COMMUNITY & CULTURE
TAKE IT FROM ME … with Debra Hollingsworth
COMMUNITY LEADER AND VOLUNTEER . EVEN-KEELED . ADMIRED .
By Diane Kline
In the competitive world of business , Debra Hollingsworth managed to successfully climb the corporate ladder . And while doing so , her classy and compassionate approach has earned the respect and admiration of those who know her .
For 35 years , Hollingsworth was a fixture at AT & T ( previously Southwestern Bell ), working in such diverse areas as regulatory , wholesale marketing , network and external affairs .
As regional vice president of external affairs ( the position she held before retiring in 2013 ), Hollingsworth was widely known throughout the region for her role in funding nonprofits through the AT & T Foundation . Her days then ( and now ) are spent moving swiftly from meetings to events – dressed in her signature sophisticated suits – as part of the multiple roles she assumes , be it working on special committees , sitting on several boards , or chairing fundraisers .
A graduate of Texas A & M University , which she attended on scholarship , Hollingsworth studied communications , journalism and education . She and her husband , Mark Stacey , are parents to two grown daughters , and grandparents to two young girls . Hollingsworth shared some of her philosophies on work , dedication and retirement .
We ’ re all doing the best we can Whenever there ’ s a conflict , I try to see things from the other person ’ s point of view . It ’ s not always easy , but it helps to stay calm so you can work things through . There are so many terrific people in all walks of life , and it ’ s a joy to work with them because they have so much to offer .
Education is the most valuable opportunity I grew up in New Mexico . My grandparents were homesteaders , and they didn ’ t have much . But they knew the value of education because nobody can take it away from you . In fact , my grandfather made my older sister promise to help me financially so I could go to college . And she did ! They also made it clear that in return , I had to help others achieve their goals .
For corporate funding , I had to be a matchmaker Being in charge of funding at the AT & T Foundation , I wanted to help everybody , but had to ignore my personal interests . We worked with those organizations whose missions matched our corporate goals and objectives . Nonprofits have to do their homework so they understand the donors . In all my years , there was only one group that ever asked , “ What can we do for you ?” My answer was simply , “ Continue the good work you ’ re doing .”
How on earth am I going to do this ? I was apprehensive when I accepted certain positions because I knew I didn ’ t have all the skills the work required . But that didn ’ t stop me . Even if I wasn ’ t comfortable , I was always able to figure out a way to contribute , while making the job fit me – and in fact , make the job more valuable to the company . Then I hated to move on .
Talk to people who are different from you To make our community stronger , we have to build relationships . That starts with working with people who are different from us in order to understand each other . Let ’ s stop letting things divide us – buying into the division – because we ’ re people who share similarities .
Don ’ t just do the minimum My parents taught me to do more than was expected . My mother said , “ You ’ ll learn more if you do more than the minimum .” People figured out that if they gave me an assignment or a job to do , that I would give them just a little bit more than they had asked of me . It taught me to under-promise and over-deliver .
The best experiences are when you ’ re with other people Mark and I have been married for 23 years . We both worked at Southwestern Bell , and friends introduced us . What makes it work ? Mutual respect . We want the best for each other ; we have each other ’ s back . What makes it hard ? Navigating when circumstances change : aging , job changes , children growing up , and loss of parents , just to name a few .
You have to be enough When you first retire , it ’ s odd not to have a schedule . You ’ re not rushing all day long . There ’ s no need to live or die by the clock . But you struggle with who you are . You don ’ t have a title anymore or a company behind you . In retirement , you have to know you are enough .
78 GAZELLE STL