Each month, the members of YWA nominate a fellow member to be honored as YWA’s member of the month. This October, the honor belongs to Lindsey Wrinkle! Below, you can read all about Lindsey and her path.
Lindsey was nominated by the Programs Committee because of her work as the YWA Connect Chair. She planned the first ever Mentor/Mentee Training Session, started the YWA Connect Facebook page, and has planned Connect events for the rest of the year. In addition to her help with YWA, Lindsey sits on the Susan Komen Jr. Executive Board.
Q: Congratulations on your nomination! How did you come to hear about YWA?
A: One of my coworkers is a former member of YWA. When I asked her how to get involved with the community, expand my resume beyond work experience, and meet friends outside of college, she suggested YWA as my very first step to accomplish all of these goals.
Q: Why did you decide to move to Austin?
A: I graduated from college when the job market was still in a significant downturn, so I tried to find a job, any job, anywhere in the state of Texas. After applying and interviewing everywhere, I finally received an offer here in Austin, which I accepted on the spot. Bonus: I have family that lives in the area, and I am now centrally located enough to visit the family who doesn’t.
Q: What makes you excited about entrepreneurship?
A: I enjoy the innovation and creativity that goes into entrepreneurship, whether it is starting your own business, or just trying something new within an old industry or market. In the current market, most businesses won’t survive without being creative and changing to keep up with the consumer. I love to see what ideas people have and enjoy trying to push my team to think differently with the goal of sustaining the company and maybe even growing.
Q: How did you get involved with Susan G. Komen?
A: I wanted to get more involved in our community in a consistent way. This opportunity was made available through YWA, and I jumped at the chance to be involved in an organization at a higher level. It’s been an amazing opportunity, and I have met so many wonderful people so far.
Q: Do you have any advice for other women who want to be involved with organizations such as that?
A: The easiest to ways are networking with other people who are already working with these organizations and getting involved anyway which you can. Never be afraid to get involved through volunteering and talk to everyone while you are doing it. It’s the best place to start!
Q: Lastly, how can fellow YWA members help with YWA Connect?
A: In July and August of each year, YWA Connect puts out a request to all of our members to nominate amazing women in our community to serve as mentors. We would love to see every member recommend one or two women each year, if they can! This year, we were able to grow the program significantly and match every member who applied to YWA Connect, but that’s really only possible when our members help us.
Congratulations again to Lindsey!
*This post was written by guest blogger and fellow YWA member, Emily Buchanan. Thanks, Emily!*
