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This is one of those stories that is personal and is one that has developed over the last three years of my career.  There are seasons when your personal life takes over your professional career and sometimes it is the opposite.  This particularly is a pattern in the world of nonprofit leadership. Sometimes you recognize it and sometimes you don’t until well after the fact.  The same could be said for the moments in your life that become significant and have a profound impact on how you do your work, how you live your life and how you interact with people.

Some of those events that I recognized the impact they would have over the span of my life time are the meeting of my now spouse, the birth of our son, the first child fatality I worked as a child protection investigator, being looked over for a promotion I really wanted, spreading my wings and moving across the country, a family member brutally murdered, a close friend mercilessly beaten and raped, becoming the Executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County and three years ago my mother’s diagnosis of cancer, and then her death.

Some of these events I didn’t recognize the long term influence.  My Mom’s volunteer work making life better for women and children.  My Dad’s life of service.  Being paired with the greatest child protection investigator in the state of Louisiana as my first mentor.  Coming face to face with an angry dad with a shot gun in his hand on my very first solo investigation.  Making the seemingly unimportant decision to go out with a friend to celebrate the finality of her divorce all those years ago and meeting a young handsome soldier.  

Each of those events changed me in vastly different ways, they all had surprisingly affected me in some ways that were the same. 

They built resiliency.  They gave me a different perspective on life.  And they made me thankful.  Yep.  The last one has completely changed my entire outlook on life.  I have started to live my life in gratitude.  Or maybe continued living that way with more intention.  Gratitude.  

Living in gratitude as the Executive Director of a Children’s Advocacy Center is a profound experience that shapes both the personal and professional aspects of one’s life. In this role, each day serves as a reminder of the resilience and courage shown by children and families who endure and rise above trauma. This is not a journey of mere management or leadership; it is one deeply rooted in empathy, dedication, and a commitment to provide hope and healing. Living in gratitude transforms challenges into opportunities to make a meaningful impact, not just for the children we serve but also the broader community and the future.

The most profound gratitude I feel is for the families and children who trust us with their stories.

It’s an honor and a responsibility to stand beside them, often during their most vulnerable moments, and help them begin the journey toward healing. Each story is a testament to resilience, and each interaction reaffirms the importance of the work we do. Seeing these children emerge from trauma, empowered and supported, reminds me daily of the significance of compassion and patience. They inspire everyone on our team, providing a renewed purpose and reinforcing the center’s commitment to more than just making a difference but pathing the way to a stronger, healthier, safer community for our children to grow up in.

I am deeply grateful for the team of dedicated professionals who work tirelessly alongside me.

Each member brings unique skills and perspectives, united by a shared vision to support and protect children. Our staff, multidisciplinary team, Board, volunteers—the entire Children’s Advocacy Center Team bring unwavering dedication, often going above and beyond to create a safe space where children feel seen, heard, and valued. It is this unity and shared commitment that fuel our efforts and amplify the positive change we bring to children’s lives. I am grateful for their compassion, resilience, and the sacrifices they make daily, knowing that their work has a ripple effect on the community as a whole.

Gratitude also extends to the broader community—our supporters, partners, and donors who believe in our mission and provide the resources necessary to make it possible.

Their generosity and support are essential to our work, allowing us to offer specialized services, therapeutic programs, and resources that would otherwise be out of reach. Fundraising events, grants, and community partnerships all serve as pillars that sustain our programs, and each contribution is a testament to the trust our community places in us. Living in gratitude means acknowledging the privilege of being able to mobilize these resources toward creating positive, lasting change for children who need it most.

By fostering an attitude of gratitude, I find strength in times of challenge and uncertainty.

The work can be emotionally demanding, and yet it’s this focus on gratitude that keeps the heart open to the possibility of hope and healing. Recognizing the profound impact our work has on children’s lives, as well as the transformative effect it has on the individuals who serve in this field, brings an immense sense of fulfillment. It reminds me daily that this work is more than a job; it is a calling.

In December, I will embark on my 35th year in my career working in the field of child abuse/child protection. 

When I say this work is more than a job but a calling—at least for me it has been—I mean that for some of us this work has chosen us.  At each juncture when I felt like I could move on I was pulled back into this work.  There are others like me.  Others who each time they can close the door, they have walked through to a new opportunity in the field.  I have had the privilege to be a forensic interviewer, a child protection investigator, a foster care manager, advocate, program manager, in home service provider, and Executive Director.  

November 12th is my 11th anniversary as the Executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County.  It has been an incredible honor to have been selected in this role.  I am looking forward to the future and I see great things in the future of this great organization.  I am excited to be the leader of this organization.  It is my privilege to witness the work of law enforcement detectives, of case workers, of prosecutors, of the CAC staff, of everyone on the Jackson County Multidisciplinary Team.  It is some of the greatest acts of empathy, of courage, of compassion, of justice, of integrity I have ever seen.  

In the end, being the Executive Director of a Children’s Advocacy Center is about leading with empathy, resilience, and gratitude. It’s about being grateful for every opportunity to make a positive difference, no matter how small.

Living in gratitude transforms not only the way we approach challenges but also the way we celebrate victories, big and small.

This role has taught me that, while we may not be able to change the past for the children who come to us, we can help them find hope for the future. And for that, I am forever grateful.