Her Story
About Abby
Abby has been working in the field of social services since 2011. She currently holds the title of Senior Housing Planner, a position she has occupied for one year and nine months. Throughout her career, Abby has supported various populations through roles in Head Start programming, work with refugees, energy efficiency initiatives, and housing, with most of her experience falling within the scope of local or federal government work. She manages two federal housing projects, one involving a development block grant for community housing projects and another focused on system improvements for youth homelessness. Abby draws inspiration from a desire to give back and support those facing challenges, a value reinforced by her service in the Peace Corps in Panama as an environmental volunteer, where she built community relationships and contributed to local school projects.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Abby
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The other people in the room with you are not smarter or better than you. Especially as a young woman, I always felt like I didn't have as much to offer or wasn't as smart. That attitude really shaped what I ended up being able to contribute. Now that I'm more confident and know what I can offer, I recognize I was kind of limiting myself with those beliefs. Just having that confidence and belief in yourself is going to shine through.
02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Just about any vantage point you take when it comes to housing is pretty much a crisis situation. Affordable housing is so limited. For anyone experiencing a housing crisis, your options are slim, and support for those who end up without housing is also very limited. At the local and federal government level, funding is tighter and tighter.
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