"Taking time for your inner work is not indulgence or distraction. It's a radical return to your power."

Burnout and secondary trauma are widespread among leaders and executives in social justice-focused nonprofits due to the emotionally intense nature of the work, chronic under-resourcing, and systemic challenges. While exact statistics vary, here are some key data points and trends from recent studies and surveys:

Two women engaged in a serious conversation at a table.

Burnout in Nonprofit Leaders

  • 75% of nonprofit leaders report feeling burned out, with many considering leaving the sector entirely (CompassPoint & Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, Daring to Lead report).
  • In a 2021 Nonprofit Leadership Survey by the Center for Effective Philanthropy:
  • 57% of nonprofit CEOs said their emotional well-being was worse than before the pandemic.
  • 43% said they were considering stepping down in the next 2–5 years due to burnout and lack of support.
  • 63% of nonprofit staff, including leadership, report experiencing emotional exhaustion as a result of their work (Nonprofit HR 2022).

Secondary Trauma and Compassion Fatigue

  • Leaders in social justice nonprofits, especially those working with communities impacted by trauma, face secondary traumatic stress (STS) — emotional distress resulting from hearing about the firsthand trauma experiences of others.
  • A 2015 study in the Journal of Social Service Research found:
  • 39% of social workers in leadership positions experienced moderate to high levels of secondary trauma.
  • A 2020 study by the National Council of Nonprofits found:
  • Nonprofit leaders in fields like anti-trafficking, domestic violence, and youth justice face compounded stress from mission-driven urgency, identity-based work, and witnessing systemic injustice.
Two women engaged in a friendly conversation while seated comfortably.

Organizational Impact

  • Burned out leaders are more likely to leave their roles, leading to:
  • High turnover rates (up to 45% among executive directors in small to mid-sized nonprofits).
  • Disrupted organizational continuity and strategy.
  • Boards often fail to recognize or respond to executive burnout until there is a crisis or resignation.

Identity-Based and Justice Work Intensifies Risk

  • Leaders of color and those in equity-driven work report disproportionate burnout:
  • BIPOC leaders often experience racialized trauma and isolation in leadership roles.
  • A 2022 Race to Lead report noted that 70% of BIPOC leaders felt greater pressure to represent their communities, increasing emotional burden.
Two colleagues smiling and chatting across a table in a modern office.

Common Causes of Burnout & Trauma:

Lack of boundaries between personal values and professional mission.

Chronic underfunding and overwork.

High exposure to trauma narratives without adequate support.

Responsibility for staff well-being and organizational sustainability without structural backing.

Coaching Offerings:

  • Regenerative Leadership Coaching (1:1)
    A 3- or 6-month journey of deep reflection, strategy, and personal renewal. Tailored to your leadership goals, life transitions, and energy needs.
  • Vision + Impact Intensive
    A focused 90-minute session to clarify what’s next, realign priorities, or get unstuck with a compassionate guide by your side.
  • Leadership Retreats + Circles (Coming Soon)
    Intimate, nourishing spaces for group healing, visioning, and grounded restoration.
Let’s Talk — Schedule a Discovery Call
A woman leading a discussion with three seated participants in a bright room.

You Were Never Meant to Do This Alone.

There’s a more sustainable way to lead. One that is rooted in you — and rises with the world.
Book your free discovery call today, and let’s begin the return to yourself.

Book a Discovery Call