A Career’s Worth of Strategy, Reinvested: A Volunteer’s Experience

David Whitman retired from 3M in 2019 after about 30 years in healthcare. Six months later, he was restless.

“I was interested in using my existing skills, but I’m a constant learner, so I wanted to learn new skills,” he said.

Four project leadership roles and an On Demand project later, David has found both: a way to put decades of experience to work for nonprofits, while continuing to learn from each new project.

One of those projects was with Exodus Lending, a Twin Cities organization that helps people out of predatory loan debt. They had just merged with Minnesotans for Fair Lending, an advocacy organization, and needed to bring their two histories and missions together. David’s team worked with board, staff, and leadership to develop a unified mission, vision, and values.

David saw the project’s impact internally first, as staff and board members aligned around a shared direction. Eventually, Exodus Lending received a major Bush Foundation capacity-building grant. David believes the organization was better positioned to pursue this funding because staff and board had a clear, cohesive understanding of its mission and priorities.

“What I found really beneficial with Compass is that they truly offer a ‘project in a box’ for all the different service lines we have at Compass Pro Bono,” he said.

That structure is part of what works for David. Compass vets and scopes the project, assembles and prepares the team, and gives volunteers a clear starting point.

David also talks about how much he has learned from the people around him. He stays in touch with most of his past clients and describes the professionals he has worked with across four projects as colleagues and friends. “I’ve learned from them, and hopefully I’ve taught them a thing or two,” he said. He has also carried new skills back into his board work and his own consulting practice, including practical uses of AI picked up through Compass training.

“My favorite thing is probably [Compass Pro Bono’s] whole mission of connecting enthusiastic professionals — whether in their current careers or recently retired — to do something that matters to the community.” — David Whitman

David Whitman At a Glance

Four Compass projects led, plus an On Demand project completed for Twin Cities nonprofits
New skills, including practical uses of AI, applied in his own work
Lasting connections built with project teammates and staff
Volunteer experience that grew into board service

Compass Pro Bono Volunteers at a Glance