Fabiola Duncan

I attribute my success first and foremost to my faith, which is my number one value and source of strength, especially in this demanding work. Growing up, I had mentors and coaches who took me in as their own and showed me what it means to give back, and my father worked as a private investigator for DCF, so I always had examples of people helping those in need. That experience of receiving help from people with hearts to give back instilled in me a pay-it-forward mentality that has guided my entire career. I have always had that need to want to help those who needed the help, and if they could do it for me, I knew I could do it for someone else. Throughout my journey, I have learned the importance of community and making sure I am getting poured into just as much as I am pouring out, so that my cup is always filled and I can continue to fill others. One of the most meaningful moments in my career came when a former student I worked with in middle school, who was probably one of my most challenging students dealing with severe trauma, found me on Facebook years later to thank me. She told me I was the reason why she went to college and got her master's in social work from Florida State University. She said that even though she was being mean and disrespectful and pushing back, I still showed up every day and showed her that I cared. That moment reminded me that even when you think you are not making a difference, showing up consistently with love and care can transform lives. I have learned to be realistic and focus on helping one person at a time rather than trying to save everyone, because if you help one person, you have done a lot, and that is enough.

The best career advice I have ever received is definitely just paying it forward. I hold onto the fact that I am no different than anyone else, and what I was able to receive, I am now able to give, and that is what makes it a blessing. The hope is that whoever I am able to extend my hand to, they are able to do the same for someone else. I truly believe that if everyone just adopted that mindset and paid it forward, this world would be a better place. There is no need to be selfish - if you are able to do it, just do it. That principle has guided everything I do in my career and my life.

I would encourage young women entering this field to be realistic with themselves and understand that you cannot try to save everything and save everyone - that is just unrealistic. When I first started right out of college, I wanted to open up an orphanage, I wanted to grab all the kids, I wanted to adopt all of them. I remember coming home telling my mom I wanted to adopt all these kids because I was carrying the weight of all of their traumas and all of their things. But then I had to realize and be honest with myself that I am not God, and it is impossible for me to do all these things. I think it is critical to know that sometimes it is not about trying to change everybody and everything, but focusing on the one. If you help one person, you did a lot, and that is enough. Do not beat yourself up or overwhelm yourself thinking you have to save everyone. Focus on one life at a time, one heart at a time, one kid at a time - like crawl before you walk. Also, make time for yourself because you will get lost in the sauce when you are so bogged down with all the things. This work is non-stop, and there is always going to be someone that needs something, so pace yourself and make time to rejuvenate and reconnect with yourself before going back out there to try to save the world.

One of the biggest challenges in our field right now is the rising cost of everything, especially the cost of rent in Florida, the rising cost of gas, and all the other expenses. It is just astronomical out here, and there is always going to be something that needs to be done and someone who needs help. It truly takes a village to address these challenges. As far as opportunities, they are endless, especially in the nonprofit sector and especially for women. We are always looking for motherly figures, nurturing figures, and people with lived experiences. I definitely feel like women are probably the strongest species on the planet, and we bring that natural motherly figure that people tend to gravitate towards. You would be surprised how many mothers and women go through difficult things and sometimes keep it to themselves or do not share it, but it is a testimony that could help someone else, whether it is a little girl or anybody. The demand is always there, especially for women, and we need more of us to do this kind of work. Without looking at statistics, I can tell you that the number of women in this industry is much higher than men, and that includes in leadership and upper leadership as well.

My faith is my number one value, both personally and professionally. I rely on it heavily, especially doing this type of work, because you have to rely on a different source of strength and have something bigger than you that you can release to without causing stress or burden to another individual. Faith helps me not internalize everything that comes with the nonprofit industry. Community is also really important to me - having like-minded people in community is huge, especially in this industry but also in life in general. I make sure not to isolate myself and ensure that I am getting poured into just as much as I am pouring out, so that my cup is always filled and I am always able to fill others. That sustains me. I also hold deeply to the pay-it-forward mentality, believing that if people could help me, I can help someone else, and if everyone adopted that mindset, this world would be a better place. Empathy and compassion are essential - I have always had that need to want to help those who needed the help. For self-care, which is so important, I prioritize monthly massages and use dance as an outlet by directing the dance ministry at my church, which is therapeutic for me and allows me to use my gifts to serve others.