In this interview Tenley Zinkey, a Former Fendi Executive, explains what motivated her to become a Volunteer Team Leader, and shares her experience and lessons from leading her first team in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas.
By Mindy Lull
When Tenley Zinke returned from her first service program on the Blackfeet Reservation in 2019, she knew that her journey with Global Volunteers was not over. Her experiences as a part of the community were unparalleled and left her craving more. “Although I had traveled extensively prior to that program, that was the first time that I was embedded in a community and was able to learn from firsthand accounts what everyday life is like for the local people, who invited us into their homes, schools, elder care facilities, sweat lodge, pow wow and the like. This is not possible as a tourist and cannot be imagined simply by reading a book. I wanted to return to the reservation and at the same time explore other parts of the world from a similar vantage point.”
Tenley could have served as a volunteer on any of the other 16 service programs offered by Global Volunteers, but instead, she chose a different route. “I was so impressed with the Team Leader on my first program, Dana Faust (Hoffman), who orchestrated all the moving parts so effectively, leaning into the deep relationships she had developed with the local people over the years to source valuable speakers and timely opportunities. I was inspired to put my leadership skills into practice while serving on programs that I knew would have a lasting impact, both within the community and on the volunteers.” Tenley decided to join Global Volunteers at Team Leader Training in 2022 to try her hand at leading teams.
“Although I had traveled extensively prior to that program, that was the first time that I was embedded in a community and was able to learn from firsthand accounts what everyday life is like for the local people, who invited us into their homes, schools, elder care facilities, sweat lodge, pow wow and the like. This is not possible as a tourist and cannot be imagined simply by reading a book. I wanted to return to the reservation and at the same time explore other parts of the world from a similar vantage point.”
Tenley Zinke
A good team leader needs to have the ability to organize teams and build relationships, and while formal leadership experience may not be required, Tenley came to us with experience in droves. For the previous five and a half years, she had been the Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Fendi, the Italian luxury fashion brand that dresses some of the world’s most famous and notable people. “My job entailed managing teams of people with different skills and strengths.” This experience would prove invaluable to being a Volunteer Team Leader. “A successful Volunteer Team Leader needs to facilitate conversations around team goals and characteristics of an effective team in addition to serving as a liaison with the local organizations and providing all the logistics for the volunteers, which means juggling these different responsibilities while adapting to the inevitable changes to the plans that arise in a world full of unpredictability.” In these areas, service programs may not be all that different from corporate relations. Tenley has also been responsible for developing corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs in her previous roles. She is excited by the growth of service opportunities at corporations and institutions and emphasizes how encouraging it is to see teams built and developed around participation in projects that give back.
Tenley chose the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas as her first program to lead. Why? “Immigration policy and the plight of migrants are in the news daily, and I wanted to see for myself what is happening at the border. Furthermore, there is great food insecurity and poor access to healthcare, transportation, education, and services as a result of government and industry policies and practices, and it was a privilege to meet and serve alongside some of the organizations and individuals who are champions for the underprivileged and unrepresented in the community and country.” Tenley’s draw to this program is the same that brought Global Volunteers to serve the community in and around San Juan, Texas. There is tremendous opportunity for our volunteers to work with local people to improve the lives of those who call the area home.
“The moments of epiphany that occur when getting a more granular understanding of challenges behind the issues we read about are what stay with me. What is someone who had no home and therefore no refrigerator or kitchen supposed to do with groceries that will spoil or need to be cooked in order to consume? It is not so obvious to a person who has never had to ask herself those questions.”
Tenley Zinke
The week of service brought challenges and rewards, but the insight gained stood above the rest for Tenley. “The moments of epiphany that occur when getting a more granular understanding of challenges behind the issues we read about are what stay with me. What is someone who had no home and therefore no refrigerator or kitchen supposed to do with groceries that will spoil or need to be cooked in order to consume? It is not so obvious to a person who has never had to ask herself those questions.”
Relationships built on the team also stand out in Tenley’s memories. “On the other end of the spectrum was the brilliant humor of the team that had us laughing at ourselves and each other as we navigated unfamiliar circumstances with people who were strangers only a week earlier, yet became fond friends in no time.”
Are you interested to gain this insight on border communities while building new friendships and giving your time to impact lives in the Rio Grande Valley? Join us in Texas!
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