We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kathleen Benyak. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kathleen below.
Kathleen, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
It took some time. When I was young, just out of school and focused on trying to land a job and pay my bills, I was mostly concerned about my own (and my spouse’s) needs. It was a self-centered bubble. That’s not to say that I didn’t care about or try to help others. I was very earnest to do my very best for my job. But volunteering and philanthropic work did not play a large role in my life at that time.
Fast forward 25 years when my husband (now together for 41 years) and I relocated to Arizona. I gave up my career back east and with my husband still working out here, I finally felt the freedom to take jobs that just helped others either with their businesses, regardless of salary, or volunteering for nonprofits. They became the happiest jobs I’ve ever held. It freed my soul and made me understand that fulfillment comes from being a part of something that helps others. All of the retirees or others I’ve met that volunteer and give back to the community understand this and they are happy and whole in their lives. I’m fortunate and grateful to be in a position to do this.
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?
I have several passions that I pursue. I’m passionate about birds, wildlife and conserving/preserving the environment by which they (and all of us) can thrive. I have spent time volunteering for bird/wildlife rescue and currently volunteer for the Tucson Audubon Society in roles that engage the public. Prior to that I volunteered for 4 years at the Tucson VA hospital as well as at a SE AZ animal shelter. I also currently volunteer and lend financial support as a board member for The Forgotten Children organization which has recently opened a boarding school for impoverished children in Senegal. Other organizations that we support include The Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, Best Friends Animal Rescue, other local animal rescue groups and The Chiricahua Apache Nation Ft. Bayard Cultural Center.
My other passion is art. I am an abstract painter working in many different mediums and have a website that offers my work for sale, www.kathleenbenyakart.
During the Covid lockdown, I created an commission-free online gallery that included the work of my artist friends that were also volunteers and gave back to the community. I taught myself how to design and build websites and am proud of the Heartworks Gallery website I created and the encouragement it provided to my artist friends to keep painting during that difficult and isolating time. All sales went directly to the artists.
I have plans to open a retail art gallery in Tucson that features the abstract artwork produced by me and my artist friends who are not currently represented by other galleries. It will also feature a resale furniture/art objects section. I enjoy interfacing with the public and want to develop community with my up and coming gallery. Please stay tuned.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
My college education as an architect and my career in commercial interior design gave me planning and problem solving skills. I grew up in a family with parents who encouraged my interest in art and creative endeavors. In highschool, I was an attentive student and my parents’ and teacher’s encouragement helped build my self-esteem. I consider this essential to the things I’ve been able to achieve in life like a good career and sense of responsibility. I realize not everyone has the benefit of family and parental support and am grateful for what I had growing up.
My advice to young folks starting their journeys, their careers, is to take full responsibility for yourself, your behavior and your job, no matter what type of job or salary level you are at. Do your very best, feel good about your contribution and own it. You will be recognized. Learn financial responsibility and what a credit rating means and how it will impact your life ahead of you. Try to be considerate and have compassion for others.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us who has been the most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop essential skills, qualities or the knowledge you needed to be successful?
I’ve been shaped by so many personal and professional relationships, jobs and situations, that it would be difficult for me to attribute my accomplishments to one or a few. My on-the-job training in all of my career and post-career positions account for a lot of what I’ve learned, including people-interface skills. In general, I think I have made the biggest leaps in skill and maturity via criticism from others. Those lessons continue.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kathleenbenyakart.com www.heartworks-gallery.com
- Other: [email protected] 520-645-5600
