Many of you have undoubtedly met Lou Williams at Grant Award Night and other events, and through her leadership positions in Impact San Antonio. We talked to her recently about what drew her to Impact SA and why she is proud to be a member.
- When did you join Impact San Antonio?
I joined Impact SA in 2015, and jumped in immediately to co-chair the Environment, Recreation & Preservation Grant Review Committee. As a former teacher and chair of the counseling department at a Northside (ISD) high school, I had come in contact with many education- and family-oriented agencies. But most of the agencies in our applicant pool were new to me, providing refreshing insights to our community.
- Who or what inspired you to join?
(Then-member) Lenna Baxter invited me to a welcome gathering at the Witte Museum. Learning about Impact SA there and meeting the impressively organized and enthusiastic women involved convinced me that I’d like to work with them.
- What leadership positions have you held in Impact SA, and what were your duties?
I have served as a Grant Review Co-chair every year but one since joining Impact SA, an experience that is instrumental in providing a deeper awareness of the nonprofit service in our community, the passion of those serving and the amazing outcomes achieved. I served on the Impact Board as Co-Chair of Oversight & Outcomes, working with recipient agencies and developing processes with and through the liaisons for oversight and support of the work of the agencies in the community. It became clear that by developing those processes we can leverage both the profile of the agencies and that of Impact SA for support and awareness in the community. When we added the role of liaison coordinator, I began working more closely in recruiting liaisons and working with them to develop the skills and relationships that enhance the outcomes for all.
- What have you enjoyed most about your time in Impact SA?
I’m a person who loves interaction with people, especially those who seek to make the lives of others better. I find Impact SA to be a collection of women who share a common desire and an extraordinary set of skills that are successfully focused toward that goal.
- What impresses you most about Impact SA?
It is a group of women who relish community and connection while employing skills and organization that set a high bar to make good things happen for others. The impact of a relatively small dollar amount per person is extraordinary when we connect, communicate and collaborate with the community.
- What does the work that Impact SA does in the community mean to you?
I’m grateful and humbled for the opportunity to serve in such an organization.
- Anything else you’d like to add?
I’m extremely grateful for the ways in which our leadership has assessed the impact of the current health challenges on our community and quickly modified our procedures to respond to those challenges.
