Today we’d like to introduce you to Rochelle Parker.
Hi Rochelle, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I was introduced to non-profit organizations and community service at an early age through church and opportunities in my school district. It was extremely important to my mother that I serve others. I never thought about serving as a career, so I went to Fisk University to study Financial Economics. I planned to be a stockbroker in New York, but not many people looked like me in that role. I completed an internship at the Bayer Corporation through INROADS Kansas City, Inc., allowing me to get a snapshot of a company’s marketing, research and development, accounting, and financial functions. Undecided about my life after college, my mentor Bob Grant told me that if I could follow the money in an organization, I could lead that organization. His insight was fascinating to me. I just knew that instead of working with numbers all day, I wanted a career where I could wear bright colors to work if I wanted to and a career where I could talk to people and help people. My first job out of undergrad was at the Full Employment Council. I excelled at marketing and workforce development which opened the doors for me to do business development for the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City and other organizations. The skills I gained in business development then led to a career in fundraising. The organization I currently lead was looking for a fundraiser and someone who understood organizational finance and other administration functions. Eight years later, I serve the Child Abuse Prevention Association (CAPA) as its President & CEO, ensuring its fiscal, operations, fundraising, marketing, human resources, and technology strategies are effectively implemented across the organization.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been typical challenges, but overall, the road has been smooth. I have been fortunate to have people in my professional life who invested in me and encouraged me to shine. I have also had people who believe in me and stretch me in my personal life. A few of them want to stretch me more! There were no handouts, so it is by the grace of God that I have been given the opportunities I have. I recall having a conversation with a recruiter in my early 30s who told me that I would not lead an organization until I was at least 50 years old. His lack of interest in helping me is what still fuels me to this day. I became an Executive Director at the age of 37, and he was the first person I mailed a thank you note along with my business card. If I had to name another challenge, I would say that work-life balance is always top of mine for working moms. I have an amazing husband and even more amazing children who support me. I have had positions where I can be home for dinner at least 360 days out of the year, and I can attend every one of my children’s school events. That sometimes involves advocating for myself.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
So many experiences shape who we are, and many happen outside of work hours. After being a mother, one of my most incredible experiences is being a youth ministry leader at my church. Since I came home from college, I have worked with teenagers in ministry. Keeping up with today’s urban slang, the latest emojis, gospel rap songs, and the ever-evolving social media platforms gives me this amazing balance. I still lead in this role, but I lead groups of teenagers who want to be led, despite what we often hear about today’s youth. Teenagers are at a critical crossroads, and I am grateful to be with them on their journey. So, whether it is helping them understand a scripture, editing their scholarship essay, or encouraging them that life is worth living, I do not take this responsibility lightly. The same light that I share with teens throughout the week is the same light that permeates my work. I stopped counting the number of times people have asked me about my unshakeable hope. As a believer, my whole life is rooted in hope. Hope that people have their basic needs met. Hope that children grow up in safe and healthy homes. And hope that I am equipped for whatever the day’s journey is.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The needs of our community are changing so fast that it can be hard to keep up. World crises like pandemics and wars add another layer of trauma that individuals and families must navigate on top of everyday struggles related to food, clothing, shelter, and employment. In the next 5-10 years, our workforce will look different, and how we meet the needs of our community will look different. I imagine fewer office spaces and fewer in-person services. I imagine more technology, like the Metaverse, allowing us to serve people worldwide and not just in our city. There is value in community-based services, but I have seen organizations in my sector have answers and solutions that are so dynamic that they could be used to solve a worldwide issue. There would have to be a convening of the world’s greatest minds in our sector for that to happen, but it can be done. Another shift will be the value that is put on post-secondary education. Each sector will have to decide what form of education is needed for their organization, thereby increasing the need for structured on-the-job-training programs. Lastly, bitcoin will be the dominant currency. As it relates to me personally, my husband and I will be empty nesters. I will have completed my Doctor of Business Administration degree, earning the title of Dr. Rochelle. And I envision having helped inspire, motivate, and encourage numerous businesses and individuals to succeed through practicing the principles of integrity, transparency, and servant leadership.
Contact Info:
- Email: rparker@capacares.org
