Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittney Bannon.
Brittney, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
After graduating from Texas Tech University in 2007 I wasn’t completely sure where I wanted to take my first step in building my career. I dabbled a bit in the hospitality industry but ultimately wasn’t feeling like that was where I was meant to be. Months later I found a position with the Irving Schools Foundation. This was my first step into the non-profit sector. I grew to really enjoy working in a field where I had the opportunity to help student’s dreams of going to college with the support of scholarships, who otherwise probably wouldn’t be able to attend. From here my passion of working in the non-profit sector unfolded.
Following my time at the Irving Schools Foundation I worked with the Foundation Fighting Blindness. An organization based in Maryland that raises crucial funds for retinal degenerative diseases. I had the opportunity to travel between Colorado, Utah, San Antonio and on occasion Oklahoma, to meet so many wonderful people that working hard in their hometowns to raise the funds needed to cure vision robbing diseases. It was undoubtedly one of my favorite positions because of the opportunity to meet so many positive and upbeat people considering what they were up against. I can’t imagine losing my vision and possibly never seeing my children grow.
As much as I loved my time with the Foundation Fighting Blindness, I knew that the traveling schedule wouldn’t be the most conducive to my husband and I starting a family. I was fortunate to have some wonderful connections here in the Dallas areas that lead me to the Children’s Cancer Fund of Dallas. CCF is an absolutely heartwarming organization that raises funds for pediatric oncology research. I had the unique opportunity to help CCF transition their widely known Annual Luncheon & Fashion Show to a Gala & Fashion Show for the 28th anniversary of the event. Working with children fighting through these horrific diseases is something I will never forget and will cherish for the rest of my life. Having children of my own now, I simply can’t imagine what these families and friends of the child go through on a daily basis. It was blessing beyond words to be able to celebrate some of these little fighters during their journey. Any stress of the job was nothing in comparison to how happy those kids feel when they get to step on the runway and strut their stuff. It makes you smile so hard your face hurts and cry tears of joy all at the same time.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at CCF but due to the arrival of my second child (only a year and a half after my daughter) I took some well needed time off. After roughly a year off, I am now with Methodist Health System Foundation. I have only been in this current position since September but I am really enjoying it. The people are wonderful and the cultural is great.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No, it has not been a smooth road. I have definitely had some personal struggles working in the non-profit sector. Many people think it’s an easy industry but I completely disagree. I have had to learn to build much thicker skin and be a stronger person.
Additionally, being a working mother to two children under the age of two has had its own challenges. I want so badly to be a power house non-profit leader in this city but my ultimate goal is to raise to loving, respectful, healthy, happy and respectful children. With that in mind I have had to tell myself many times that it is ok if I am not the CEO of a well-known organization. You can be it all if you want to but don’t stress yourself out and keep you from enjoying what’s right in front of you to get there. It will all be OK, because I am still successful in my own right and I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Methodist Health System Foundation story. Tell us more about the business.
As of September 2017, I work at the Methodist Health System Foundation as the Donor Relations and Annual Fund Coordinator. My role is to work primarily with our internal fundraising partners as well as manage our employee giving campaign.
I am most proud to work with this organization because they not only care about their patients which are the utmost important, but they truly care about their staff. Everyone is genuinely grateful for the opportunity to work at Methodist. Not only is the environment one that I am happy to be a part of every day, but my position provides me the opportunity to utilize all my skills and assets. I’m not pinpointed in one direction.
I’m not sure if this sets me a part from others but I am a very sincere and trustworthy person. Those are two key qualities I value the most in people. I hope that’s what others see in me when they think of me.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I would say the Children’s Cancer Fund. I was lucky enough to start my family during this position and grew it from one kid to two. That’s luck for sure! However, it brought me the most challenges or “bad luck”. I had a lot of life lessons I learned from this position. Refer back to growing thicker skin 🙂
Contact Info:
- Address: 1441 N. Beckley Ave.
Dallas, TX 75203 - Website: https://foundation.methodisthealthsystem.org/
- Phone: 214-247-4556
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