How Nonprofit Bpeace Helps Skills-Based Volunteers Overcome Imposter Syndrome

David Sturrock, an accomplished industrial engineer, is one of the most sought-after volunteer business experts in the Bpeace community. Despite his extensive experience, he shares that every new project brings a sense of uncertainty.

"It’s starting to diminish, but in the beginning, I felt pure terror. I always wonder what I have to offer—but I’ve found I have a lot more to offer than I thought." David Sturrock

For David, volunteering with Bpeace—an award-winning nonprofit that connects small businesses with pro bono consultants—has been both a humbling and rewarding experience. So far, he has worked on 19 projects across Guatemala, El Salvador, and the United States, helping small businesses unlock their growth potential.

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The Impact of David’s Work: A Success Story from Guatemala

One of David’s most notable successes comes from his work with Claudia López Urizar, who leads a family-owned designer and manufacturer of custom cabinets in Guatemala.

Here’s how David’s expertise made a difference:

‍"We were at a point where we started thinking, will we be able to continue? Then we began working with David, and he was amazing. He brought so much clarity to our problems. We had bottlenecks that we couldn’t identify, but David taught us how to use software to plan ahead for our production processes and detect those bottlenecks on time—before they became huge issues. The action plan David helped us create is now like our North Star for every decision." Claudia López Urizar

Quantifiable Success: Jobs Created and Revenue Growth

David’s impact on Claudia’s business is not just anecdotal—it’s backed by impressive numbers. Since working with David in the Bpeace program, Claudia’s company has created 13 new jobs and increased revenue by 168%.

Bpeace Impact Manager Cecile Ney has conducted hundreds of interviews with both small-business leaders and Bpeace volunteers. She finds that a surprising number of volunteers, even those with decades of professional experience, struggle with Imposter Syndrome.

"It’s common for volunteers to feel like they’re not qualified enough to help, even though they have years of expertise. But over time, they realize just how much they have to offer—and how their insights can make a real difference." Cecile Ney

Bpeace’s Approach: Tailored Support for Volunteers and Small Businesses

Bpeace’s unique approach to consulting involves providing customized support for leaders of small and midsize businesses. Their goal is to help businesses overcome obstacles and unlock growth potential.

A key element of Bpeace’s success is sourcing the right volunteer experts. This involves more than just professional experience—it’s also about aligning personal values, styles, and passions between the volunteer and the business leader.

To ensure volunteers feel supported and empowered, Bpeace has developed several tools and protocols to help them overcome any feelings of Imposter Syndrome. These resources include:

• A scope-of-project template to clarify the volunteer engagement
• A reflection booklet for in-person volunteers
• A structured notebook for documenting progress in remote volunteer sessions
• How-to guides for specific engagements
• Training sessions with experienced volunteers
• Mid-process debriefing sessions for exchanging best practices
• An Ambassador program to pair new volunteers with seasoned ones
• Pairing volunteers when a diverse set of skills is needed

Bpeace’s Role: Providing Continuous Support

Throughout the volunteer engagement, Bpeace acts as a central hub, providing continuous support to both volunteers and small-business leaders. They manage all logistics, provide structure for each encounter, and help both parties navigate challenges. Bpeace also serves as a cultural interpreter, helping volunteers understand local business contexts and ensuring the success of each engagement.

As a result of Bpeace’s comprehensive support system, experts like David Sturrock continue to return for new volunteer opportunities. David is about to begin his 20th volunteer assignment with Bpeace—a testament to the rewarding nature of these projects.

Bpeace’s strong volunteer support system has also attracted corporate engagement partners like ZS. Over the past two years, ZS has doubled its volunteer participation in the Bpeace program, thanks to the structured support Bpeace provides.

The Data Speaks for Itself

Even though volunteers may feel Imposter Syndrome at the outset, many report that their volunteer work with Bpeace is among the most rewarding and satisfying experiences of their careers.

Volunteering with Bpeace is a win-win: experts gain a sense of fulfillment, and small-business leaders receive the guidance they need to thrive. By supporting volunteers through every step of the process, Bpeace ensures that both businesses and individuals reach their full potential.