Meet Deborah Hornick

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Deborah Hornick. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Deborah below.

Deborah, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

I have developed self-esteem and confidence through growth, life experiences, and living with purpose. It has been a journey that has been particularly enriching through my extensive experience as a pageant title holder for over 30 years, becoming a mother, living through love, divorce and finding love again, and achieving career goals such as a Director for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
This is how I have enhanced my self-esteem and confidence:

1. **Acknowledge Your Achievements:** Reflect on your accomplishments over the past 30 years as a pageant title holder and director for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Recognize the impact you’ve had on others’ lives and the leadership roles you’ve taken on.

2. **Define Your Personal Values:** Clarify what values are most important to you in your roles as a mother, director, and community leader. Living in alignment with these values can provide a strong foundation for building self-esteem and confidence.

3. **Set Meaningful Goals:** Identify personal and professional goals that are aligned with your purpose and values. Break these goals down into smaller, achievable steps that you can work towards over time.

4. **Celebrate Your Strengths:** Acknowledge and celebrate your strengths and skills that have contributed to your success in your various roles. This can help reinforce a positive self-image and boost self-confidence.

5. **Embrace Growth Mindset:** Adopt a growth mindset, viewing challenges and setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth rather than obstacles. This mindset encourages resilience and can bolster self-esteem.

6. **Seek Continuous Learning:** Stay curious and open to new experiences. Engage in activities that stimulate personal and professional growth, whether through workshops, courses, or networking opportunities.

7. **Practice Self-Compassion:** Be kind and compassionate towards yourself, especially during times of difficulty or when facing self-doubt. Treat yourself with the same empathy you would offer to a friend.

8. **Surround Yourself with Supportive People:** Build a network of supportive individuals who uplift and encourage you in your journey. Seek out mentors, friends, or colleagues who inspire and believe in your potential.

9. **Give Back to Others:** Continue your work with Big Brothers Big Sisters or other community initiatives that align with your values. Contributing to causes you care about can deepen your sense of purpose and fulfillment.

10. **Take Care of Your Well-being:** Prioritize self-care activities that nurture your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. When you feel good physically and mentally, your confidence and self-esteem are likely to flourish.

By integrating these strategies into my life, I have further cultivated my self-esteem and confidence while continuing to live with purpose and make a positive impact in my community and beyond.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

As the Director for Big Brothers Big Sisters, my role revolves around orchestrating initiatives that significantly enhance community awareness, funding, and overall impact. Here’s a detailed description of what I do:

1. **Strategic Leadership:** I provide strategic direction to the organization, aligning our goals with the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters. This involves developing long-term plans and objectives aimed at expanding our reach and effectiveness in the community.

2. **Fundraising and Development:** I spearhead fundraising efforts by cultivating relationships with donors, corporate sponsors, and community partners. This includes organizing fundraising events, grant writing, and implementing donor stewardship strategies to secure financial support for our programs.

3. **Public Relations and Marketing:** I oversee public relations initiatives to raise awareness of Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mission and impact. This involves media outreach, social media management, and creating marketing campaigns to engage the community and attract volunteers and donors.

4. **Program Management:** I ensure the successful implementation and management of mentoring programs. This includes recruiting, screening, and training volunteers (Big Brothers and Big Sisters) and matching them with youth (Littles) to form mentoring relationships that positively impact their lives.

5. **Community Engagement:** I collaborate with local schools, businesses, and community organizations to promote partnerships and collaborations that benefit our programs. This includes organizing community events, workshops, and awareness campaigns to advocate for youth mentoring and recruit volunteers.

6. **Impact Assessment and Reporting:** I monitor and evaluate the outcomes of our programs to assess their effectiveness and impact on youth development. I prepare reports and presentations for stakeholders, demonstrating the value and importance of mentoring in our community.

7. **Advocacy:** I advocate for policies and initiatives that support youth mentoring and child development at local, state, and national levels. This involves engaging policymakers, participating in advocacy campaigns, and serving as a spokesperson for the organization.

Overall, my role as Director for Big Brothers Big Sisters is dedicated to creating positive change in the community through effective leadership, strategic planning, and fostering partnerships that support the growth and well-being of youth through mentoring relationships.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

3 qualities that I believe are most important to have as a leader in non-profit:

1. **Strategic Thinking and Planning:** The ability to strategically plan and think ahead is crucial for effectively managing knowledge. This involves understanding the organization’s goals and objectives, anticipating future needs, and devising plans to acquire, store, and disseminate knowledge effectively. Strategic thinking ensures that knowledge management efforts are aligned with the organization’s overall mission and contribute to its long-term success.

2. **Communication and Collaboration:** Strong communication skills are essential for knowledge management. This includes not only the ability to articulate ideas clearly but also to actively listen and facilitate discussions among team members and stakeholders. Collaboration skills are equally important, as knowledge management often requires working across different departments or teams to share information, solve problems, and implement initiatives that enhance organizational learning and innovation.

3. **Adaptability and Continuous Learning:** The landscape of knowledge management is constantly evolving with new technologies, methodologies, and best practices. Therefore, being adaptable and open to learning is crucial. This involves staying updated on industry trends, experimenting with new tools and techniques, and being willing to adapt strategies based on feedback and changing circumstances. Continuous learning ensures that knowledge management practices remain effective and relevant in an ever-changing environment.

By cultivating these qualities and skills, I can enhance my ability to manage knowledge effectively at Big Brothers Big Sisters, ultimately contributing to the organization’s mission of making a positive impact in the community through mentoring relationships.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

As the Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters, I am actively seeking partnerships and collaborations with organizations that share our commitment to youth development and community empowerment. Here are the types of organizations we are looking to collaborate with:

1. **Educational Institutions:** Schools, colleges, and universities interested in promoting mentoring programs or providing educational resources and opportunities for youth.

2. **Corporate Partners:** Businesses and corporations looking to support community initiatives through sponsorships, employee volunteering, or fundraising events.

3. **Nonprofit Organizations:** Other nonprofits focusing on youth services, education, or community development, where collaboration can amplify our impact and reach.

4. **Government Agencies:** Local, state, or federal government agencies involved in youth welfare, education, or social services, to advocate for policies supporting youth mentoring and development.

5. **Community Groups:** Civic organizations, neighborhood associations, or community centers interested in hosting mentoring activities or supporting youth-related events.

We welcome discussions on how we can work together to create positive change and provide meaningful opportunities for youth in our community. Whether it’s through joint initiatives, shared resources, or volunteer partnerships, we look forward to connecting with organizations that share our vision of empowering youth through mentoring relationships.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.capbigs.org
• Instagram: bbbscapregion
• Facebook: Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region
• Linkedin: Deborah Hornick

Image Credits

Matty Jacobson for pageant headshot