With nearly 44 years of public administration experience, Bertha Henry knows the kind of leadership it takes to shape a brighter future for her community.
As Broward County’s top executive officer for nearly 15 years, she managed a $6 billion budget, directed more than 7,000 employees and oversaw more than 60 county agencies – including Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Port Everglades and Broward’s convention and visitors bureau.
Now Bertha serves on the Community Foundation of Broward’s Board of Directors, which includes 21 innovative executives and dedicated community leaders who volunteer their time to guide our leadership and grantmaking.
Recently Bertha sat down with us to share her insights about leadership, overcoming challenges and the importance of giving back to the community.
After years of leading Broward County government, why are you now volunteering as a Community Foundation of Broward Board Member?
“As a native South Floridian, I have seen many changes in our region – particularly Broward County – over the decades. As a former county administrator, I can attest that such growth would not be possible without partnerships; partnerships between government, businesses and the not- for-profit community, like the Community Foundation.”
“Community Foundation donors are incredibly generous. They support a wide
array of services and programs that are integral to making a community healthy
and prosperous.”
“My Board colleagues are incredibly talented. They work extremely hard, very committed to the community. We are diverse, enjoy working together and we actually have a lot of fun.”
“The staff is awesome. They are dedicated, smart and they keep their ear to the ground. Their mission is to identify current and emerging challenges that Broward faces. Their use of streamlined processes and procedures and donor and Board communications keep us nimble and at the forefront of problems that arise.”
What are your goals for the Community Foundation?
“My goal as a Board member is to continue the progress of the Foundation. I want to amplify the generous spirit of giving by African Americans and other minorities in our community. I want to see the size of the Foundation’s endowed funds grow to help us meet the challenges of affordable housing and the effects of climate change as they become more of a serious threat to our community.”
“I want to make sure our community members know that their generous support for things that they care about – be it arts, culture, the elderly, animals, you name it – can survive for a lifetime and actually live on in perpetuity by partnering with the Community Foundation.”
Support for Racial Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is one of the Community Foundation’s focus areas. How have these issues affected your life and leadership efforts?
“Things tend to intersect in a way that shapes your interests and skills.”
“One of the challenges I had to overcome was working through the noise of perceived inferiority. … It probably began in junior high. My English teacher, who went on to become famous in her own right, was a hippy and prepared us for what we could expect as a Black child (in the late 1960s) moving into adulthood. She encouraged us to read, encouraged curiosity and placed a lot of emphasis on our self-esteem.”
“During my freshman year at Florida State University, I experienced my first series of racial discrimination events, and I was well prepared to deal with them. One of the most pernicious incidents I recall was someone jamming the lock to my dorm room such that my roommate and I could not exit, and writing ‘N***** Go Home’ on our door. My preparation taught me to confront the issue with confidence and have a keen sense of who I was. I did so and the subsequent instances, even those I challenged through the campus court process, were a piece of cake.”
“A guidance counselor said I was good in math, therefore accounting would be a good major. This placed me in the school of business at Florida State. While I was challenged by the courses and did well, I was bored. I was very much interested in the Civil Rights Movement and joined campus organizations such as the Black Student Union, which is where I began to understand that you have to change the system from the inside. I changed my major to public policy – government. … I attended graduate school and majored in Public Administration, with a concentration in Finance and Administration – continuing to use my math and analytical skills.”
Looking back on what you went through, what advice would you give to your younger self that may also be helpful to today’s young people?
“Reaffirm that it was a good thing to be you. Going against the grain with confidence (not recklessly) can be your superpower.”
“Reaffirm that fighting injustices at times can be lonely and isolating, but with good intentions you will succeed.”
“Forge your own path, following your gut. Spend more time on your own economic future.”
Leadership is an important part of the Community Foundation’s mission. What skills are important for effective community leaders?
“Empathy, flexibility, multitasking and being in a constant state of learning. Communication!”
“When hiring team members, I look for people smarter than me. A diverse team. Different perspectives. Confidence backed by skills and the ability to work with others.”
What advice would you give students aspiring to be leaders to help them achieve success?
“Take a debate class, a communications course, including writing.”
“Go beyond your academic pursuits. Do it for you. Volunteer. Not everything is about the money. You get repaid when you least expect it, nor is it always transparent to you. You never know who is watching you and learning from your example.”
“Help someone. It makes you feel good and, when you least expect it, that person could be a transformative person in your life.”
How should the Community Foundation and other Broward leaders approach big challenges as we seek to change our community for the better?
“Head on. Start early. No surprises.”
“Each of us could look into the future to guide our actions in the NOW. … The NOW zaps a lot of energy that should not detract us from planning for the future.”
“It’s important to incorporate sustainability in everything we do … taking the time to understand the impact of our decisions on those affected. ‘Nothing about me, without me.’”
Let's talk about how you can partner with the Community Foundation to create a lasting impact through local philanthropy. Contact Kelly Marmol, Vice President of Philanthropic Services, at kmarmol@cfbroward.org or 954-761-9503.
