I am grateful for the opportunity to be a guest on the Journey to Licensure ® podcast hosted by Shara Ruffin.
From Shara Ruffin on LinkedIn:
“Social work doesn’t have to mean burnout, low pay, or narrow options. It can mean freedom, leadership, and legacy and Nicki Sanders, MSW is living proof.
Nicki is the Founder and CEO of Nicki Sanders Leadership Consulting, where she focuses on career development, professional growth, and organizational development all while centering BIPOC communities and advancing racial and gender equity.
She joined me on The Journey to Licensure ®️ Podcast to talk about the expansiveness of social work, shifting mindsets, and what it really takes to build a fulfilling career on your own terms.
With over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, community engagement, and program development, Nicki brings a wealth of wisdom—especially for those navigating multigenerational leadership, public health, and social justice work.
She’s also a fractional COO, career coach, adjunct professor, and internship coordinator helping the next generation of social workers find their voice and build careers they actually love.
One of my favorite things she said was:
“We can all social work differently.”
Whether you’re micro, macro, or somewhere in between licensed or not this episode is for you if:
🔹 You’ve ever felt boxed in by the title “social worker”
🔹 You’re craving a career shift but unsure what’s possible
🔹 You want to learn how to pivot with purpose
🎙️ Catch the full conversation now on The Journey to Licensure ®️ Podcast LINK HERE. Bring your tea, coffee, or lavender latte (👀) and take notes—you’re gonna want to replay this one.
Nicki, thank you for sharing your fire, your story, and your vision for what social work can look like when we lead from clarity, community, and care. hashtagsocialworkers hashtagshararuffin hashtagjourneytolicensure ”
I am committed to sharing my social work journey and offering insight and information to help other social workers at every stage of their career build a long-term, successful career that they love and on their own terms. Schedule a 20-minute consultation and let’s discuss the best ways to work together.
Nicki Sanders, MSW, is committed to career development, professional development, and organizational development. As Founder and CEO of Nicki Sanders Leadership Consulting, her mission is simple – to eliminate toxic workplaces by developing skilled, empathetic, and goal-oriented leaders who have the vision, support, and resources to create a culture where business prospers, and employees thrive individually and collectively. Nicki has an extensive background in nonprofit management leading high-functioning, multi-disciplinary teams, volunteer recruitment and retention, and social impact programming. She is a thought leader dedicated to dismantling the outdated, narrow view of social work and an accomplished professor, coach, trainer, and group facilitator who has combined her gift for authentic relationships, Master of Social Work degree, and over 20 years of diverse work experience to create a life and career aligned with her values and purpose. She is a lover of nature, cupcakes, travel, and 80’s hip hop and R&B music.
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