Executive Director

B The Light Mission

B the Light is a 501(c)3, started in 2016 by breast cancer survivor Amber Melby of New Ulm MN. Amber founded this organization to pay forward all the love and light shown to her on her cancer journey. Since 2016, B the Light has expanded beyond New Ulm to Mankato and neighboring Southern Minnesota communities. Featuring six active programs, B the Light seeks to bring support, connection, and hope to breast cancer survivors, their caregivers, and families.

The Executive Director (ED) provides overall leadership and management for B The Light, advancing the mission, strengthening operations, and ensuring financial sustainability. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED is responsible for day‑to‑day leadership, staff and volunteer supervision, fundraising, community relationships, and program oversight in both the Mankato and New Ulm communities.

The Executive Director also serves as the public face of B The Light and is expected to lead in a manner consistent with its founding values, exercising sound judgment in all public communications, including personal social media, to protect the organization’s reputation, unity, and trust within the broader community. This is a hands‑on leadership role well‑suited for a collaborative, mission‑centered leader who balances strategy with execution.

• Lead B The Light in alignment with its mission, values, and strategic priorities.
• Honor the founding vision while supporting organizational growth.
• Serve as the primary liaison to the Board, supporting governance, planning, and decision‑making.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and mission‑driven organizational culture.

• Oversee day‑to‑day operations in both New Ulm and Mankato.
• Ensure programs are delivered with quality, consistency, and responsiveness, attending all survivor gatherings or designating an appropriate organizational representative. Please note that some programming takes place outside of normal work hours.
• Supervise and support staff and volunteers; recruit, onboard, and evaluate regularly.
• Maintain systems and processes appropriate for a small but growing organization.

• Work in partnership with the Treasurer and Board to develop the annual operating budget and manage to it effectively.
• Monitor financial performance and provide regular updates to the Board.
• Ensure financial controls are in place and ongoing compliance with legal requirements.
• Identify and implement opportunities to strengthen financial sustainability and operational efficiency.
• Support the organization’s long‑term fiscal health through sound stewardship and reserve management.

• Develop and lead implementation of a comprehensive fundraising plan with a focus on those strategies with the highest potential ROI.
• Build and steward relationships with donors, funders, and sponsors to engage new supporters, retain and upgrade existing donors, and expand philanthropic support from individuals, companies, and foundations.
• Personally manage a portfolio of major individual donors, cultivating relationships and securing major gifts as a central component of B Light’s fundraising strategy.
• Engage and support the Board in high‑value fundraising activities to meet B Light’s need for charitable support.
• Maintain clear communication of impact and outcomes to supporters.

• Represent B The Light within the New Ulm and Mankato communities.
• Build relationships with service partners, stakeholders, and referral sources.
• Serve as a visible and trusted ambassador for the organization.

• Strong alignment with B The Light’s mission and values.
• Progressive leadership experience in a nonprofit or mission‑driven organization; small nonprofit experience preferred.
• Experience with fundraising, budgeting, and financial oversight.
• Proven ability to collaborate with boards, staff, and community partners.
• Strong communication, relationship‑building, and organizational skills.
• Comfortable operating in a hands‑on,…