We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Beth Heckel Founder and executive director. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Beth Heckel below.
How do you persist despite the haters, nay-sayers, etc?
Of all the interview questions, this one stood out to me. My persistence is sometimes pushed because of the nay-sayers, so I cannot say that it was or is a negative thing in my life. Of course, at the time, negative people bother me, but one thing it never did was to stop me from reaching towards a goal.
The next part of the interview is where we’d love to learn more about you, your story and what you are focused on professionally – whether it’s a business, nonprofit, artistic career etc. Please tell our readers about what you do, what you feel is most exciting or special about it, as well as anything else you’d like folks to know about your brand/art/etc. If relevant, please also tell our readers about anything new (events, product/service launches, expansion, etc)
The past 17 years of my life has been dedicated to growing a nonprofit organization. Watching it grow has been an amazing part of my life. My husband says, “We are in the middle of a miracle,” and he is right. We began by giving out mosquito nets to help fight malaria in a refugee camp in Uganda. Soon we began helping children to leave the camp to attend school in the Ugandan school system, about 50 miles away. Eventually we constructed water wells to provide clean water in refugee camps and underdeveloped villages where they were experiencing many of the same challenges as refugees. In 2012 we opened a hostel where girls from many different nations and tribes lived together and walked to a nearby school. I like to look back on those days because it reminds me of where we began and how far we have come. It has taken a lot of work, but work based on passion. The organization continues to provide health care, clean water, education, and socio-economic development but the main emphasis goes towards girl education. It is really where my heart is, and as one follows our history, it is evident that this is where it has gone. In 2022, Think Humanity Secondary School was opened. The girls come from as many as 5-6 different districts in Uganda. They are chosen based on needs, recommendations, leadership, and primary exit exams. I just returned from spending another month in Uganda and we were so busy, but the main focus was at the school and events there. We celebrated another student’s university graduation. She is a pharmacist. We have made a positive impact in Uganda by graduating teachers, nurses, tailors, a procurement officer, and others. While in Uganda we also held our 11th Annual Women’s Leadership Summit where the theme was “Unlock Your Potential.” Each year we have a woman key-note speaker from Uganda. This year we had a woman who is studying to become a pilot. A woman pilot is rare but what an impact this was for the young ladies.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The qualities that were most impactful in my journey has to be determination, passion, and a strong work ethic. For those who are just starting out on their dream path, I would say to have a strong love for what you are doing and stay devoted to it. If you find yourself questioning it, then stop and ask yourself if this is the direction that you want to go with your life or organization. It is okay to make changes along the way as long as you stay with your mission and vision.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful things that my parents did for me spans different aspects of my life. Starting with my mother who instilled love, a positive attitude, to be generous, and to treat one another with kindness. Despite the fact that she grew up in foster care, she learned to be grateful for all things and to all different people. My father taught me my work ethic. No job was too small and everything that you do, do it with 100 percent. Quality is the word that comes to mind. I was one of five baby boomer children when life was much simpler. I know that there was nothing basic that I didn’t have, even if my father had to work extra hours. I guess you would say that I was blessed to grow up in my family and I want to be able to bless others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thinkhumanity.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkhumanity
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThinkHumanityInc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-heckel-66223b9
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThinkHumanity
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIOhM28muc5J9jgzUJ7NEiw
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
