Meet Elle Benson | CEO, Author, & Keynote Speaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elle Benson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elle, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?

At Nonprofit Leadership LLC, I’m committed to helping nonprofit organizations thrive and make a greater impact in their communities. With my extensive experience and expertise, I provide consultancy services in various areas including organizational development, human resources, evaluation, board governance, and executive recruiting. My goal is to empower nonprofits to transition to greater effectiveness and sustainability.

Through consultation, training, and keynote speaking, I empower nonprofit leaders and staff with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate challenges and achieve their goals. I also focus on supporting the nonprofit workforce by promoting organizational culture, benefits, and work-life balance. By creating supportive environments, I help nonprofit professionals thrive, contributing to the sector’s resilience and effectiveness.

Moreover, my team and I have facilitated job discovery for hundreds of individuals, aligning their passions with opportunities within the nonprofit sector. This not only enhances personal fulfillment but also strengthens the capacity of nonprofits to fulfill their missions.

Nonprofit Leadership LLC plays a crucial role in building stronger communities through strategic leadership, capacity building, and support for the nonprofit sector. My dedication to promoting impact ensures that nonprofits are well-equipped to address the most pressing challenges facing their communities.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I believe that you have to embody the advice that you give others; it’s easier said than done. My hypothesis is that novelty (doing new things and trying things differently) is a short-cut to happiness. To do something for the first-time requires vulnerability and bravery. I, like many others, can get comfortable taking the easy route.

However, before I can wholeheartedly promote novelty to others, I must take my own advice. In 2024, I have challenged myself to do something novel every single day. I have accomplished over 200 unique activities both large and small. It may be trying a new coffee shop, genre of literature, or as big as taking a nude drawing class (I didn’t know there would be nudity until I arrived).

My research extends to others as well, I host monthly novelty labs in Nashville, TN. These interventions are being studied by Belmont University for their impact on happiness. Participants register to participate in a fun and unique event without knowing the details, thereby reducing their expectations and hopefully maximizing their happiness from the event.

What I can deduce so far is that when we open our mind and heart to new things, we make room for new thinking and space for love. I get asked, “why do you study happiness?” I can’t imagine a more impactful gift that I can give to the world, a deeper understanding of happiness and how to share it with others.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

I’ve lived in Nashville for 2.5 years now but still want (and hopefully always will) live like a tourist. I subscribe to all the evets to always know what’s happening. An ideal day for me would be getting a pineapple latte from Frothy Monkey before heading over the to the Dragon Park (Fannie Mae) with the kiddos. We’d then explore the Richland Park Farmer’s Market or swim at the SoHo pool. While the kids nap, I’m hopefully catching up with friends or meeting a new person at lunch at International Market (their lettuce wrap is incredible). I’d then grab drink at the L&L on Charlotte and take the family on a bike ride around Shelby Bottom Nature Center with dinner then at Red Pepper nearby and obviously Jeni’s ice cream after. My husband and I may get a babysitter and enjoy a show at the Brooklyn Bowl with drinks at LeLoup afterwards.

My ideal day includes incredible local Nashville food, parks, and more food.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

I am where I am today because of the research and dedication of psychologists and research professors dedicating to advancing the field and study of happiness. I am both a student and researcher of happiness and applaud those committed to unveiling the science of happiness, by studying the thoughts, actions, and behaviors that equip individuals for optimal joy. I’m a fangirl of Sonja Lyubomirsky, Martin Seligman, Brene Brown, Kindra Hall, David Robson, Annie Downs, Scott Shigeoka, Rob walker, and Catherine Price, and SO many other incredible people dedicating their time and passion to the larger body of research.

Website: https://www.ellebenson.com/ and https://www.nonprofit-leadership.com/

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/cultivateyourhappiness

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellebenson/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuZ7GInQxn_6x198eZmtGBQWiNwwkbL7L

Image Credits
Clara Henk
University of Tennessee
21st Mortgage