This blog is written by A2S Intern Petra Sakwa and taken from a Davidson College internship assignment. The assignment tasked the students to interview a colleague to discover what makes working for a nonprofit unique and meaningful to him or her. Petra interviewed A2S Staff Member Liz Fetzer, the Digital Communications Specialist, about her journey with A2S and wrote her reflections below.
Storyhill Church, then called Lake Forest Davidson, introduced Liz to Access to Success (A2S). She and her husband supported the organization monthly through their FaithFuel program. They also became good friends with Andrew and Molly, the co-founders of the organization. When they were first invited to the organization’s Vision Trip, Liz felt like she wasn’t ready. Her husband went first, and he had such an “incredible life–altering time” that he was even more excited about the work that the organization does. He encouraged Liz, who at that time was working part-time, to get more involved with A2S. At the same time, a Communications and Digital Storytelling role opened up at A2S, matching not only Liz’s qualifications but also her values and goals.
Nine months down the line, she just came back from her first–ever trip to Africa, to Nigeria. A vision trip, to be precise. A trip to A2S’s site, to see the impact she has been leading from her monthly contributions in the US. My conversation with her offered a rich and honest look into the nonprofit world and what it means to work in a mission-driven environment. While I entered the interview expecting to hear about her career path, I walked away with a deeper appreciation for the emotional and spiritual commitment required in this line of work.
Liz’s experience in Nigeria was groundbreaking. The direct exposure to children without enough food, access to education, or safe shelter stirred something deeper in her. She emphasized that no amount of secondhand stories can prepare you for the real-life sight of a child in need standing in front of you. That experience sharpened her commitment and gave new weight to the communications work she does daily, a job about connecting real people to life-changing impact. What stood out to her most, though, was how being in Nigeria allowed her to finally connect in person with the colleagues she’d worked with virtually. That sense of unity, “not A2S America or A2S Nigeria, but one team,” was deeply meaningful to her.
One theme that emerged strongly was the emotional cost and reward of nonprofit work. She acknowledged that the pay is lower, the hours are often long, and burnout is a real risk compared to the corporate world. However, she believes the work is more sustainable when you’re deeply aligned with the mission. In her case, the ability to make a difference, even in small ways, makes the sacrifices worthwhile. She also mentioned how being a mother actually made A2S a better fit than some corporate jobs. Despite long hours at times, her workplace culture is flexible, allowing her to balance her role as a mother and as an employee. That kind of empathy and work-life balance felt rare to her, and she’s grateful for it.
A2S staff members at Missions Night in July 2025. From left to right: Liz Fetzer, Uche Ufochukwu, Laura Knight, Petra Sakwa & A2S Founder Andrew Lovedale
To young professionals considering nonprofit work, her advice was first, know yourself and your values. Second, make sure the job aligns with both your personality and financial situation. Not everyone thrives in the same environment, and that’s okay. What matters is understanding what kind of culture fuels you. She contrasted her current role with a previous high-paying corporate job where she felt isolated and unfulfilled. At A2S, she feels like part of something bigger.
This conversation helped me see that nonprofit work, while idealistic, is also intensely practical. It requires logistical skills, emotional stamina, and spiritual grounding. It’s not just about doing good. It’s about doing it well and sustainably. I left our conversation with a greater respect for those who commit to this path, often at personal cost, because they believe the work matters. And after hearing her story and partly living in it, I believe it does too.
