Community Fellows Blog Posts

Stepping onto the campus of the Diocese of San Jose as a Community Fellow was my first  experience applying the strategic frameworks of the business school curriculum to the world of  faith-based social impact. As a Financial Analyst Intern, I came in expecting to focus solely on  spreadsheets and budget analysis across the Diocese’s network of over 100 parishes and  ministries. However, my initial weeks have quickly shown me that the role is far more  interconnected than I anticipated. Sitting in on finance meetings, I'm not just seeing numbers roll  up to a diocesan level; I'm observing the intricate process of how financial resources are  meticulously allocated to support a vast range of essential outreach and mission-based programs  across Santa Clara County. 

The most profound surprise has been discovering the direct, palpable link between rigorous  financial planning and effective community service. In business school, we talk about  maximizing shareholder value; here, the goal is maximizing human and community impact. I’m  learning that ethical decision making and data driven choices are the core of faith-based finance,  ensuring that every dollar spent helps programs serve more people effectively, from social justice initiatives to educational support. My supervisor has challenged me to not just track the accuracy of my analysis, but to actively reflect on how that analysis supports the overarching mission. 

Beyond the numbers, my role is proving to be an intense lesson in communication and  collaboration. A core part of my fellowship involves learning how to translate complex financial  concepts and reports to non-finance staff; the people who are on the front lines of community  service. This requires adding context and empathy to the data, which is a skill I wouldn't  typically hone in a traditional finance internship. I hope to contribute by not just providing  accurate data, but by making that data a clear, accessible tool for our non-finance colleagues. My goal is to bridge the gap between financial strategy and community action, empowering every  ministry to make the most informed and impactful decisions possible. 

Looking ahead, I am eager to contribute to the Diocese of San Jose by developing analytical  skills related to Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and investigating how modern tools, like AI,  could help review performance trends to enhance efficiency and reach. This fellowship is a  unique opportunity to see how the business acumen I’m developing can be the essential  foundation for building a resilient and ethical community. I have learned that sound finance is  not the goal, but the powerful tool that truly enables us to serve and support our community.

1283988