How Mona Stephens found purpose in Prescott’s nonprofit world
Prescott Woman magazine chatted with Mona Nyree Stephens of Yavapai CASA for Kids Foundation to find out what makes her enjoy being part of the Prescott Chamber of Commerce and how it benefits the nonprofit she works for.
PWM: How long have you been a member of the Prescott Chamber, and what do you enjoy most about being part of this organization?
Mona: I’ve been a Chamber member for seven years through Yavapai CASA for Kids and AmeriCorps. Their Coffee Connects make building friendships and collaborations effortless.
PWM: In your experience, how does the Prescott Chamber differ from other local groups?
Mona: The Chamber creates genuine connections—friendships, learning, and support beyond typical networking groups or events
PWM: Tell us about what brought you to Prescott and your employment role.
Mona: I came to Prescott in 2018 to join AmeriCorps with Yavapai CASA for Kids. I planned for one year, stayed forever, and now love leading fundraising, events, and outreach.
PWM: Do you have any kids, significant others, fur babies, or family members in the area?
Mona: I’m the only one in my family living in Arizona. I’ve built chosen family here, have been dating someone almost a year, and have a two-year-old pocket American Bully, Nori.
PWM: Are you involved in the community? If so, what initiatives or projects are you currently involved in that aim to uplift our community?
Mona: I’m involved in several initiatives uplifting our community. I co-host resilience workshops, volunteer with Rise Above the Clouds, speak at spiritual centers, and lead personal development workshops—including my upcoming “Come Home to Yourself” retreat.
PWM: What inspired you to start your nonprofit work, and how has that inspiration evolved?
Mona: I never planned on nonprofit work. AmeriCorps sparked my passion, and heartfelt foster youth letters inspire me daily to stay.
PWM: How do you balance the demands of working at a high level for a nonprofit with personal life, especially in the context of societal expectations?
Mona: I’m naturally high-strung, so I ground myself through daily meditation, walks, and movement. Though I hope to balance motherhood and career someday with strength and grace.
PWM: What do you wish you had known when first entering the nonprofit sector, and what advice do you have for women considering doing the same?
Mona: Working in nonprofits isn’t poverty. Redefine success—impacting one life counts. Real change is legacy, not money. This work is powerful, meaningful, and worth pursuing fully.
PWM: Is there a common misconception about women in business that you would like to address?
Mona: A common misconception is women’s empathy weakens leadership. In truth, emotional intelligence, compassion, and intuition make leaders stronger—especially in people-first nonprofit work.
PWM: Is there anything else you’d like to share that people might not know about you or your work?
Mona: Something people may not know is how personal this work is to me. My half-siblings grew up in foster care, inspiring my passion for service. Though I didn’t become a social worker, life led me back to supporting foster youth.
You can reach Mona for anything related to Yavapai CASA for Kids at Development@Yavapaicasaforkids.org. Find her on Facebook at facebook.com/TheRealMonaNyree.