How can interim leadership fuel long-term success? Habiba Bankston, Executive Director of Dress for Success Columbus, sat down with Benefactor Group Consultant Deja Reid to share how interim support during her maternity leave blossomed into a lasting partnership.
In this conversation, Habiba reflects on how Consultant Summers Hammel’s interim placement strengthened development goals, built organizational momentum, and set Dress for Success Columbus on a path toward tremendous growth. She also highlights the value of trust, collaboration, and strategic support in ensuring a smooth transition and sustainable impact.
Watch the video now to learn how intentional interim leadership can stabilize transitions and unlock new opportunities.
About Habiba Bankston
Habiba K. Bankston is a bold, purpose-driven leader with more than a decade of experience at the intersection of nonprofit leadership, corporate philanthropy, community engagement, and program innovation. As Executive Director of Dress for Success Columbus, she leads with vision, strategy, and heart—guiding the organization’s mission to empower all women to achieve economic independence through career development, professional attire, and a supportive community that helps them thrive.
Recognized as a coalition builder and impact strategist, Habiba has a proven track record of mobilizing people, resources, and partnerships to drive measurable change. Prior to leading Dress for Success Columbus, she served as Senior Community Relations Specialist at L Brands, where she oversaw global philanthropic investments, associate fundraising campaigns, and enterprise-wide volunteerism strategies for the L Brands Foundation.
Earlier in her career, she created and launched the inaugural Stewardship & Donor Relations program for the Office of Student Life at The Ohio State University—laying a foundation for lasting donor engagement and recognition practices.
Outside of her professional achievements, Habiba is a passionate community advocate and nationally respected voice for young professionals and underrepresented communities. She has served on the boards of the Columbus Urban League, Flying Horse Farms, The Lincoln Theatre, and the American Red Cross of Central Ohio. A founding President of the Columbus Urban League Young Professionals and former Central Region Vice President of the National Urban League Young Professionals, she has helped shape the future of civic leadership across eight Midwestern states.
As a public speaker and health advocate, Habiba uses her personal journey with Sickle Cell Disease to inspire resilience and raise awareness for lifesaving causes like blood donations.
A strategic collaborator and thoughtful communicator, she transforms vision into movement—scaling growth, optimizing systems, and championing causes that uplift women, families, and underrepresented communities. Guided by integrity, purpose, and compassion, she is a catalyst for collective change and a builder of better futures.
If you’d like to know more about how Benefactor Group can support your next leadership transition, contact us today.
