Growing Purpose

Charee Grover is our fantastic featured writer this month. A Pittsburgh native now living in Maryland, Charee has 7 years of experience in higher education and over 10 years in nonprofit management. She is passionate about service, civic engagement, and creating meaningful community impact. Outside of work, Charee loves music, decorating, and building meaningful relationships both personally and professionally.

Check out our Q+A with Charee below, and view her full feature in this month's issue of En Root here!

This month's theme is all about finding and understanding your purpose(s). Tell us how this theme has played a role in your personal or professional life.

For me, finding my purpose has been a journey of saying “yes” to the unknown and trusting the process. In 2014, I realized I wanted more than a job—I wanted meaningful work rooted in service and community. That led me to take a leap, leave higher ed, and follow a path into civic engagement.

Since then, my purpose has continued to grow, but it's always centered on connection, impact, and helping others find their way. Sometimes purpose shows up as a bold move—other times, it’s a quiet moment that just feels right. I’ve learned to listen to both.

At OutGrowth, we believe in designing the space and time to reimagine the path forward. How do you think that a commitment to understanding your purpose(s) can help us to navigate our lives and careers?

Understanding your purpose helps you navigate life and career with clarity and intention. Once I realized my purpose was rooted in service and community impact, I was able to reimagine my path in a more authentic way. Purpose doesn’t give you all the answers, but it grounds you—especially during times of change—and helps you say yes to what truly aligns.

What is one hard lesson you learned in this past year that contributed to your growth?

One lesson I’ve learned this year is just how important mental and physical health truly are. It’s okay to be dedicated to your work, but not at the cost of your well-being. Make time to pause, reset, and take care of yourself—especially when life gets hectic. We only get one life, and it’s meant to be lived and enjoyed.

What is one competency or skill you hope to develop in 2025 and beyond?

One competency I hope to continue developing in 2025 and beyond is strategic leadership through trust. This year, I had the opportunity to serve as interim CEO for four months while our CEO was on paternity leave. It was a big shift for me—I’m used to being in roles where I needed to have the answers and lead from the front.

But in this experience, I learned the power of trusting the people around me—letting experts lead in their areas, supporting the team without micromanaging, and stepping in to problem-solve only when needed. That shift from being the “doer” to being the “supporter” was huge for me.

Moving forward, I want to grow in this space—leading with trust, empowering others, and continuing to build strong, collaborative teams where everyone thrives in their lane.

What inspires you?

I’m inspired by people who balance personal and professional life with intention. Watching others lead with passion while still prioritizing rest, family, and well-being reminds me that true success is about living fully—both at work and beyond.

At OutGrowth, we believe in preparing the next generation of leaders. What is one resource you'd recommend to those looking to carve out the time for growth in the next year?

I believe in the power of music as a tool for reflection and growth. One album that’s been on repeat for me is *The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill*. It’s honest, soulful, and full of lessons about identity, love, purpose, and self-worth. Whenever I need to reset or reconnect with myself, this album grounds me and reminds me to keep growing.

What's next? What are you excited about in the coming year?

I’m not exactly sure what’s next, and that’s the exciting part! I’m looking forward to whatever the universe has in store for me—and I’m staying open to new opportunities, growth, and wherever this journey leads.