Rising Stars: Meet Rose Thompson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rose Thompson

Hi Rose, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
As a young child, I loved Mister Roger’s Neighborhood. He showcased the helpers, and I wanted to grow up to be one (well, I also declared I wanted to be a “crayon maker” after his episode that featured a tour of the Crayola factory…). During my middle, high school, and college years, I thought I wanted to be a teacher (and was one for a short time), but my career path and the many moves my husband and I made due to his career led me to the nonprofit sector in the early 2000s. This sector led me down a highly transferable career path where I got to use my skills to help causes I care about. I’ve been fortunate to have an extensive career across multiple states and disciplines in this sector.

Since 2013 I have dedicated my experience and skills to various roles with Activate Good from Volunteer Coordinator to Programs Manager to Senior Programs Manager, and to my current role as Executive Director which I took on in June of 2024 when our Founder departed. Prior to my roles at Activate Good, I gained a wide range of nonprofit experience – from directing programs for a Volunteer Center in Wisconsin, to managing a New York state initiative which provides case management to at-risk youth, to recruiting and matching volunteer mentors & youth for Big Brothers Big Sisters in Georgia, and to directing camps for the YMCA in Asheville, NC. I also taught Communications in Greenville, South Carolina after earning my B.A. in Secondary Education English from Clemson University.

In the last few years, I took professional development to the next level by gaining my Nonprofit Management Certification from Duke University, and I was recently appointed as a State Commissioner on the North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service. Activate Good’s mission to improve our community through people powered projects for good just resonates with me, and I love working towards it while being surrounded by like-minded people that want to make the world a better place for all.

It is an honor to serve alongside my amazing team as we empower volunteers of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to meet thousands of needs annually by helping worthy nonprofits and schools across the Greater Triangle. Our organization is also an affiliate of Points of Light, a global network that focuses on volunteer-mobilizing and community service organizations and serves more than 145 affiliates across 39 countries around the world. Being a part of this massive network and being able to serve so many causes makes our work truly powerful and fulfilling.

Having been a part of this grassroots nonprofit’s growth for a dozen years now, I am so excited for its next chapter and mine as we go and grow together! We will celebrate Activate Good’s 20th anniversary with a big event on June 27, 2025. In these uncertain times it may be hard to spot the helpers, but I assure you they are rising up! I surely hope communities will set aside differences and join forces now more than ever, because life is too short for negativity and division, and our schools and nonprofits need all of us STAT.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Personally – First and foremost, I am a mom to three unique, awesome kids who are in middle school, high school, and unbelievably college! Balancing their busy schedules with mine has been a true balancing act, but together we have survived it, and they’re my biggest cheerleaders who’ve also grown to be great helpers! My husband is a Global HR Executive, and his schedule adds a layer of complexity to our days as we can all be passing ships at home, but together we have conquered the struggles we have faced throughout our careers and grown closer. We celebrate our 25th anniversary this year with kids that are soon to be 19, 17, and 13. While our careers are demanding, we strive to put family first.

Professionally – It’s no secret that the nonprofit sector is filled with struggles – funding, burnout, staff retention, capacity, digital divides, board engagement, volunteer engagement, public trust, negative perceptions, and…should I keep going? I’ve faced all of those, but challenges fuel my Type A personality to work harder. Our sector is in the midst of time like no other. I am hopeful that I can take some small steps to help drive a shift from competition to collaboration in this sector and use my voice to bring awareness. We have to stop working in silos, share resources, and build community. Our collective influence can create quite a ripple that could not only reach more people in need but also help to keep this scrappy, impactful nonprofit sector afloat in uncertain times.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I have learned that ultimately people want to help, but they don’t know how to plug in or haven’t determined what cause they’re passionate about, and that’s why my work and our mission is critical. I have also learned that service unites, and that has kept me going during trying times.

It is hard to see the world as a “glass is half full” person, because this world can seem so dark, and I am keenly aware of the sheer volume of needs that are going unmet every day. It’s a hard lesson to learn that positivity is the best path forward. I strive to not see this wild world with a “glass is half empty” lens and to encourage those around me to breathe and just take things one step at a time. That’s how a ripple effect of positive change and true impacts comes to fruition.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.activategood.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/activategood/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/activategood/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/activate-good/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@activategood