Board Chair Spotlight: Nevin Dulabaum's Journey of Service

Part of our 140th Anniversary Blog Series At Mutual Aid Agency, leadership isn't just about strategy — it's about service. That spirit comes through clearly in our board chair Nevin Dulabaum, whose journey demonstrates how unexpected turns can lead to profound purpose. Like MAA itself, which began around kitchen tables in 1885, Nevin's path shows how faith-based service often emerges from the most unlikely circumstances.

A Life-Changing Moment

Nevin's journey to denominational service began with an unexpected detour. In 1994, while working for the city of Elgin, Illinois, a serious accident left him reflecting on his life's direction during recovery. "I want to do something else with my life," he recalls thinking. "I want to do something meaningful." While helping with administrative work during his recovery at the Church of the Brethren headquarters, Nevin learned that the denomination's news director was leaving. "I knew right then and there that job was meant to be mine," he recalls. "I felt God speaking to me at that moment." That conviction proved accurate, launching a career in denominational service that spans over three decades and eventually led him to his current role as President of Eder Financial (formerly Brethren Benefit Trust).

A Legacy of Service

When Nevin joined MAA's board in 2021, it wasn't a new relationship—it was a deepening of values he had long shared with the agency. As President of Eder Financial, he leads a national organization that, like MAA, is rooted in the Church of the Brethren tradition and serves people trying to live out their values. "Both organizations serve people who are trying to live out their values," Nevin explains. "At MAA, that means making sure churches and individuals are protected—not just financially, but relationally. Insurance here isn't transactional. It's personal. It's ministry." His approach to leadership centers on collaborative teamwork: "The most important thing in these diverse roles is acknowledging areas where I need support and bringing people around me who excel where I need them most."

A Mission That Resonates

What sets MAA apart, Nevin says, is its heart. "MAA isn't driven by profit margins. We're driven by a sense of calling. The staff lives that out every day in how they talk to clients and in how they respond to needs. There's a deep kindness there. A faithfulness." This commitment goes beyond exceptional customer service—what Nevin calls "concierge service"—to someone "who's committed to helping you solve the problem, not worried about how long they're on the phone with you." One example he finds especially powerful is the Brethren Mutual Aid Share Fund, part of MAA's Program of Mutuality. "That fund is one of the most Brethren things you could imagine," he says. "It puts our values into action. It says, 'We're going to walk with you.'" He adds, "When you choose MAA, you're not just protecting your own property. You're helping someone else get back on their feet. That's powerful."

An Unexpected Opportunity

This year brought Nevin an unexpected opportunity when the board asked him to serve as chair. With more than 30 years of nonprofit leadership and governance experience, he embraced the role after recognizing the board's confidence in his leadership abilities. "I'm deeply impressed by my fellow board members," he says. "It's a healthy group: engaged, prepared, curious, trusting. That dynamic is created by the staff, who share information transparently and make us feel like true partners." As board chair, Nevin sees his role as one of encouragement, accountability, and vision. "We support the executive team, ask good questions, and make sure we're not just sustaining but growing wisely."

A Testament to 140 Years

Reflecting on MAA's milestone anniversary, Nevin sees multiple factors behind the organization's endurance. From those first kitchen table meetings in 1885 as the Mutual Aid Society of Northeastern Kansas to today's nationwide coverage, MAA has maintained its core mission. "We're doing something right because there's a need, and it has shown that need continues in a much different landscape than it was 140 years ago," he notes. As MAA celebrates its 140th anniversary, Nevin hopes the organization continues leaning into its distinct identity. "You can grow and adapt, but never lose the values that make this agency different. If we stay true to our mission, we'll be okay."

Looking Forward

For Nevin, serving MAA is a calling rooted in stewardship, care, and community. "At the end of the day, this is about relationships. About protecting what people care about. Whether it's a family, a congregation, a ministry, or a home, our job is to walk alongside." He reflects, "There's a quiet power in being there for someone when they need it most. That's why I serve. That's why MAA matters." His message for those unfamiliar with MAA? "If you're looking for an organization that walks its talk, this is it." "Don't ever say never," he advises, reflecting on his own surprising career path. It's wisdom born from experience, and it serves both Nevin and Mutual Aid Agency well as they continue serving others together.