An Interview with Eleni Rossides

Meet Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman 2009 EXCEL Award Winner Eleni Rossides.

Eleni Rossides thought her seven-year career on the pro-tennis circuit was tough, until she took on the challenge of a lifetime, as executive director of the Washington Tennis and Education Foundation (WTEF). In addition to juggling a 50-plus member board of directors, a small staff and a large annual event, under Eleni’s leadership the group seeks to build a second tennis center with land and approval from the District Government.

As a board member told us, Eleni did not predict this recession, but she did prepare the organization just in case to position WTEF to succeed in every economy.

What does this award mean for you and your organization?
Eleni: This award means a great deal to me and WTEF. We are in the middle of a very exciting time for WTEF as we plan to build a new, tennis education and community center in Ward 7 of Washington, D.C. Validation of the strength of the organization and its leader will be very helpful as we continue to execute plans to build the center to help the neediest children of the District and raise the funds to do so.

What advice would you offer for other nonprofit executive directors?
Eleni: The EXCEL Award process has been an extremely helpful one to go through. Thinking through how one leads an organization and what leadership means to one’s organization is a very important process. It is important to take a step back and think through one’s strengths and weaknesses and where one would like to improve. I am thankful for this process and the award which enabled me to take the time to go through it.