Caring in Common: A Customer Spotlight on Kendra Byas Green

How long have you been working for your organization?

25 years.

What’s a typical day in your role like?

In my role, I oversee the processing of pledges and designations, payment collections and applications, designations distribution, and the e-Pledge and Andar/360 systems. So there is not a “typical” day as I get questions from internal staff on all of the above. Our corporate partners come to me with questions about pledges, payments, and e-Pledge. Our donors rely on me to answer questions about their accounts, and our vendors (whom we have outsourced our general accounting to) come to me with questions about Andar hosting and processing. When I’m not answering questions (or researching how to answer a question), I’m reviewing and updating processes, sharing knowledge, and learning new ways to use Andar/360 within our walls.

What motivates you to come to work every day?

My motivation comes from within. I’m a problem solver, and while my role can be challenging, it’s what keeps me going. And let’s not forget the fact that my work is helping to better the life of someone else in my community! What more can you ask for?

Above: Kendra has an immense appreciation for her team and admits that they are her left and right hands and wouldn't be able to do her job without them. From left to right are Kendra, Lawonda Stanfield, Laura Higgins, and Jose Alonso.

What’s your favorite aspect of your job?

I love sharing my knowledge with others and watching them grow in their use of Andar/360. I also love a challenge (when I have the resources to face it head-on), and in my world, there’s always a challenge that I’m trying to take on and conquer.

What are your biggest professional challenges?

Over the past two to three years, we’ve gone from being a Finance Team of fifteen members to a team of five members. Also, over the past eight months, we’ve outsourced our general accounting and our pledge and payment processing. All of these changes have been a huge adjustment for my team and I. While adjusting to our new norm, we still have to keep the day to day work of Donor Operations flowing while trying to learn this new way of working and continuing to train our vendors on the “United Way World” (how we work, what we do and what we need from them).

If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor? Can you tell us why?

Maggie Lena Walker. During the 1800s, this daughter of a former slave overcame many obstacles to become a teacher, begin a newspaper, open a highly successful bank, open a department store, and run for the seat of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Her accomplishments alone show her strength, courage, and bravery. She dared to break the race and gender barriers before it was the “it” thing to do.

What’s your personal mantra?

I have several, but here is one I will share, “Never stop doing your best just because someone doesn’t give you credit.”

Above: Kendra taking a selfie with her two sons and husband on their Christmas 2019 trip to Orlando.

Do you have hobbies outside of work? What are they?

My hobbies include event planning, traveling any chance I get, and spending as much time with the men in my life, which includes my two sons (the oldest is a Sergeant in the Army and the youngest is a high school sophomore) and my husband.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Watching reality TV and legal and medical dramas. While it can get a little wild from time to time, it also is a break from “real life,” which can become very stressful.

Caring in Common is a spotlight series that showcases different nonprofit professionals on the last Friday of each month. The goal is to highlight Andar Software customers from all walks of life, levels of experience, and areas of expertise. Their answers will inspire you, give you insight about the nonprofit industry, and motivate you on both a professional and personal level.