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I believe we last connected in 2019 when Hyla Lipson introduced us. At the time, I was interested in learning more about the Rotary Peace Fellowship as I prepared to graduate from UO. I’m happy to share my story with you and express my gratitude to Rotary for its impact on my journey.
While my story is long, I’ll provide a shorter version. I explored other opportunities since I wasn’t yet eligible for the Peace Fellowship.
In late 2019, I was accepted into the Peace Corps to serve as a Youth Development Coordinator in Ukraine. I received my visa in March 2020 and was set to depart in August for a two-year stay. However, as you know, the world changed, and my plans were canceled. So, I pivoted and looked for new opportunities.
I decided to take my savings, move to Washington, D.C., and give myself two months to find a job. Fortunately, I landed a position with the Association of Corporate Counsel. After a year in D.C., I returned to Eugene to work in Development at UO, where I stayed for two years.
Last December, I accepted a frontline fundraising position with NYU. I now live in Manhattan and work with alums and parents on their philanthropic priorities in Northern California, the Pacific Northwest, and Westchester County, NY. Since joining NYU, I’ve helped raise over $500K for student scholarships and research. Additionally, as a full-time employee, NYU will cover the cost of my master’s degree, which I plan to pursue next year.
Life has taken many unexpected twists and turns, but my experience as a Rotary Youth Exchange student in high school was pivotal. It reshaped my perspective on the world and influenced my goals for the future.
I am deeply grateful to the Rotary Club of Grants Pass for supporting my high school exchange and for the scholarship I received to study abroad in college.
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