This month, our Community Newsletter features another new member of our leadership team: Solomon James, our operations steward. Solomon has responsibility for the many, many processes that keep New York Insight working: finance, operations, and the myriad details of running a meditation center. He’s also part of the leadership collective, helping to steer NYI in general.
NYI: You’ve had a rather unusual career path for a Dharma center professional. Can you tell folks about that? How do you think your previous work affects your work at NYI?
SJ: I actually reflect on this often — I have indeed had an unusual career path for a Dharma center professional. I spent nearly 20 years in investment banking and consulting before finding my way to the Dharma world. While I am forever grateful for the knowledge and experiences that I gained in the Finance world, the work always left me feeling quite unfulfilled. I knew I was destined to make an impact in a very different way, even if that path hadn’t shown itself yet. I left formal investment banking circa 2015, and while I still did some small business consulting primarily within the BIPOC community, this was a period of several years where I focused on exploring and deepening my practice — which eventually led me to NYI. I think that my previous experience has afforded me a really deep understanding of financial structures and organizational processes, which are skill sets that are truly needed in the nonprofit world — I am excited to offer my best to help support this wonderful organization.
NYI: Can you share a bit about your “New York Insight story”? How did you end up getting involved and now getting onto the leadership team?
SJ: My first contact with NYI was taking an MBSR course with Elaine Retholtz. I was at a place in my life where there seemed to be more questions than answers, and the intention was to find a class to help me along the path of embodiment and somatic practice. Little did I know that decision would alter my path so dramatically. I had volunteered to help support Elaine during the course, and upon completion not only had I learned much about myself and gained many practical tools and skills to help navigate life, but also realized that I truly enjoyed volunteering and supporting this wonderful community and its teachers. This led me to seeking other volunteer opportunities for programs at NYI, which eventually turned into a staff position supporting Operations. Through the grapevine it was learned that I had an extensive background in finance and banking, and the opportunity arose, first as Finance manager then as Finance and Operations Steward, for me to combine my professional background with my love for the NYI community.
NYI: What exactly is a “Finance and Operations Steward”? What do you do?
SJ: While I like to refer to our amazing Community Steward, Kathy Ferrara, as the heart of NYI, I would say that the Finance and Operations Steward is more of the plumbing and wiring that helps keep it functioning. My primary responsibilities are to provide oversight for the physical, financial, technological, and business operations of the organization. However, at the end of the day, much coordination and collaboration amongst all of our wonderful staff is required to keep NYI running smoothly.
NYI: What’s your favorite thing about our community?
SJ: I would say that my favorite thing about our community is the strength of our volunteers. There are so many volunteers within our community that eagerly step forward to support NYI in so many ways, it’s like nothing I have ever seen before. Everything from supporting a teacher on Zoom for a course, to graphic and web design, and even legal and commercial real estate consulting! Our community is filled with such talent and ability, and willingness to offer that to the Sangha, it truly makes my heart smile.
Join Solomon James and the rest of the New York Insight Staff, Teachers, Board of Directors and community on Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 from 2:00pm – 5:00pm ET, for a special Open House Event to celebrate the opening of NYI’s new spiritual home at 115 West 29th Street, 12th Floor in New York City. Click here for more info and to reserve your spot!