Out of 1.1 million alumni, Tim Brand was recently selected as a Luminary for excellence in Community Leadership. This recognition from the University of Phoenix serves as a powerful testament to the gritty, results-driven leadership that guides Many Hands as we help forgotten communities rise and thrive.
Recently, our Founder and CEO, Tim Brand, was recognized by the University of Phoenix as one of their 76 Alumni Luminaries. This inaugural program was designed to honor a select group of alumni from a pool of over 1.1 million who have demonstrated exceptional excellence and grit.
While the 76 honorees represent a wide range of industries and entrepreneurial pursuits, Tim was specifically selected for his excellence in Community Leadership. For Many Hands, this recognition is more than a personal milestone for Tim. It serves as an external validation of the gritty, results-driven leadership that has guided our organization for nearly two decades. When outside experts verify the credibility of our leadership, it strengthens the foundation of trust we share with our partners and donors.
Reflections on the Journey
In a recent series of reflections from the University of Phoenix campus, Tim shared his thoughts on what this award means for the work we do every day.
“Any type of award like this makes you think, makes you pause, and makes you remember,” Tim noted. “I am eternally grateful for the people who have been part of this journey. From the people we serve in Haiti and Abaco to our thrift store workers and volunteers, I stand on the shoulders of everyone who has played a role.”
Tim’s leadership philosophy was forged during his Master’s in Management program twenty years ago and has been refined through years of navigating the complex realities of international development. He views this award not as a personal achievement, but as a testament to the work God is doing through the entire Many Hands team.
The Phoenix and the Heart of Many Hands
The award itself carries a powerful symbolism. The phoenix is a creature that rises from the ashes, emerging stronger than before. Tim believes this is the perfect metaphor for the communities where Many Hands is active.
“We go into communities that have been burned down or faced immense trouble,” Tim explained. “Out of those ashes, a phoenix rises. That is the heart of Many Hands. We have had to rebuild from the beginning many times, and we are formed by those hardships. What comes out of the ashes is stronger than what was there before.”
This perspective defines our “Love in Action” model. Whether we are assisting refugees fleeing violence in Haiti or rebuilding homes destroyed by a hurricane in Abaco, we are committed to the long-term, difficult work of restoration.
Building Trust Through Results
In the non-profit world, trust is the most valuable currency. Donors want to know that their resources are being managed by leaders who are not only passionate but professionally capable of delivering results.
Tim being recognized specifically for Community Leadership proves that our “inch wide, mile deep” strategy is an effective, evidence-based approach to transformation. It highlights our commitment to indigenous ownership, ethical leadership, and operational excellence.
As we look toward the future, we remain dedicated to the “virtuous cycle” of transformation that Tim helped establish. We are not just running programs; our goal is life transformation. This award is a reminder that when we walk together, stay steadfast in the chaos, and remain guided by the example of Jesus, we can help forgotten communities rise and thrive.
About Many Hands:
Many Hands is an Iowa-based nonprofit dedicated to transforming together, to be in action, in a broken world. We desire to walk alongside the community and empower individuals and families by focusing on education, agriculture, leadership, safe structures, youth programs, and early childhood development. Together, we can rebuild lives and restore hope, one person, one family, one community, at a time.
