For Nadine Durham, the most rewarding moments in leadership are not found in boardrooms or in quarterly reports—they are discovered in the tears of gratitude from a colleague who finally felt seen, or in the confident voice of a mentee who just landed their dream role. As Senior Director of Operations at IntrinsiQ Specialty Solutions, Nadine has spent nearly three decades turning her professional success into meaningful opportunities for others throughout the Philadelphia area. Currently serving as Board Chair of The French International School of Philadelphia, she exemplifies how busy professionals can weave community service seamlessly into their lives while creating lasting impact.

Nadine Durham is a 2025 Philadelphia Family Women of Influence Award Winner

Philadelphia Family’s Women of Influence Awards celebrate exceptional women making significant impacts in our community. Nadine was nominated by a friend, Jayd Wollard, and selected based on her achievements and dedication to creating positive change in her community. Each Women of Influence Award Winner has committed to support Family Focus Media’s core values. Together, we are committed to foster a sense of belonging and empowerment for all for all families. All backgrounds, races, genders, and sexual orientations are welcome and safe with us.

Beyond the awards, our Women of Influence Luncheons and Speed Networking Night attendees come together as our Women of Influence Network, a community fostering connections, collaboration, and mutual support. 

The Wings of Leadership

Nadine’s approach to leadership was shaped by watching her parents, Dr. Neville and Hyacinth Holder—a chemist and pharmacist now in their mid-80s who are absolutely thrilled about their daughter’s recognition. “My parents are without a doubt my heroes,” Nadine reflects. “They are shining examples of drive and determination, embodying the true essence of generosity, care and compassion. If I had to describe them, it’s drive and determination on one side and care and compassion on the other—those are the two wings of their plane.”

This foundation of authenticity and caring became the cornerstone of how Nadine approaches every relationship, whether she is mentoring a young professional or leading a team through complex projects and initiatives.

A Career-Defining Pivot

Nearly 25 years ago, Nadine made a decision that would reshape her entire professional path. As an accountant, she was asked to represent her department on an SAP software implementation project—an unexpected opportunity that revealed new passions and possibilities she never knew existed.

“There were moments while training when I witnessed others grasp concepts and saw our team achieve something remarkable in IT.” Nadine explains, “It was a chance to be a strategic partner, recognizing the link between my accounting background and the tangible impact it could create.”

The moment she knew she’d made the right choice? “It was about seeing the value of being able to leverage my background in a new way and the fulfillment I got from having that level of impact.” That calculated risk launched her onto a new career path in technology and opened doors to the leadership opportunities that define her career today.

Making Others Feel Seen

Nadine’s influence extends far beyond her corporate role through her leadership as Chair of B.O.N.D (Black Organization for Networking and Development), one of her company’s employee resource groups. Through the great work of the leadership team, B.O.N.D has become a powerful force for professional development and inclusion within the organization.

Her most memorable achievement came during a Black History Month event featuring renowned sportscaster James “JB” Brown. While the logistics were impressive—drawing one of the largest audiences for a company event—it was a single moment afterward that captured the true impact.

“Another Black associate came up to me with a big smile and tears in her eyes and said, ‘Watching you on stage in an unexpected way made me feel seen,'” Nadine recalls. “That’s why we did it. While the positive feedback from others was incredibly meaningful, that moment for our friend and colleague truly highlighted the purpose behind our efforts. Everyone should feel included and appreciated at the workplace.”

The event’s success reinforced what Nadine knows to be true: When people feel seen and valued, they are more motivated to bring their best selves to work, creating a win-win for both individuals and organization.

The Art of Mentorship

Perhaps nowhere is Nadine’s commitment to lifting others more evident than in her approach to mentorship. She has guided many mentees through her career, supervised several interns, and serves as an Advisory Board member with the HOPE Foundation in India, where she delivers virtual “Women in Leadership” talks to over 700 technology students across India—sometimes joining calls at 4 a.m. to accommodate the time difference.

“It’s about meeting people where they are at,” Nadine explains. “I often try to put myself in someone else’s shoes remembering that I too have been in a position of needing guidance in my career. The first step is simply opening the ‘door’ and genuinely listening to understand that person’s goals, objectives and dreams.”

Her mentorship philosophy centers on active, compassionate listening, followed by sharing experiences and practical guidance on networking, leveraging LinkedIn, and building confidence. “Somebody once told me that you are the CEO from you down—you don’t have to wait for opportunities to arise. You can find ways to positively influence your situation and use the resources around you to achieve your goals.”

Overcoming the “Do I Belong?” Question

As one of the few Black women in IT leadership, Nadine understands the unique challenges of navigating spaces where you don’t see yourself reflected. “There’s often that feeling of ‘do I truly belong in the room?’” she shares. “Whether it’s imposter syndrome or just feeling like there’s a conversation happening around you but you’re not really being considered.”

The key to overcoming these challenges? “Having confidence in who you are and recognizing the skills and talents that you bring are essential. It is important to surround yourself with great mentors and a personal ‘Board of Directors’ to help support and encourage your growth.”

This perspective drives her commitment to visibility and representation. “In the positions I hold, I recognize that I’ve been blessed with opportunities that I believe are gifts from God.  However, these opportunities are not just for me; they should be leveraged in a way that allows others to benefit as well.” 

Educational Excellence and Community Impact

Nadine’s dedication to nurturing future leaders extends through her role as Board Chair of The French International School of Philadelphia, where both her daughters attended from pre-K through eighth grade. The school’s incredible mission and diversity—with over 20 different first languages of origin spoken—perfectly aligned with the kind of environment they wanted for their kids.

“We chose the school because of the diversity and the incredible opportunity of bilingual immersion,” Nadine explains. “Seeing what these experiences have offered my kids motivates me to keep giving and serving on the Board so that other families can enjoy the same opportunities we had.”

Her daughters have both continued their connection to the school, volunteering at summer camps and pursuing studies that reflect the global perspective they gained there. Her older daughter studies international business and French at Temple University (and is currently interning at her mother’s company), while her younger daughter pursues musical theater at Long Island University.

A Heart for Children and Community

Beyond her visible leadership roles, Nadine has a deep passion for working with children and young women. “I genuinely love helping kids,” she says. “Whether through serving or other means.  I’m naturally drawn to giving to them in some capacity.”

This commitment extends to her broader community service with organizations like HOPE for Kids, ODAAT (One Day at A Time), and the church communities she has been a part of. Her approach to community involvement is strategic: she looks for opportunities where she can leverage her skills, which align with her values and can involve her family.

“It was important to me that our kids saw me serving,” she notes. “I remember making lunches together and going downtown on a Saturday morning to hand them out.  Those were special moments with the kids, serving together.”

Quality Over Quantity

For working mothers trying to balance career advancement with community involvement, Nadine offers practical wisdom: “Look for opportunities that align your passions with your work.  Explore ways to connect what you care about with your job, whether through volunteer initiatives offered by your company or by participating in things like employee resource groups.”

She learned early that managing multiple responsibilities is not about having more time—it is about making the time you have count. “Once, when I was struggling with mom guilt, someone reminded me that ‘It’s about the quality, not the quantity’ when it comes to time spent with my kids.”  How do you spend your time in the car with your kids? We developed a habit of praying in the car, talking about our days (one high and one low), playing games and even using the time to call family members.”

A Legacy of Empowerment

As Nadine looks toward the future, her hopes for her daughters reflect the lessons she has learned throughout her own journey: “I hope they have the courage to take appropriate risks and embrace their true selves. Throughout my career I have learned that moments of doubt can hold us back, but overcoming those doubts is where true growth can begin.”

Her recent transition to a new role within her company—moving from IT into operations—exemplifies the risk-taking she wants to model. “It was about taking a risk into something different because I wanted to learn more about the organization while leveraging my transferable skills to make an impact. A senior leader encouraged me with this: ‘It’s okay to take a risk. Do something different that might feel a little scary.'”

Looking ahead, Nadine continues to find meaning in the personal connections her work in healthcare creates. With aging parents in their 80s, she sees how her professional role directly impacts people like her own family. “I’m reminded that the work I do connects directly to the lives of patients—those who could be someone’s loved one.  This personal connection fuels my passion and commitment, driving me to make a difference in their journeys toward better health.”

As her nominator Jayd perfectly captures: “Nadine is an incredible and truly inspiring woman. She is a pillar in our community and is always paying it forward. She does so much to encourage women and young girls to be their very best and to strive to be something more.”

From accountant to senior director, from behind-the-scenes supporter to center-stage interviewer, from individual contributor to community champion—Nadine Durham’s journey illustrates the power of authentic leadership that lifts others while staying true to your core values. Her story reminds us that sometimes the most profound impact comes not from avoiding challenges, but from using every platform and opportunity to help others feel seen, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Connect with Nadine Durham on LinkedIn.

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