Welcome to another post in our installment of “Meet the TeamMates Staff”. Today you will have the opportunity to meet the 5 TeamMates Regional Coordinators.
Gigi Inness, Eastern Regional Coordinators
What do you get paid to do? As a regional coordinator, I work closely with the local program leadership in Eastern Nebraska, Iowa and California, to strengthen their mentoring efforts. I also review the applications any new community wishing to start a TeamMates program and am leading the strategic initiative for Iowa Expansion. Support for other Regional Coordinators, the content of the Annual Partnership Meeting and other organizational details fall into my job description also.
Where do you mentor? Millard Public Schools
What do you like to do with your mentee? My mentee and I have been meeting weekly for a little more than a year. We have had fun getting to know each other and I have discovered she loves projects! We did some crafting for the holidays, helped the school with a mailing, and she helped with the scavenger hunt at the zoo. We also like to look through her photos and talk about her pets and family.
What are some of your favorite free time activities? I love to travel–especially to places where my family and friends reside. I also collect McCoy pottery and annually attend the largest flea market in the U.S. in Hillsville, Virginia in search of items to add to my collection. I like to bake and have a flower garden and read and do Pilates, but there never seems to be enough time for it all!
Interesting facts? I am a new GRANDPARENT! Our oldest daughter and her husband just had a baby boy, Gunnar. Since I had only daughters I will be learning a lot about boys and have been told to prepare for bugs and sports and other new adventures!
Gallup Strengths: Input, Maximizer, Relator, Intellection, Developer
Annette Woodhead, Western Regional Coordinator
What do you get paid to do? I get paid to be in relationship with my coordinators, boards, mentors, etc. and build new relationships. I am also in charge of organizing the TeamMates Day in Chadron and for the Leadership Summit.
Where do you mentor? North Platte
What do you like to do with your mentee? We have made crafts, made special decorations for holidays, have made some desserts, as well as just talking about college and anything fun we can think of.
What are some of your favorite free time activities? Spending time with our 5 children, 2 daughter inlaws and granddaughter. I love to sew which I don’t get much time for, and antique and garage sale for our 120 year old house.
Interesting facts? Before working with TeamMates I was a stay at home mom for 25 years and had an altering/sewing business in my home. Woody and I were the FCA leaders for many years and mentored about 50 kids on our own.
Gallup Strengths: Responsibility, Belief, Developer, Positivity, Achiever
Allyson Horne, Southern Regional Coordiantors and Match Strength Coordinator
What do you get paid to do? My role within TeamMates is to empower matches with Gallup strengths awareness, as well as provide training and continuing education for communities. I am also the regional coordinator for the Southern region, where I assist chapters in a variety of ways. I feel a great privilege in being able to do what I love every day!
Where do you mentor? Thayer Central
What do you like to do with your mentee? Beverly and I enjoy lots of activities together – you will often find us playing Guess Who or Jenga, working on bracelets or drawing, playing extreme ping pong or throwing the football around. Beverly has been patient with me and has taught me so much!
What are some of your favorite free time activities? Keeping up with my daughter and son, spending time with my big family, running, enjoying good music, trying new food, reading, and occasional writing. Always learning!
Any other interesting facts or tidbits to share? Obtaining my certficate in strength-based education has been one of the most phenomenal learning experiences of my life. I am not only more aware of my own unique talents, but I am more equipped to help other people discover their strengths and honor them. Life is much simpler when you focus on the good!
Gallup Strengths: Input, Communication, Strategic, Woo, Empathy
Sue Kennedy, Central Regional Coordiantors
What do you get paid to do? I enjoy getting to know the people so I get paid to do what I love! I support 40 program coordinators in the Central Region. These coordinators are passionate and committed to the success of their programs. I am there to support, provide training, listen and brainstorm. I have a passion for technology so am comfortable with Civicore and am able to assist with questions and help run reports. Bringing new chapters on has been fun, I enjoy helping the new communities understand how TeamMates can make a difference!
Where do you mentor? Millard Public Schools
What do you like to do with your mentee? My mentee and I played games like battleship, Guess Who, Jenga, etc. when we were first getting to know each other. We read the newspaper and talked about things that were going on locally as well as around the world. We did a service project with Open Door Mission and made a tie blanket last fall and then challenged other matches in our building to do the same! We enjoy walking around the track and chatting it up! And whenever the gym is open we are shooting hoops!
What are some of your favorite free time activities? I enjoy spending time with my family, attending or watching sports especially baseball, traveling and have a passion for photography. I like to golf, fish and just love being outdoors. I am blessed with two children, Tyler (20) and Katie (17). I enjoy getting involved and attending whatever activities, clubs or sporting events that they choose. Tyler plays baseball and attends college at Iowa Western CC and Katie is a junior in high school. Just two weeks ago…Iowa Western baseball team won the 2012 Junior College World Series played in Grand Junction, CO.!
Any other interesting facts or tidbits to share? I grew up on a ranch 7 miles north of Bartlett, NE. I love horses especially Thoroughbreds and Quarterhorses. I’m a country girl!
Gallup Strengths: Positivity, Includer, Woo, Arranger, Futuristic
Kelly Sears, Metro Regional Coordiantors
What do you get paid to do? I have the great pleasure of supporting 10 metro area chapters working closely with program coordinators to help grow their program, strengthen their board and have an impact on the lives of their matches. Working closely with the Metro board, I ensure program quality, fiscal responsibility and recruitent are all strong. Establishing partnerships with community agencies and corporations is also an important part of our success. Providing links to financial and human resources is the final link in my role.
Where do you mentor? Council Bluffs
What do you like to do with your mentee? I just met my mentee on the last day of school this year, so I’m looking forward to talking, playing games, shooting hoops, walking around the school and working on projects and goals with my mentee.
What are some of your favorite free time activities? I enjoy attending sporting events my kids are involved in, fishing, camping and boating with my family, jogging with my friends, road trips to new places and Nebraska football. Oh and of course shopping.
Any other interesting facts or tidbits to share? Help a kid whenever you can, as you never know what words or actions will make a difference for their future.
Gallup Strengths: Arranger, Belief, Communication, Relator, Includer
We hope you enjoyed learning about more of the TeamMates staff! Look forward to more posts about the rest of the TeamMates staff.
Other “Meet the Staff” Posts:
