Application Guide
How to Apply for Executive Director
at Breaking Free
🏢 About Breaking Free
Breaking Free is a survivor-centered nonprofit founded in 1996 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, dedicated to ending sex trafficking and exploitation while supporting survivors in building safe, stable futures. With nearly 30 years of impact, it provides safe housing, trauma-informed services, advocacy, and community education across Minnesota. Its holistic model, shaped by lived experience and grounded in racial equity, has supported thousands of survivors and drives systemic change in Minnesota and beyond.
About This Role
The Executive Director serves as Breaking Free's primary leader, strategist, and ambassador, reporting to the Board of Directors. This role guides a committed staff team and board to advance the mission through strong operations, community-rooted leadership, and values-driven decision-making. The ED will lead implementation of the strategic plan, cultivate a trauma-informed, racially equitable organizational culture, and center lived experience in leadership and decision-making.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve meeting with the board chair to discuss governance priorities, leading a staff meeting to align on strategic initiatives, and engaging with community partners or funders to advance Breaking Free's mission. The ED might also spend time reviewing program data, mentoring staff, and representing the organization at public events or advocacy meetings.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Breaking Free Is Looking For
- Proven executive leadership experience in nonprofit organizations, preferably in human services, anti-trafficking, or survivor-support fields.
- Deep commitment to racial equity, trauma-informed practices, and centering lived experience in organizational decision-making.
- Strong strategic planning and implementation skills, with the ability to hold organizational complexity while staying grounded in community, healing, and justice.
- Demonstrated success in board partnership, governance, fundraising, and financial management, with excellent relational and communication skills.
📝 Tips for Applying to Breaking Free
Highlight your experience leading survivor-centered or trauma-informed organizations, specifically mentioning how you've integrated lived experience into programs or governance.
Demonstrate your commitment to racial equity by providing concrete examples of how you've advanced equity within an organization or community.
Show familiarity with the anti-trafficking landscape in Minnesota or similar contexts, including key partners, funders, and policy issues.
Emphasize your ability to work collaboratively with a board of directors, including experience with governance, strategic planning, and board development.
Tailor your cover letter to Breaking Free's mission and values, using language that reflects their holistic, survivor-centered approach and their nearly 30-year history.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your personal connection to Breaking Free's mission and why you are drawn to leading a survivor-centered, equity-focused organization.", "Specific examples of your strategic leadership, including how you've implemented strategic plans and cultivated psychologically safe, trauma-informed cultures.", 'Your experience partnering with boards and guiding governance, with an emphasis on collaborative decision-making and supporting board development.', 'Your track record in fundraising, financial stewardship, and community engagement, particularly in Minnesota or similar contexts.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Study Breaking Free's history, mission, programs, and impact reports to understand their survivor-centered model and key achievements over nearly 30 years.
- → Research the anti-trafficking landscape in Minnesota, including key legislation, funders, and partner organizations, to understand the context in which Breaking Free operates.
- → Learn about Breaking Free's leadership and board members, including their backgrounds and commitments to racial equity and survivor leadership.
- → Explore recent news or publications about Breaking Free to stay updated on their current initiatives, challenges, and opportunities.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Avoid generic language about nonprofit leadership; instead, tailor your application to Breaking Free's specific mission and survivor-centered approach.
- Do not overlook the importance of racial equity and trauma-informed practices; failing to address these core values will be a significant misstep.
- Avoid focusing solely on administrative or operational skills; emphasize strategic vision, community-rooted leadership, and relational acumen.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!