Biography

Mindy Binderman has served as the Executive Director of GEEARS: Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students since its founding in 2010. Mindy has had an extensive career in advocacy and government relations for nonprofits and corporations in Maryland and Georgia. She served as Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs for the Baltimore Jewish Council and as Vice President of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood of Maryland before establishing her own successful lobbying firm based in Annapolis, Maryland in 1999. Prior to coming to GEEARS, Mindy served as the Advocacy Director of Voices for Georgia’s Children from 2007-2010. 

A committed community volunteer, Mindy serves as the Vice chair of the Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta. She is a member of the Georgia Children’s Cabinet, the Atlanta Speech School Board of Advisors, and the Learn4Life Leadership Council. She is a proud member of Leadership Atlanta’s class of 2012.. In 2022, she was given the Sheroes Award by the National Council of Jewish Women. 

Mindy received her BA from Newcomb College, Tulane University, and her JD from the American University’s Washington College of Law. A lifelong learner, she completed the Harvard Business School’s Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management Program in 2015, and she received an Executive Certificate in Facilitation from the Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies in 2021. 

Mindy Binderman: Candidate Statement 1
Mindy Binderman: Candidate Statement 2

Briefly describe your relevant experience in governance and your understanding of fiduciary duties and fiscal responsibilities. How have you applied these principles in previous positions or organizations, and how do you plan to contribute to the effectiveness and financial stewardship of our Board? 

Good governance and sound financial stewardship are crucial for maintaining trust, ensuring accountability, and achieving sustainability. I appreciate the importance of governance and the roles of board members from my experiences as a seasoned nonprofit executive director and an experienced board member.   

I was a board member of Maryland Nonprofits (2002-2006) and served as an advisory board member and evaluator for their Standards for Excellence program. This program helps nonprofits achieve high standards in governance, management, and operations by meeting benchmarks in areas such as Mission, Strategy, and Evaluation; Leadership; Legal Compliance and Ethics; Finance and Operations; Resource Development; and Public Awareness. As an evaluator, I reviewed nonprofit portfolios to ensure standards were met, deepening my understanding of what differentiates strong nonprofits and what constitutes excellence in the field. 

My formal academic training in governance and fiscal responsibility came through the University of Georgia’s Executive Leadership for Nonprofit Organizations certificate program. This intensive, week-long program, taught by professors from Emory and the University of Georgia, focuses on board governance, financial accountability, strategy, and leadership. I participated in this program in 2010 and have since applied its lessons at GEEARS: Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students. 

As the Executive Director of GEEARS, I’ve worked with our board to develop bylaws and fiscal procedures to ensure good governance, transparency, and accountability. Collaborating with our finance team, treasurer, and auditors annually, I’m proud of our decade of clean audits. Our meticulous budget process ensures restricted funds are spent appropriately, and unrestricted funds are managed responsibly. This experience will be invaluable as a fiduciary for NAEYC. 

Additionally, I’m a sought-after board member for various nonprofits. I actively build relationships with staff, promote organizational missions, engage in committee work, and understand the fiscal and strategic needs of these organizations.  I look forward to serving in a similar role at NAEYC.