Answer extracted from The Boulos Beat: A Commercial Real Estate Podcast — listen to the full episode below.
What factors drive professionals to transition from business ownership in the private sector to nonprofit leadership roles?
The shift from private business ownership to nonprofit leadership is typically driven by a desire for deeper community connection, family proximity, and alignment with a personal mission. For Julie Gondzar, that meant leaving her thriving specialty coffee roastery in Wyoming to return to New England and support historic preservation efforts—a move anchored in family, legacy, and the opportunity to build relationships at a different scale.
Julie spent 18 years of her childhood coming to Scarborough and Portland, and that deep connection to New England was a primary motivator for the geographic move back to Maine. The decision wasn't solely about nostalgia; it was about creating a tangible sense of place for herself, her husband, and their daughter. Moving back to Maine meant proximity to family and the ability to put down roots in a real community rather than continuing to build a business in isolation.
Beyond family, Julie recognized that her background and skillset naturally translated to nonprofit development work. She had spent years building Snowy Elk Coffee Company—an award-winning specialty roastery she co-founded with her husband in 2017—where she handled sales, marketing, and business development. That experience in relationship-building, brand development, and scaling operations prepared her for the fundraising and stakeholder engagement required in the nonprofit sector, as detailed in the episode.
The final piece was a personal commitment to historic preservation in southern Maine. Julie's passion for preserving Portland's marine culture, working ports, and historic architecture gave her mission-driven work a clear purpose. She wasn't just looking for a new job; she was seeking alignment between her daily work and her values—something that required stepping out of the private sector into a cause she genuinely believed in.
"Success ultimately comes from collaboration. I believe that if you want a good result at the end of the day, collaboration is key."
Julie Gondzar — Director of Development, Greater Portland Landmarks. Julie joined Greater Portland Landmarks in January 2025 after relocating from Wyoming, where she had co-founded Snowy Elk Coffee Company and held extensive experience in both public and private sectors. Originally from New England, she holds a master's degree from Plymouth State University and brings a background in science, water management, and business development to her work championing historic preservation in Portland.
The collaborative philosophy reflected in her statement underscores why nonprofit work appealed to her—it inherently demands working with communities, donors, board members, and preservation advocates rather than operating within traditional business hierarchies. Greater Portland Landmarks, founded in 1964 following the demolition of Union Station, gave her a concrete platform for that mission-driven collaboration.
What's worth listening for in the full episode is how Julie discusses the specific properties Greater Portland Landmarks is working to preserve—from the Portland Observatory to the Safford House and the U.S. Custom House—and how urban renewal in the 1960s and 70s reshaped Portland's neighborhoods like Munjoy Hill and Bayside.
Key takeaways
- Family and community proximity often outweigh financial success as motivators for leaving private business ownership—Julie prioritized returning to New England over scaling her coffee company further.
- Prior business experience in sales, marketing, and relationship-building translates directly to nonprofit development roles, making career transitions natural for entrepreneurs with those skills.
- Mission alignment is a decisive factor; nonprofit work appeals when a professional's personal values and the organization's cause become inseparable.
- Geographic roots and childhood connection to a place can anchor major life decisions years later, especially when combined with family needs and professional purpose.