Community Involvement is Worth Your Time
Sometimes people ask us, “How do you have time for additional activities alongside your jobs as Co-Presidents?” The answer is simple… We prioritize it just like time with friends, family, exercise and everything else. Both of us grew up with parents who valued the importance of volunteering and community involvement, and we feel like it is part of our obligation as a citizen, to help provide expertise, insight and support back to our community. Over the years, we actually have met some of our best friends through our community involvement engagements over the years and it has also been a great way to learn and practice leadership skills.
Between the two of us, we currently serve on several boards for organizations including: Louisville Tourism, Kentucky Performing Arts, the Speed Art Museum, the Jewish Heritage Fund, and the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. In the past, we have also served in leadership positions with the Louisville Zoo, Greater Louisville Inc, Kentucky Country Day School and the Jewish Community Federation.
Not only have we been committed to giving back to the community, but this is also a common thread across the entire Executive Leadership Team (ELT). Currently members of the ELT serve in a range of capacities including CFO Will Rives for Junior Achievement; CMO Matt Blevins for Centre College and Kentucky Pink Connection; CCO and General Counsel Jes Pendergrass for Bernheim Forest and Arboretum and Jefferson County Master Gardener Association; CHRO Emma Hutchens for CASA of River Region, MoMA and PEAK Unleashed; CSO Steve Feller for St. Agnes; and CIO Alan Kamei for Speed Art Museum, The Filson Historical Society and the Louisville Ballet.
In our ELT huddle last week, we asked each team member what they’ve been enjoying about their involvement recently, and everyone said something similar, that before they got involved in the community, they thought it was more of a formality, but as they’ve continued to be involved and build relationships, they’ve gained equal to if not more than they’ve put it.
When we step outside of our comfort zone and lean into spaces that aren’t our “regular circles,” we gain valuable perspective and insight into the world around us. We can also leverage these spaces when we need support!
We know that our greatest asset as an organization is you, our people! We have no doubt that many of you are doing this work in your own ways. Keep it up!
