Her Story
About Autumn
From a young age, I knew I wanted a career centered around service, whether through the military or public safety. My mother owned a uniform supply store when I was growing up, so I was immersed in that environment early on and developed a deep respect for those who serve their communities.
I began my career as a 911 dispatcher before pursuing certifications and experience in law enforcement, fire service, and EMS. After years in public safety, I realized that if I wanted to continue growing professionally and move into leadership roles, I needed to further my education. I went back to school and earned degrees in Fire Protection Technology, Occupational Safety and Health, Public Administration and Emergency Management, and Fire Administration.
Those experiences and educational backgrounds ultimately led me to my current role as Director of Safety and Asset Protection at Goodwill North Central Texas, where I am able to combine every aspect of my career into one position. I oversee a team of five employees responsible for safety operations across approximately 40 locations. My responsibilities include conducting inspections based on OSHA, city, state, and national standards; managing workers’ compensation claims; coordinating with fire and law enforcement agencies on investigations and security footage requests; and addressing retail asset protection concerns such as theft and workplace safety incidents.
I also serve as the organization’s CPR, First Aid, and AED instructor, certifying leadership staff throughout the company. One of my proudest accomplishments was securing a grant that allowed Goodwill North Central Texas to become the first retail organization to implement Avive AEDs across its facilities, significantly increasing access to lifesaving equipment and training.
In addition to my professional role, I volunteer in emergency management through the fire department, where I assist with emergency action planning and serve on the CERT team. What I enjoy most about my career is that it allows me to remain connected to every area I’m passionate about, fire service, emergency management, medical response, employee safety, and public service — all while making a direct impact on both employees and the community.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Autumn
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to my grandparents, Craig and Barbara. They believed in me from the very beginning and pushed me to pursue every opportunity possible. Whether it was a college program, certification course, or professional goal, they encouraged me to go after it and supported me every step of the way, emotionally, personally, and financially. Without their unwavering support and belief in me, I would not have been able to pursue the education and training that ultimately shaped my career and opened so many doors for me.
Of course, a girl’s mom and sister are always some of her biggest cheerleaders, and I have been incredibly fortunate to have that support system throughout my life as well.
I am also incredibly grateful for my husband, David, who is a 20-year firefighter. His support, understanding, and encouragement have given me the confidence and courage to continue growing professionally and personally in demanding public safety and leadership roles.
Lastly, I credit my boss, Jeffrey, for being a major driving force behind my career advancement. His mentorship, leadership, and confidence in my abilities have challenged me to continue pushing myself professionally and pursuing opportunities I may not have otherwise considered.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was, “You do not know it all.” That advice taught me early on to never stop learning and to never become too comfortable where I am professionally. I was told that experience alone would only take me so far, and that if I truly wanted to continue advancing, I needed to constantly grow through education, certifications, and new challenges.
That mindset completely shaped my career path. It pushed me to return to school, earn multiple degrees, pursue certifications across several areas of public safety and safety management, and step into leadership opportunities that were often outside of my comfort zone. More importantly, it taught me that real growth happens when you are willing to adapt, ask questions, accept that there is always more to learn, and continue improving yourself even after achieving success.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don’t wait for a moment where you suddenly feel completely ready, because it rarely comes. Step forward anyway and trust in the Lord. Leadership is not reserved for the loudest voice in the room or the person with the perfect résumé. It is built in the moments where you choose courage over doubt and service over fear. Trust the gifts, instincts, and perspective you were given. The world does not need more people standing on the sidelines waiting for permission. It needs leaders willing to answer the call, especially in the moments that matter most.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is funding. Working in both the nonprofit sector and emergency management/public safety environments means constantly balancing critical safety needs against limited budgets. Safety equipment, training, staffing, emergency preparedness initiatives, and technology upgrades are all extremely important, but funding is often limited and requires careful prioritization.
At the same time, those challenges create opportunities for us to become more involved in our communities. Limited funding often pushes organizations to build stronger partnerships, seek grants, collaborate with local agencies, and increase public outreach efforts. It creates opportunities to educate the community, strengthen relationships, and find creative ways to improve safety and preparedness without relying solely on large budgets.
I have learned that some of the most meaningful progress comes from collaboration and community involvement. For example, securing grant funding allowed us to implement Avive AEDs across Goodwill facilities, significantly increasing emergency preparedness and access to lifesaving equipment.
In smaller organizations and cities, people often wear multiple hats, which can be challenging but also incredibly rewarding because it allows you to make a direct and visible impact on both employees and the community.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
One of the values that is most important to me in both my professional and personal life is steadfastness. I believe in being dependable, resilient, and committed even when situations become difficult or uncomfortable. Whether it is supporting my team, serving my community, continuing my education, or maintaining relationships, I believe consistency and perseverance matter.
In my career, steadfastness means remaining calm under pressure, following through on commitments, and continuing to learn and adapt through challenges. In my personal life, it means being loyal to the people I care about, staying grounded in my values, and continuing to push forward even during difficult seasons. I believe steadfastness builds trust, character, and long-term success both professionally and personally.
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