We talked to executive director Traci Lester about overseeing this important, inclusive non-profit.

I have over 28 years of experience in the nonprofit sector.

Ive worked with nonprofit organizations both here on the East Coast and in California.

I started my career fresh out of college as a journalist and reporter in San Jose, California.

Not long thereafter I entered the nonprofit sector and Ive never looked back.

My focus has always been supporting the needs of children and their families.

What are your job responsibilities?

I am the executive director and administrative leader at National Dance Institute, a premier arts education organization.

Take us through a recent workday.

I attempt to eat something before I head out the door, which is hard when you have children.

Protein is keysuch as yogurt, almonds and fruit.

I prefer the morning for meetings to ground the day.

Sometimes I head first to a National Dance Institute partner school to view our program in action.

I have standing weekly team meetings that happen on various days throughout the week.

My work day usually ends between 6-7 p.m. unless I have evening events or after work affairs.

What apps, gadgets, or tools cant you live without?

I cant live without my wireless Bose earphones.

I can speak on the phone while multitasking, walking or running to meetings (or even exercising).

While I also use Google Docs, I am moving towardAsanaas a data management program.

Whats your workspace setup like?

We work in an open office environment and there is a lot of cross collaboration and information sharing.

I only travel with my laptop outside of the office, so its almost never on my desk.

Whats your favorite shortcut or hack?

Theres nothing more satisfying than checking off items on my list.

Take us through an interesting, unusual, or finicky process you have in place at work.

A 15-minute meeting saves time on the back end when we need everyone on the same page.

No executive director is successful without the people around them.

I collaborate across teams and departments daily.

Whats the biggest mistake youve made at work, and how did you deal with it?

One strategy I have for managing my communications is emailing myself.

When I have a particularly complex or sensitive email, I will always email it to myself first.

How do you keep track of what you have to do?

I use Google Calendars, and Google Docs, as well as an old style small notebook.

Sometimes you just cant beat finding something quickly when its written down in a small notebook.

How do you recharge or take a break?

Running is my way of recharging.

Ive run 15 marathons and over 30 half marathons.

I spend countless hours running.

Not only is it for my health and well-being, its both a meditative experience and a social one.

Whats your favorite side project?

My favorite side project is helping my daughter to become the best person she can be.

What are you currently reading, or what do you recommend?

I belong to a book group of amazing women and we are reading Ta-Nehisi CoatessThe Water Dancer.

Can you share a music playlist youve made, whether for working or elsewhere?

My father passed away recently and he was a jazz saxophonist.

Ive also been really enjoying listening to Lizzo (Melissa Viviane Jefferson)lately.

I appreciate her commitment to the flute and live music.

Who else would you like to see answer these questions?

Hes a true social justice warrior and I have so much respect for his work.

Whats the best advice youve ever received?

The best advice Ive ever received is dont be humble.

Whats a problem youre still trying to solve?

One problem that Im trying to solve is how to get enough sleep.