Her Story
About Liz
I founded the Don't Worry Willie Foundation based on personal experience as an active duty military spouse with four children, one of whom is neurodivergent. We didn't really have anyone to help us navigate that entire landscape, especially with being so transient and moving all the time. Through my foundation, we provide access grants to theaters to make their shows more disability-friendly and accessible. We offer workshops with sensory days for autistic or neurodivergent attendees to enjoy, and we host pop-ups where they can learn about mental health resources, where to get help, and how to navigate the systems. It's a really fun event where they can also see a live musical that I wrote about mental health. The show is a mobile touring educational show that has already reached around 9,000 kids so far. We started in Houston and are currently touring there, and now we're launching into our new duty station in Louisiana to build that impact here as well. I pivoted into doing this nonprofit full-time after working in corporate America, and I'm also a life coach. My goal is to reach 10,000 kids a year.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Liz
01What do you attribute your success to?
I definitely attribute my success to my faith and my family. They just wouldn't let me give up. Throughout my career, whether it was in finance, music, or playwriting, my faith has guided me and my family has been there supporting me every step of the way. They fill my cup, and a lot of what I do is because and for them. My personal who is my kids, my husband, and my family, and they are the reason I keep pushing forward even when things get challenging.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say don't be afraid of failing. Starting any business, any venture, it's going to have its bumps. It may take longer than you expect. It may take shorter than you expect, so I just think not being afraid of failing or messing up, because that's a part of the process. And always ask for help. Don't be afraid to find spaces where you can get mentorship or guidance from people that are already doing the work. You can't wait for the perfect moment because you can always go back in and tailor things along the way.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Finding people and things that give you peace of mind is most important to me, because that's something that you can't buy. I would say know what your why is, and know what your who is. Knowing who you are, who is for you, and who maybe should thrive in other spaces that are not included in your own is critical. My personal who is my kids, my husband, and my family. They fill my cup, and a lot of what I do is because and for them. I also believe in being non-negotiable about your personal self-care and your personal boundaries, because if you don't have a hard boundary around the cutoff, you're going to just be busy all day and you can't pour from an empty cup.
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