Life & Work with Debbie Pope
http://voyagedenver.com/interview/life-work-with-debbie-pope-of-boulder/
LOCAL STORIES JANUARY 17, 2023
Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbie Pope.
Hi Debbie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The road to my current role as CEO, of YWCA Boulder County was filled with many twists and turns, not uncommon to all of our journeys. I started as a broadcast journalist determined to educate the public about social justice. After working with all three network affiliates, and as a young woman in a very sexist industry, I found myself searching for how I could create a greater impact. My mother, Luanne, had multiple sclerosis and as a morning show anchor, I found myself championing the National MS Society as a board member.
At a board meeting, they shared they were looking for someone to do their fundraising and marketing work. I jumped at the opportunity and essentially started my career in the non-profit space. Nearly twenty years of my non-profit executive experience was gained at the National MS Society. I moved four times during that time and realigned the organization first with regions and eventually as the EVP, Development for the national organization.
During my time with the Society, I led teams to raise 500+ million dollars to resource the research for a cure. I started to feel a greater pullback to social justice and advocacy four years ago. Being a mother of four, commuting to Denver from my home in Boulder, also made me start exploring what the next chapter needed to look like. I found the YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women incredibly compelling.
I started as the CEO of the Boulder County organization in 2018 and since then have been able to double the revenue, complete a capitol renovation to expand our quality, affordable childcare, and developed new programming to address inequities in our community, including a STEM program for 5-8th grade girls of color and a robust racial justice program including community education, DEI work with the school districts and important advocacy.
I am also the Chair of the Women’s Collaborative of Boulder County-responsible for organizing community members to successfully engage thousands of activists to demonstrate in one of the four reproductive and fundamental rights marches we’ve hosted in Boulder.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The social justice space has been anything but smooth during the past four years so every day seems to hold a challenge or adventure. I continue to be inspired by the strength of the women and girls we work with each day but the pandemic has hit women the hardest, especially women of color. We have seen an alarming number of women leave the workforce due to the increasing challenges related to cost and access to childcare.
Women are the backbones of our communities and it feels like the respect for our rights is now being challenged. Due to the systemic sexism and racism intertwined in every aspect of our lives, untangling that and rewiring it requires focus, persistence, and well-organized and mobilized activism. This is not a quick process and the number of injustices I see every day in this space can feel frustrating but I continue to be encouraged by the strength of the women and allies I work with every day to stay focused on the bigger goals.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Don’t let others define who you are or what you can achieve. Find joy and gratitude in your work and life. Celebrate milestones. It’s a long road to making a change and it’s important to recognize the important markers that lead to change. Stay focused, positive and forward facing. I believe communication and vulnerability as a leader is required.
Sharing that based on what you know and can see at this moment is defining the direction you are going. During the pandemic, it has been incredibly important to stay grounded while recognizing the many unknown variables that may require adjusting plans and strategy. I believe leaders need to provide a road map during this time. Even if that changes it builds confidence and reassurance for staff, donors, volunteers, and most importantly the people we serve.