Welcome to the Second in Command Podcast, produced by the C.O. Alliance and brought to

its founder Cameron Herald.

In the second-in-command podcast, we talked to top COOs who share the insights, strategies,

and tactics that made them the chief behind the chief.

And now here's your host, Cameron Harold.

Our guest today is Elizabeth Fields, the CEO of the Gary Sinise Foundation.

Elizabeth joined the Gary Sinise Foundation in 2018 as its Director of Development

before being promoted to chief operating officer.

She brings over 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience

to the foundation having previously held a variety

of executive roles with NPR,

the University of Pennsylvania,

of Chicago's Booth School of Business,

University of Arizona's Eller College of Management

and Michigan State University.

Learning to collaborate during a crisis was pivotal building block in her leadership development, particularly in the weeks and months after 9-11, taking collective action with a unified goal in mind and keeping with the best interests of her colleagues has

likewise proved crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in how the foundation

accomplishes its mission.

Throughout her career, Elizabeth has learned that passion is the most important

trait of being happy and successful as a leader. Using this passion has allowed her to evaluate and

build short-term and long-term approaches in multiple industries, creating

collaborative environments, trusting people to do their jobs, empowering staff, giving

...