Raquel Durden

I attribute success to having a strong team. In person, I think the risk for burnout would be so high. A lot of people go into the nonprofit world because they're very passionate, maybe something very good happened in their life or something very tragic, and they leverage that as post-traumatic growth instead of PTSD. I keep a little note card on my bougie bulletin board behind my computer that says, 'How can I amplify my wellness message while preserving my peace?' I think we've done really well having a good team, and that means a mixture of people. If we're servicing veterans, first responders, nurses, people currently serving, they can't all look like me or have my experiences. We keep that balance so people can see themselves connecting with us. I think we've done that well, and then we listen to our clients. We've grown in different areas based on what they need. We take it seriously, being a trusted agent, and we try to break things down so people understand the potential benefits and how they can continue practices on their own or in community.

The best career advice I ever received was, “The grass is greener right where you’re standing.” Early in my career, I was tasked with starting an ROTC program at Cal Poly Pomona, a significant challenge at a university known for engineering and agriculture. Instead of comparing myself to others or trying to replicate their success, I focused on the work in front of me, invested in my small team, and stayed present with the resources we had. By cultivating our own “patch of green,” we built a program that became incredibly successful—a lesson that staying focused and making the most of your current opportunities leads to lasting impact.

I have two key pieces of advice for young women entering this industry. First, be intentional rather than reactive. Early on, it’s easy to respond out of fear, uncertainty, or pressure, but taking a thoughtful approach helps you navigate challenges more effectively—especially in today’s connected world where actions are amplified. Second, practice reflection. At the end of each day, I ask myself what felt authentic and what didn’t, then consciously release the day. This allows me to reset, sleep well, and approach tomorrow with clarity. Reflection transforms work from simply checking boxes into truly experiencing and learning from each moment—a crucial step from surviving to thriving.

One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is that grant funding is down, even as demand for services continues to rise. During COVID, the need for our programs increased, and this past year, people are seeking connection more than ever. At the same time, global events and systemic changes have created a noisy, complex environment. This has pushed us to adopt what I call a “special systems” approach: doing a bit less, but with higher fidelity—creating safe spaces, fostering meaningful connections, and equipping participants to replicate these experiences in their own homes and communities.

The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are faith and family. Life has taught me how irreplaceable the people closest to us are—through experiences of loss, service, and separation. My husband and I have navigated multiple combat tours, always returning to one another with stronger communication and connection. Faith and family are my guiding principles, providing grounding, resilience, and perspective no matter the challenges I face professionally or personally.