CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Siouxland
Volunteer Organizations:
Iowa Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program
Women United
100+ Women Who Care Board of Directors
Sioux City Cosmopolitan Club
What are you working on now?
The work I do in the community is focused around helping children and families. As the CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Siouxland, I strive to provide safe spaces and great programming for kids after school and during the summer. It’s wonderful to empower kids and deliver experiences they may not be able to have elsewhere. We work hard to ensure they are on track to graduate and have a plan for their future. In my spare time, I volunteer as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children. In this role, I advocate for reestablishing healthy family connections and providing a consistent presence in a child’s life while they are involved in the child welfare system. It’s an extremely rewarding and impactful way to volunteer.
What is your vision for the future?
My personal vision is to spend more of my time on things that are meaningful to me, slow down and enjoy the journey, and empower others to live their best lives.
What would you like to see happen in Siouxland?
I would love to see Siouxland continue to grow while maintaining its hometown feel. I envision Siouxland as a place that hosts more events and festivals and attracts more tourists and businesses. The river has been an untapped resource, and it’s exciting to see the riverfront development progress. Expanding airport services would make it easier for people to enjoy Siouxland.
What are you doing to make that happen?
The people are my favorite part of Siouxland. I’ve lived in many places over the years, and none have welcomed me quite like Siouxland. Our people are the reason I stay in the area. I try to do everything I can to give back through my work and volunteering, creating opportunities for people to thrive. Because Siouxland has been so good to me, I want to ensure I’m doing all I can to pay it forward.
How can people help you make that happen?
Keeping Siouxland great requires that we all pitch in. I would love to see more people get involved in the community. There are many ways to volunteer on small and large scales, all of which make a difference. Volunteering is a very personal journey, and it can take some time to find a place that’s a perfect fit. Giving back is great for the community and can be very personally fulfilling. When I first moved to town, I came across VolunteerSiouxland, a website that can connect you with different opportunities and needs in the area. It’s a great way to get matched up with causes and organizations that are important to you, as well as expand socially. Volunteering helped me start a connection with the community when I arrived.
What quote or saying inspires you?
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. ~African Proverb
