Fernando Chang-Muy

Name: Fernando Chang-Muy

Profession:  Academic, activist, and nonprofit management consultant

Education:  B.A., Loyola; M.A., Georgetown; J.D., Antioch

WOMEN’S WAY Volunteer History: I have been making small donations to WOMEN’S WAY for the last decade, and have also volunteered to facilitate some of the Capacity Building Technical Assistance workshops for the last five years.  The workshops aim to help raise awareness with WW non profit grantee leaders on how to strengthen key competencies of their organizations with a focus on areas such as the Board, staff, fundraising and marketing systems.

Connection to WOMEN’S WAY’ s Mission: As the son of a mother, as a father to a daughter, and as a friend to women – I hope that equality, safety, self-sufficiency, and reproductive freedom are a reality to the women who are my family and friends,  as well as to society at large.  WOMEN’S WAY grants to their nonprofits partners, all of whom strive for equality, safety, self-sufficiency, and reproductive freedom, is a mission I fully support.

Greatest Achievement: Adopting a child who was 10 months old, raising the child with my partner, and keeping her alive and thriving; and being in a relationship where we just celebrated 31 years!!

Favorite female author:  There are so many, this is an unfair and limiting question.

Mentor: My partner whose patience is saintly; our daughter who teaches us something everyday; my students throughout the years, whose energy and idealism are unparalleled; the nonprofits leaders I have known whose service to the community is priceless.

Greatest lesson learned: To be able to say, as Edith Piaf sang, “Je ne regrette rien.”

Favorite Restaurant: There are so many, this is an unfair and limiting question

Favorite Movie: It changes every year.

People you hope to meet: My parents who passed away.  I’d like to re-meet them to have conversations I didn’t have a chance to have.

Dream job:  This is truly a dream: where I work in a place where all staff get along and are nurturing of each other; where the Board is involved, engaged, knows the issues gives money and is respectful of the staff and clients; where the programs are transforming the lives of the people served; where money is not an issue; where financial management systems are clear and transparent; where marketing is in many languages, where Steve Jobs (RIP) and Bill Gates are on call to answer technology questions.

Life aspirations: To follow the prayer in the Dalai’s Lama’s Book Ethics for the New Millennium, 2001

May I become at all times, both now and forever
A protector for those without protection
A guide for those who have lost their way
A ship for those with oceans to cross
A bridge for those with rivers to cross
A sanctuary for those in danger
A lamp for those without light
A place of refuge for those who lack shelter
And a servant to all in need