board member spotlight:
D onn a Higgins – D e dic at e d t o t h e M ission
Donna Higgins has been an
ACHIEVEability Board Member since 2002
and is known for her willingness to take
direct action to help transform the lives
of ACHIEVEability families and for her
enthusiasm in bringing others to the cause.
Currently the Board Vice Chair, she uses her
experience as an executive recruiter to assist
our families with job search efforts and to
lead the nominating committee.
Tell us a little about yourself.
First and foremost, I am a mother to two
fantastic young men. Matt, who is 19 and
attending Bates College, and Chris, who is
18 and recently started at Wake Forrest. I am
the founder and CEO of The Higgins Group,
an executive search firm helping life science
clients find senior level talent. We have been
in business for 16 years, have 19 employees,
and execute about 75 searches each year.
Our clients are all over the country and we
search globally for highly specialized leaders.
How did you first get involved
with ACHIEVEability?
I got involved with ACHIEVEability in 2001
when former executive director Jacques
Ferber asked me to help find new board
members. After I got to know the program,
I thought it was fantastic and subsequently
joined the Board myself.
What’s your personal philosophy on
what should be done about poverty
and homelessness?
As an entrepreneur and someone who
grew up with challenging conditions,
I strongly believe that we should do all we can
as a society to help others. ACHIEVEability’s
model of a comprehensive approach to
breaking the poverty cycle makes sense
because most people in situations of poverty
and homelessness did not get there over
night and there is no “one fix” solution.
What impresses you most about
ACHIEVEability, and what do you want
people to know about the agency?
Donna with her two sons,
Chris and Matt.
What impresses me the most is the
passion that I see in the ACHIEVEability team.
There does not seem to be an end to the hours
they will work and the energy they will invest
to make sure things get done for our families
and for the community.
What would you tell someone who is
thinking about donating or volunteering
at ACHIEVEability?
Our goal is to change the trajectory of our
families and help the parents gain education
and skill sets that will be self-sustaining. In
doing this, we are helping the children learn
new skills and goals. Our expectations are
very high for our families and our team works
tirelessly. It would be great to see you get
your checkbook now and help us deliver on
our mission!
Donna Higgins was recognized in
2013 at the Executive Leaders Radio
Philanthropy Awards Breakfast for her
outstanding dedication and commitment
to ACHIEVEability.
food for thought fundraiser:
O u r S ign at u r e Ev e n t
Food for Thought is ACHIEVEability’s
most important fundraiser of the year.
Many of our sponsors and chefs have
already committed to supporting
next year’s event, so please mark your
calendars for Saturday, March 22, 2014.
The event will take place at Urban
Outfitters at the Navy Yard.
This year’s Food for Thought was a great
Last year’s “party with a purpose” featured
success, raising nearly $300,000 with more
food prepared by more than 30 top chefs from
than 600 guests in attendance! Thanks to
the Greater Philadelphia area. The event also
the support of our sponsors, attendees,
included unique auction items, games, live
committee members, donors, featured chefs, music, and recognition of the ACHIEVEability
guest speakers, board members, staff, and
2013 Commitment to Education Awardee,
volunteers we were able to raise essential
Community College of Philadelphia.
funds to support our families in breaking
We would like to give special thanks to
the cycle of poverty and overcoming
PNC Bank for their third year as Presenting
impossible hurdles.
Sponsor and to Urban Outfitters, Inc. for
ACHIEVEability Newsletter
FALL - WINTER 2013
E D U C A T I O N . H O U S I N G . S E L F - S U F F I C I E N C Y.
their invaluable support and in-kind
donation. Please visit the newsroom
page on our website to learn more about
the long list of generous individuals and
organizations that made the night possible.
We are already beginning to plan an
even better experience for our guests and
sponsors. We hope to see you get involved
in the fun on March 22.
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