Connecting Passion with Opportunity: Elena Hein’s Job Search Success Story
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Elena Hein, Director of Development at The Red Door Project, has built a career at the intersection of nonprofit fund development and community engagement. After years of cultivating relationships and contributing to meaningful missions, Elena faced an unexpected career shift when her previous employer closed.
Through persistence, strategic networking, and leveraging her education and alumni resources, she found her way to The Red Door Project, where she now helps bridge divides through narrative art and fosters understanding across communities.
What do you do for a career? Who do you work for?
My career is centered on nonprofit fund development and grantmaking. My role at The Red Door Project is to create and strengthen connections with supporters and community members, securing vital resources to advance our mission. The Red Door Project’s mission is to use the power of narrative art to bridge divides. We envision unified communities where deep listening and constructive dialogue transform social tensions into resilience.
What do you like best about your career?
I have the privilege of working alongside passionate people and cultivating a sense of community around an issue I care deeply about. I take pride in contributing directly to an organization’s mission and my ability to make a positive impact. I enjoy finding ways to connect with people and create opportunities for them to support the vision they believe in. Further, I am excited to help organizations elevate their fundraising efforts, meeting today’s challenges with hope and resilience.
What resources have helped you in your career and your job searches? Are there specific tools or tactics that have contributed to your success?
My network has always been my most valuable resource. Nearly two-thirds of the roles I’ve held since graduating from college were secured through personal connections. It certainly helps that I have lived in the same city for 25 years and know many people here! Fostering authentic relationships is one of my superpowers. I enjoy meeting new people and finding ways to connect, which is helpful when it’s time to look for a new job.
Throughout your career, what obstacles have you encountered when doing a job search, and how did you overcome them?
Facing an Unexpected Layoff
When my former employer closed the school last year and I was laid off, I embraced the chance to make a career shift. I had earned my master’s in public administration a while back and was eager to join the public sector. However, I wasn’t exactly sure how to make the transition. I didn’t have many contacts in government agencies, and the conversations I had with the people I knew often led to people asking why I wanted to work in government. They talked about how challenging the bureaucracy was and even envied the freedom I enjoyed in the nonprofit sector.
Exploring a New Career Path
Initially, I was determined to make the transition anyway. I wanted to challenge myself in a new role and support the community from the other side of the grant-making table. I was already gaining experience through my membership in ninety-nine girlfriends (a collective grant-making organization) and by serving on its grants steering committee. With more time on my hands, I decided to expand my network and joined a grant review team and the racial equity team.
In the meantime, I was submitting job applications to local and state agencies, but I wasn’t gaining much traction. My presentation on LinkedIn and in my applications didn’t seem to resonate with recruiters.
The Power of Networking and Career Support
A friend from the racial equity committee reminded me of the power of mobilizing my network. She encouraged me to pursue informational interviews and reach out to my alma mater for career services. Portland State University, where I earned my master’s, offered invaluable alumni support, and my career coach provided insightful guidance. She helped me refine my materials, pointing out the misalignment of my LinkedIn profile with the roles I sought. I realized I had been pursuing a broad range of positions rather than focusing my search.
She also invited me to attend the PSU career fair. Initially, I thought it wouldn’t make sense to go because it was more suited for recent graduates. She reminded me that it was an opportunity to meet recruiters who would also be aware of mid- and senior-level positions in their agencies. She was right. I attended the fair and made valuable connections at several local agencies.
Adjusting Plans Amid Changing Circumstances
Midway through this journey, the political landscape shifted dramatically, reshaping the federal government and affecting many jobs, while the nonprofit sector faced uncertainty with many federal grants rescinded. Inspired by conversations with those still in the public sector, I reconsidered my timeline for making a career shift in 2025.
Then I discovered an opportunity with The Red Door Project and felt compelled to pursue it. I was moved by the mission to facilitate dialogue between people on opposite sides of a polarizing issue — not for agreement but for understanding. At this moment in history, this is the progress we desperately need, and I am here to be part of this important work.
What piece of advice would you give to job seekers or professionals trying to advance in their careers?
Build your network by cultivating relationships. Consider working with a career coach and be intentional about setting up informational interviews. Always follow up with a thank-you message to express your gratitude for their time. Keep in touch and provide updates on your progress. Connect with fellow alumni who are in your desired sector.
If you live in the Portland area and are interested in the nonprofit field, attend a Gather event. Also, check if your alma mater offers career support services. Keep an open mind about your career pursuits. Sometimes it makes sense to shift your direction. Remember, persistence is key — don’t give up!
Everyone’s job search story is different, but each individual story can inspire and empower others who are on their own unique path. We love to hear how our readers have found rewarding careers in Portland, and we want to share these stories with you to inspire you in your job search and to help us all better understand the local job market.