Inclusion Should Be an Expectation: Interview with Briana Marbury, CEO of the Interledger Foundation

I recently went one-on-one with Briana Marbury, CEO of the Interledger Foundation.

Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. How did you get here? What experiences, failures, setbacks, or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth?

Briana: From the beginning of my career, I’ve always been drawn to mission-driven organizations that attempt to move the needle of equity toward the middle.  Initially, when I graduated with my undergrad in accounting and MBA, I was pretty confident I would join a large corporation or one of the big 4 accounting firms and work my way up to partner.  However, my trajectory was altered fairly quickly when I started my first role as an accountant.  I soon realized that it was not enough to be good at my particular job; I wanted to be a part of an organization that was doing more than increasing its stock price and making money for the shareholders. That’s when I transitioned to the nonprofit world. 

I suppose I don’t take a stance of considering any situation as a failure or setback. If there’s a case where a project did not go as expected, I know what pitfalls to avoid and where to pivot should the circumstances align again.

Adam: What are the best leadership lessons you have learned from leading a nonprofit organization?

Briana: Working at a nonprofit means you are most likely leading a team of people who are passionate about the organization’s mission and values. I have learned to harness the power of people's desire for change while simultaneously supporting them with structures that realize their vision. My aim is always to inspire people and show them that change is possible. You need a mix of passion and organizational excellence in equal measures to achieve that change. This can be challenging at times - but leadership in nonprofits is about long-term sustainability, and that's the best way I can support the people I work with and for. 

Adam: What are your best tips for fellow leaders of nonprofit organizations?

Briana: Leading a nonprofit does not mean you do not have the same requirements as running any large organization. You must ensure the operations are airtight, execute on actionable and impactful objectives, and deliver results. My best tip is to remember that a robust infrastructure is integral to success. Everyone in the organization needs to be clear on their purpose and their role in the overarching vision. Good intentions are a fantastic starting point, but strong leadership means making difficult decisions to ensure the mission is fulfilled.  At the end of the day, it must be understood you are all working for the people who benefit from the work you are delivering. 

Adam: In your experience, what are the defining qualities of an effective leader? How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level?

Briana: In order to be an effective leader, you need to be open to feedback even when it's difficult to hear, and you have to accept you won’t always have the answers. You must embody a willingness to learn, adapt, and evolve.  At every level of the organization, managers should always value a range of perspectives and recognize contributions from people across the company. Over the span of my career, I have witnessed innovative ideas be overlooked because they did not come from the “expert.” Recognizing useful contributions, whomever they come from, is pertinent. If you are giving feedback to people, be willing to take it and act on it yourself; lead by example. 

Adam: What are your best tips applicable to entrepreneurs, executives, and civic leaders?

Briana: Inclusion should be an expectation, not an invitation. Every leader in every field benefits from ensuring inclusivity is woven into the DNA of their organization, it is proven across the board that genuinely inclusive organizations perform better. 

Have a clear plan, but don't be afraid to change it. We all need a plan, but also we live in volatile environments and unpredictable markets. Leadership is about assimilating the information available and adapting accordingly, even if it means pivoting and changing your plans. 

Adam: What is your best advice on building, leading, and managing teams?

Briana: The best teams are built with people with different perspectives, lived experiences, and working practices. We achieve better results by constructively challenging each other. This requires a strong management culture that creates an environment where people can share their views but are supported when a different course of action is taken. 

Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?

Briana: Believe in yourself, because if you don't, how will anyone else? Getting your first job as a leader can feel overwhelming, however, you must remember that you are there for a reason. To inspire others, you must first have confidence in your own abilities. This doesn't mean you have to be perfect or expect you will always get it right, but you must be open to listening, changing, and modeling the behaviors you want to see within the organization. Authenticity always shines through. 

Adam: What can anyone do to pay it forward?

When you become a leader, you run the risk of becoming disconnected from the operational aspects of the organization. One of the best ways to pay it forward is to stay connected to the front-line work of your organization, be respectful, and make time to get to know people. Being generous with your time is essential to staying grounded and connected. You can pay it forward by supporting others in their career journeys. 

Adam: Is there anything else you would like to share?

Briana: Rarely do people in leadership think they 'deserve' the role, most people have been given encouragement by someone who has seen something in them they didn't see in themselves. This is certainly true for me, and I remain thankful for the people who gave me their time and trusted me with their belief. I hope to do the same for others. 


Adam Mendler is an entrepreneur, writer, speaker, educator, and nationally-recognized authority on leadership. Adam is the creator and host of the business and leadership podcast Thirty Minute Mentors, where he goes one on one with America's most successful people - Fortune 500 CEOs, founders of household name companies, Hall of Fame and Olympic gold medal-winning athletes, political and military leaders - for intimate half-hour conversations each week. A top leadership speaker, Adam draws upon his insights building and leading businesses and interviewing hundreds of America's top leaders as a top keynote speaker to businesses, universities, and non-profit organizations. Adam has written extensively on leadership and related topics, having authored over 70 articles published in major media outlets including Forbes, Inc. and HuffPost, and has conducted more than 500 one on one interviews with America’s top leaders through his collective media projects. Adam teaches graduate-level courses on leadership at UCLA and is an advisor to numerous companies and leaders. A Los Angeles native, Adam is a lifelong Angels fan and an avid backgammon player.

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