a team of students and then the mentors guide the students through the projects.

Speaker 2: 0:51

I love that. I'd like to know how you got started and what made you want to start in this industry and help other organizations.

Speaker 1: 0:58

Yes, absolutely. So it was a pretty interesting story. Actually, it was something that came to me. I worked in retail for 25 years and give you a little backstory I was in a crazy car accident in 2022 of April 2022, where a tire came off a vehicle on the interstate and hit my car head on.

Speaker 1: 1:30

The car was on fire. I was able to get out of the car, lost the car and at that time I took a couple weeks off. I typically don't take a lot of time off of work, but the doctor's like I think you need to take some time off and process what you've been through and then through a slight injury I had, and so that kind of helped me to like pause and reflect on life itself and what was important. And so, several months following that accident, I received a phone call from my brother and my brother said our founder of our company has a nonprofit. They're looking for an executive director. We think you would be a perfect fit for that.

Speaker 1: 2:14

And I was like, first of all, I was like me, nonprofit. I have no experience in 501c3. But I do love people and I love working with teams and collaborating and doing different things, and I've planned events in retail. So I enjoy doing that too and I thought, wow, you know, for someone that's a little bit older in age, I thought what a cool opportunity this would be to be able to learn something completely new and apply some of what I had to offer through some of my retail experience and bring that to the nonprofit world. So here I am today. It's been a little over two years and I've learned a ton and met a lot of great people.

Speaker 2: 3:04

I'm sure, and you're making a positive impact and change for these communities and organizations. Which is like so fulfilling? I can't imagine how like fulfilled you must feel to be able to help and help ease certain things for organizations.

Speaker 1: 3:16

Yes, absolutely. It's very exciting. It's ever changing and I think the best part is to see the change not only in the nonprofits, but the change in the students too. Oh yes.

Speaker 2: 3:28

Talk to me about the students. They're part of your team. They make up the team right, absolutely.

Speaker 1: 3:32

So it's not that they're like a team.

Speaker 2: 3:35

So let me explain a little more about like what we do so we partner with several universities.

Speaker 1: 3:40

We partner with West Virginia University. We do the bulk of our projects with West Virginia University and we do some of our projects with Virginia Tech, the college of Pamplin, school of Pamplin, and they do a lot of our business type of projects like business map, canvas so like a five year plan for a new nonprofit, yeah, and then some of the projects that we do with West Virginia. Our first project we did with them was a technology project where we did some integration of a content management and learning management system and then added in a refresh of a website onto one platform, and so that really helped to allow and accelerate the growth of that nonprofit, so they were able to have everything on an app-friendly platform for them and the students did all the heavy lifting, which was really incredible.

Speaker 1: 4:36

And then bringing in an industry mentor really helps to guide the students and allows them to see what it's like outside of academia, which I really think is the magic 100%, and so at the end, the students get a real world project experience, and then the nonprofits get a great project for them, where the development of the project for them was free of charge. We actually ended up saving them $200 a year and made their life so much easier, right.

Speaker 2: 5:06

I love that.

Speaker 1: 5:07

Thank you. Everybody's winning all around the students and the organization.

Speaker 2: 5:11

What more could you ask for Right?

Speaker 1: 5:12

Thank you. Yes, and we're bringing on new projects this year. So, being in the nonprofit world, I hear a lot of people like we need social media support. So we are partnering with West Virginia University on a marketing project coming up this spring, so really excited about that. More to come. And then we have another project with a nonprofit called Chair the Love. Yeah, chair the Love.

Speaker 1: 5:38

Chair the Love. They provide wheelchairs for disabled people in other countries. It's an amazing organization and we're creating the students, not where the students are creating a platform for them for auctions that they do, so it will help them to raise money more efficiently when they're doing their auctions. So that kicks off in a couple weeks, very excited.

Speaker 2: 6:03

Yeah, no, I'm excited for you and for the students, already kicking off the new year like yes, I'm so excited Wow. Thank you. And then for the students, how can they is there like a prerequisite to volunteer? How does the volunteer process work or how can you be part?

Speaker 1: 6:20

of this? Yeah, great question. So the teams are chosen from the professors at the university. So what we do is we we, as Accelerated Visions go out and vet the nonprofits to find out what their needs are. We scope the project with the university professors and we work with the nonprofit to find out what their needs are. And then what we do is they put together a team of students, so two team leader students and then the rest of the team is experiential students that come and learn underneath them, which is really cool is experiential students that come and learn underneath them, which is really cool. Those students are. They receive a scholarship, they're Lewis fellows, and so they receive a scholarship for leading the projects, and so it's almost like bringing an internship into the university. So it's really awesome. And especially in that area, there's not a lot of technology infrastructure, so to be able to bring some of that to them is very rewarding.

Speaker 2: 7:21

Yeah, oh, my gosh. All these skills that they're going to have, you can put on their resume and just feel good about what they're doing and the impact that they're making so cool. I'd like to ask you about some of the current projects that you've got going on. Would you mind sharing with us?

Speaker 1: 7:35

Yeah, absolutely so. I mentioned Chair of the Love and then Flip Flop Friends will be joining us. They're a local nonprofit. They'll be joining us for the marketing project, but our past projects was we worked with Loudon Cares, which is super great because they're local and they do a lot of wonderful things for the community. We came in with a team of cybersecurity students to create a cybersecurity form for the eviction program, so that was one of the projects we did for them. And then we did a project with Vets Retreat Virginia and Upside Down Moments and we created a five-year plan for them, a business plan.

Speaker 2: 8:19

Oh, my goodness, I'm sure they appreciated that.

Speaker 1: 8:21

So much yeah absolutely, and the students do all the lifting and the nonprofits are there to kind of guide them along the way of what their needs are and what their organization is about.

Speaker 2: 8:31

Wonderful. I'd like to ask you about marketing. I know you're going to be going on board with who was it, I'm sorry, oh, west Virginia University, west Virginia University to help with implementing your online presence. I'd like to ask you, what are you currently doing to get the word out there about what you're doing, because it's like you can't hold onto this like a secret. You got to have other people to hear and know about it. I think it's great. So do you go to maybe networking events? Are you an avid social media user? To get your name out there? What are you doing that works?

Speaker 1: 8:59

Oh, great question. So I've plugged into the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce. That has been super amazing. Great group of people, a lot of local businesses, made a lot of wonderful connections and friends through the chamber. And then we also connect with Loudon Economic Development. So they do tech meetups every month at Old Ox and I participate in that and meet a lot of great people in the cybersecurity industry. So it's awesome and that's how I stay connected. As far as social media, we have an intern that is helping us out and so he's learning and growing through the process.

Speaker 2: 9:39

Yeah, I love it. I'd like to ask you about the accelerated visions and donating. What can people do to donate besides money? Do you only take money as well when it comes to helping a good cause, or is there other ways that we can help as well? I just want to get the word out there.

Speaker 1: 10:05

So we have a website and you can donate through the website. We also are always looking for mentors, so on our website there's a tab to apply for mentorship, and mentorship is about a 45 minute time requirement a week. It could be bi-weekly, depending on the schedule and what the students are working on, for about 15 weeks.

Speaker 2: 10:20

Okay, I love that. And then I'd like to talk to you about your charity partners and who you guys work with, if you want to just mention those.

Speaker 1: 10:29

Yeah, absolutely so. We work with a lot of the people that we partner with for our nonprofits, our local nonprofits. So, uh, we we partner with, um uh, loud and Cares. We partner with 500 Rising and Flip Flop Friends, bets, retreat, virginia and Upside Down Moments. So we have a handful of different nonprofits that we partner with, but always are looking to partner with new and different nonprofits that are in need, and do you only stay locally, or can maybe like Maryland, or is it only just local?

Speaker 1: 11:04

It could be anywhere because it's virtual. So again, chair, the Love is out of Florida, so we're working with them and so that will be fun. They actually flew the students down to see. Yes, it was cool, it was a student and professor. They had them come down to see what their auctions were about. So when they went back to the university they were able to then communicate what the needs were for that nonprofit and then they'll work on that this spring.

Speaker 2: 11:30

Oh my goodness, I'm sure they were like over the moon, like what I'm going to Florida.

Speaker 1: 11:34

I love it.

Speaker 2: 11:35

Surprise. I love that. Yes, it was super cool. Yeah, I'm sure, like hello Florida, maybe they got to go a little bit off the beach, I don't know, just take a moment.

Speaker 1: 11:42

Take a quick picture. I think they're only there for a short period of time. Okay, fine, maybe next time.

Speaker 2: 11:46

Maybe next time they'll get blown out somewhere else. But and then I'd also like to ask you about your Accelerated Visions Golf Tournament. Talk to me about that.

Speaker 1: 11:53

Yeah, absolutely so. We do a golf tournament. This will be our third year. Third year's the charm. Past years it was Kairi's charity, so this will be our first accelerated visions golf tournament, so really excited about that. We're always looking for golfers. Um, we have the date already in place. It's September 5th this year and it's on a Friday, so it's it's a. It's a long weekend for the golfers that want to come out and support us, and all the net proceeds from the golf tournament do go to these projects.

Speaker 2: 12:27

Yeah, I'd like to ask you about. It says formerly Kairos Charities. What was the name change? What happened there, did you?

Speaker 1: 12:37

guys rebrand or anything. So we did a rebrand recently, last year it's funny to say last year, because we're a couple of weeks ago. Yes, it was during the golf tournament last year that we changed our name. We wanted our new name to go along with our mission of accelerating the growth of nonprofits. So hence accelerated visions. We look at it as like the visions from what the students are looking at, as like what the nonprofits needs are and also sharing the nonprofits needs with the students.

Speaker 2: 13:08

So it's all about the vision, yeah absolutely, and I'd like to ask you what do you like to do in your free time, when you're not out there managing everything and volunteering? What do you like to do? What, um, what uh helps you reset so that you can be?

Speaker 1: 13:21

refreshed. So I love being outside, I think it's. I love to walk. I can walk and think and it does it does me well to do that. I love yoga, so mindfulness is very important to me, and podcasts always love learning new things, so and I get to be on one. I know this is so crazy I'm so. I was honestly, I was nervous about this, but it's been a great experience.

Speaker 2: 13:46

Good, that's what we love to hear. Thank you, oh, absolutely Thank you for being our guest. I appreciate it. Yeah, is there anything perhaps that I have not touched on that you would like to share? Get the word out there, whether it's about your organization, the students yourself, your personal life, you have the floor to get that information out there.

Speaker 1: 14:13

Thank you, yes, I think just again. We're always looking for mentors that want to join in on these projects, as well as nonprofit organizations that need that extra lift to accelerate forward, and so that could be through a business map, canvas or a technology project. It could also be a marketing project, so we're here to help them with their needs.

Speaker 2: 14:27

I love it. What is one thing that you have learned about yourself since transitioning into this role that maybe you'd like to share with us?

Speaker 1: 14:35

Yes. So one piece of advice is you're never too old to learn something new. Always continue to learn new things. That's one thing like not knowing anything about what a 501 C3 was and then doing research and using AI to help me along the way and different roadblocks and then trying to maneuver through those. It's a challenge, but face your fears.

Speaker 2: 15:04

Yeah, no, absolutely A lot of people are. Sometimes they limit themselves to what they're capable of doing. Or like you're so used to hearing something like, oh, I couldn't do that. Like I'm already like into this too deep, like I don't know and you never know, like when you just actually just go into it and you're like, oh, wait a minute, this is a little bit challenging, but I actually got it. And then the next time it's easier, the next time, and then you're just like pro at it, like just believing in yourself and knowing that putting your foot out there and making that leap, you can do it, you can.

Speaker 1: 15:33

Yes, One foot in front of the other is how I do it. It's how I go about every day. It's just like you know. I wake up and I'm like, okay, I can do this.

Speaker 2: 15:41

It's a new day.

Speaker 1: 15:42

And I think the other important piece is just having people that surround you that are either you know better than you or not maybe better than you, but skilled at what they're doing, and then to have them help you. You can learn from virtually anyone. I learned from the students and I learned from professionals in the industry. So just surround yourself with some great people.

Speaker 2: 16:06

Absolutely, and I'm sure they learn a lot from you guys and you too. Thank you. I appreciate that, yeah for sure. And then what are some goals or hopes that you have for yourself into the new year, with your business and just yourself, personally?

Speaker 1: 16:19

Yeah, so last year we had five projects. Last year, this time we only had one project going. This year, starting the year, we have three projects, so very excited about that, the goal for this year are eight projects to come through and complete. Three more than last year, yes, and then we're also looking to bring on four new mentors this year. So those are the goals that we have as far as the project and the mentors, and then as far as the golf tournament, to increase our net proceeds this year by 10%.

Speaker 2: 16:52

Wonderful. I love that you have your game plan ready to go. I love that, thank you. And now for anybody who's listening and maybe they're thinking like, hey, I think I could be a mentor. What kind of mentor are you looking for, and is it a particular field, or can it be like all kinds of fields?

Speaker 1: 17:06

Talk to me a little bit about that. Yeah, so someone with a diverse background a little bit of technology knowledge or marketing knowledge would be great business knowledge, but somebody just to bring their experiences to the students and help manage the project along the way with the students is really what we're looking for. Kind of coach. The nonprofits also like having an. A perspective from the outside. Looking in is always great because you're able to see things a little differently.

Speaker 2: 17:34

Yeah, absolutely and then virtually. Do you not virtually, but you're currently virtual. Have you ever considered also getting like a space? Or do you already have a space, or have you given that thought, or do you like staying virtual? Is that something that's like you know what? Why fix something that isn't broken Like it's? It's doing just fine.

Speaker 1: 17:54

Yeah, so as a nonprofit we're always budget conscious, so to be able to be virtual and not having a building really saves us money and is able for us to put to the projects that we do Love it.

Speaker 2: 18:07

Yeah, got to put resources into what you want and then cut back on things that perhaps aren't that necessary. And plus, a lot of businesses since COVID have also gone virtual and it's been a game changer for them Therapists, doctors, all kinds of things and I think that is so incredible, like we had those tools even before COVID, but we just needed, unfortunately, something crazy to happen for people to realize like, hey, wait a minute, this is this is actually like a great avenue it is.

Speaker 1: 18:34

It's great and it's fun to see, like it's fun to see everything evolve through technology, so to be able to do things virtually where years ago I don't think it was to your point with COVID everything's changing in some. In some ways it's changed things for good too.

Speaker 2: 18:49

Yeah it has, although I feel like a lot of like the world kind of went a little bit like what are we going to do? Like we're cooped up in a house and like I think since then it has not kind of like gone back. But as far as technology, yes, but sometimes it's like it's okay, everything's going to be fine, things are going to go back to being normal, but I feel like it hasn't been the same. Do you ever feel like that?

Speaker 1: 19:08

maybe sometimes, sometimes I think as humans we adapt to challenges and changes, even though sometimes they think we're resistant to that. So I just think it as it flows to your point, and sometimes it's scary, and sometimes it's wonderful. Yeah, but you just got to get through it. Yeah, exactly Exactly.

Speaker 2: 19:29

And then I would like to ask you what other challenges have you gone through as the CEO, founder of your organization? That maybe it's been finding volunteers in the beginning and maybe that's not an issue anymore but something that you've gone through. That maybe others are listening and they can learn from this experience or get like one little nugget of insightful information from you?

Speaker 1: 19:52

Yeah, yeah, so it's pretty interesting. When I met the founder, he said I have two things that I'd like you to do. He said one is change the world. And I'm like, wow, that's a tall order I'd like you to do.

Speaker 2: 20:03

He said one is change the world, and I'm like wow that's a tall order.

Speaker 1: 20:05

Yes, I am. And then he said in to run a golf tournament. Both things I was like I can change, help change the world, but as far as far as a golf tournament, I wasn't knowledgeable in that, and so I think that finding your way and leaning on others to help you through the process is the best thing that you can do, and to develop the program to what it is now. To look back, it's pretty awesome, really excited about what's to come, but again it takes a village.

Speaker 2: 20:37

You can't do it yourself? Yes, for sure. And then in that transition point for you, was the founder there to, I guess, help you? Or were they like hey, give me a call if you need help. Or was it more just like I'd love to help you, but unfortunately I'm getting out of this. I will help you here, but that's it? Or did you have a mentor? How was that transition?

Speaker 1: 20:58

actually is one of my biggest supporters and he's helped me out through this whole process. But the shout out brother shout out to my brother, scott. He's been incredible throughout the process, challenging me and coaching me through some difficult situations. The board has been super helpful with our rebrand especially, and just the restructure of who we are today. It's been a long road but we all came together and working on it little by little.

Speaker 2: 21:28

Absolutely. And then, as time goes by and maybe you look back, maybe it's been like 10 years. We'll say 10 years and you look back. What is the type of impact that you hope that you were able to achieve?

Speaker 1: 21:42

Yeah that you hope that you were able to achieve. Yeah, so I just would love to be working with more universities, more students and more nonprofits to help not only local nonprofits but other nonprofits that are in need of, whether it be a technology project or marketing, almost like incubating some of the nonprofits to get them to the next level. That would be most rewarding. Love it.

Speaker 2: 22:04

And would you mind sharing with me what are some common misconceptions, whether it is about your organization or in your industry, that you would like to share?

Speaker 1: 22:12

So we are a 501c3, but we're set up as a private operating foundation, and just an example of a private operating foundation is a museum. So when Kairos Charities was founded, the founders sold a company and put money into Kairos Charities to get that started. So they decided to file it under a private operating foundation because of what they did with the company. And so a lot of misconceptions sometimes about a private operating foundation is that it's funded through the founders and with us. Yes, there's money in the account that keeps the organization going to this point, but that's not primarily how we fund the organization. It's through events like our golf tournament and from private donations or donations from the public that help us with these projects.

Speaker 2: 23:05

Yeah, okay, now that is good to know, because sometimes I can't tell the difference with some of the organizations, unfortunately, because I'm not well-versed. So that is a key point to make there. So thank you for sharing that. Thank you for asking, absolutely. And now my final question is do you have a saying or a mantra that has inspired you, or maybe someone has told you something that resonated? Would you mind sharing that as like a final message for our listeners?

Speaker 1: 23:29

Yeah. So actually I have two things. So one is always continue to learn new things, Always challenge yourself and, even if it's uncomfortable, step outside the box. And then the second thing I think for going into 2025 word of the year, everyone's like what's your word of the year? And it's thinking about it. It's pause, because we need to pause and listen, pause to reflect and pause to take time for yourself. Be in the moment. Be in the moment.

Speaker 2: 24:01

Yes, I love that. No, seriously, I feel like that's going to be my thing this year is like pause. I feel like I've been going to like last year I went to so many concerts I was just like, oh, and I feel like this year I want to really like pause, focus on myself and really just be in the moment, like be on my phone less and just be more present. So that really resonates with me and hopefully our listeners too when they listen, like that's a good one. Pause is the word for 2025. We all need to pause, exactly. Thank you so much for being on the podcast and giving us your time, wisdom and sharing your experiences with us. It was awesome having you here.

Speaker 1: 24:38

Thank you for having me. I really appreciate you.