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Meet Kristy Smith, one of Women United’s original members, and an integral part of our Steering Leadership Team. Kristy volunteers her time and gives back to our community in so many ways, and keeps everyone around her laughing all the time!
Meet Kristy Smith, one of Women United’s original members, and an integral part of our Steering Leadership Team. Kristy volunteers her time and gives back to our community in so many ways, and keeps everyone around her laughing all the time!
Q: In today’s busy world, tell us one thing you do on a regular basis to ensure ‘self-care’.
A: Taking time to read what I want to read, taking time to be outside every day, watching every Phoenix Suns game.
Q: Tell us about a leadership trait that you possess and why you think it’s important.
A: Action. Leading by doing is something I try to model. As a former educator and as a parent, I know learning happens when we are engaged and active. Leadership happens then as well.
Q: What is the one thing you wish you could find more time to do, and why?
A: Boy, that list is long for everyone you ask, I am sure. No one sits around thinking, wow, I have so much free time, what should I do? I love to travel, hang out with my family, walk my dog. In daily life I would like to walk and read more. In long term I’d like to travel more.
Q: Women United focuses on ensuring that children are able to be successful in school by helping to fund programs that end hunger in the classroom. How do you like to engage in making an impact?
A: I engage with my time (at the schools, in Women United, packing WeekEND hunger backpacks—all of these are made possible by Women United), my financial resources, by talking about it with my family and friends, by inviting other to join in and come to our luncheon to hear more about it.
Q: What would you like women considering joining Valley of the Sun United Way’s Women United movement to know?
A: Just do it! One of my favorite parts (and probably one of the reasons I have stuck around so long) is the variety of people I have become friends with. Everyone is different, and I would never have crossed paths with most of these amazing women if not for our shared goals on Women United.
Q: So often women are humble and don’t like to share their strengths and what they love about themselves, so we are asking you to do that now!
A: I have an unending supply of enthusiasm and I am never boring.
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