14 — VICTORIA ADVOCATE, Sunday, June 27, 2021
AMY MUNDY AGE: 45 EDUCATION: Associate Degree - Victoria College; Bachelor of Arts Degree University of Houston-Victoria CITY OF RESIDENCE: Victoria OCCUPATION/TITLE: Executive Director, College Advancement and Victoria College Foundation COMPANY: Victoria College HOW DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED IN THIS INDUSTRY? I have a passion for people, a thirst for learning, and a drive to have an impact in my community. Being an alumna of Victoria College and knowing that their mission aligns with my passion made it an easy fit for me. WHAT DRIVES YOU TO SUCCEED? Helping others be successful. In my profession, my team and I have the opportunity every day to assist Victoria College in supporting our students in their educational and career goals. There is no greater drive to succeed than to help others. WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES YOU HAVE FACED DURING YOUR CAREER? HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THESE CHALLENGES? Time management has always been a challenge for me. There are so many ways to have an impact and take things to the next level. Building a solid team is key to overcoming that challenge. As one person, you have limited time, but working as a team, so much more can be accomplished. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO UP-AND-COMING YOUNG PROFESSIONALS? A mentor of mine (everyone should have mentors) once told me “life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” My advice is to live your life purposefully outside of your comfort zone. If you are asked to take on a new role or project, say yes. What you do not know, you have an opportunity to. It is those “yes” moments that broaden your knowledge, help you grow, and take you to the next level of your potential. IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU SERVE AND GIVE BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY? I have the unique opportunity to serve our area through my profession. On a daily basis, I am fortunate to see the impact education has on our students, their families, and in our communities. Because this is my lifelong community, I see the opportunities to be involved with local nonprofits. Working with others to help enhance our community through education, economic development, arts and culture continues to be a priority. My family has enjoyed hosting Victoria Generals’ players, Victoria Symphony and medical students in our home. We love meeting new people and introducing them to all Victoria has to offer. WHAT CHARITY OR NONPROFITS DO YOU SUPPORT AND WHY? Being involved with Habitat for Humanity, I see how helping families in our region with home ownership has a generational impact, not only on the new homeowners, but also in our community. I serve on the Victoria Fine Arts Association board. It is important for our community to have the opportunity to experience all forms of art. Working with board members to brainstorm ideas and promote creativity is so rewarding. I have also served on the boards of Victoria Main Street, Victoria Chamber of Commerce, Museum of the Coastal Bend, Junior League of Victoria, and Friends of Devereux.
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B.J. NELSON AGE: 55 EDUCATION: B.S. in education from Baylor University CITY OF RESIDENCE: Victoria OCCUPATION/TITLE: V.P. sales/marketing, owner COMPANY: White Trash Services
HOW DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED IN THIS INDUSTRY? Scott, my husband, and I had always wanted to have our own business, and this opportunity presented itself to us. WHAT DRIVES YOU TO SUCCEED? There’s not another option. If we are to succeed and support our family and our community, we can’t ever give up. Failure is not an option! WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES YOU HAVE FACED DURING YOUR CAREER? HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THESE CHALLENGES? There are not enough hours in the day to get it all done. We have been blessed that when I was at my wit’s end, Scott had motivation to push to the next level, and vice versa. We have prayed when times were dicey and sought counsel to provide answers to questions, we didn’t know the answers to. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO UP-AND-COMING YOUNG PROFESSIONALS? STRAP YOURSELF IN AND HANG ON — you never know what each day is going to bring. Praise your team and always expect the best! When you can’t do anymore, do one more thing! Get involved in your community and figure out what makes you different! IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU SERVE AND GIVE BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY? I am active on multiple boards in our community, such as the Victoria Livestock Show Committee, Victoria Chamber of Commerce, Keep Victoria Beautiful, Riverwood Homeowners Association, and active in the Victoria Republican Club. Scott and I support the Sheriff ’s Alliance and many volunteer fire departments throughout our seven-county area we serve. WHAT CHARITY OR NONPROFITS DO YOU SUPPORT AND WHY? We feel our youth are our future and therefore support our local high schools, both public and private and many of the organizations within those schools. We want our young people to learn skills as they are growing and maturing that enable them to give back and contribute to the community they chose to live in as an adult. We also support many volunteer fire departments with donations to their fundraiser and helping them raise money. We also are involved in the Republican party of Texas and support them. We also support Hillsdale College and South Texas Children’s home. We attend Sportsman’s Church and support their mission to reach people for Christ.
BROOKE GARCIA AGE: 46 EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts in English and executive MBA CITY OF RESIDENCE: Victoria OCCUPATION/TITLE: Nonprofit; executive director COMPANY: United Way of the Crossroads
HOW DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED IN THIS INDUSTRY? When I graduated with my bachelor’s, I knew I wanted to give back to the community, so I joined AmeriCorps. That experience and a program at my alma mater designed to get teens interested in nonprofits, led me to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector. WHAT DRIVES YOU TO SUCCEED? I am motivated to inspire and help others so that they succeed. My legacy will be reflected in the positive impact they will make in the world because I chose to make an impact in their lives. WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES YOU HAVE FACED DURING YOUR CAREER? HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THESE CHALLENGES? Nonprofit leaders face new challenges nearly every day! Whether it be fundraising concerns, new government regulations, staff and volunteer challenges, or even technology concerns, I tend to view each challenge as a learning experience. I know we will find a solution and come out better, much as we have done with the global pandemic. We have capitalized on the use of technology to reach a wider audience and stepped up into places others didn’t know we could. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO UP-AND-COMING YOUNG PROFESSIONALS? Listen to the experiences of others. While no one else has walked the exact path you will take, some have walked a portion. Put those together and learn from their failures and successes. IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU SERVE AND GIVE BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY? Beyond leading the efforts of the United Way of the Crossroads, I am an adjunct instructor with two universities. I am happy that I am in a position where I can share the knowledge I’ve gained from more than 20 years in the sector with our future leaders. WHAT CHARITY OR NONPROFITS DO YOU SUPPORT AND WHY? Through work or personally, I support the United Way. I am also the incoming treasurer for the Victoria Rotary Club.
