Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Wise.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Christina. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My journey has meandered across the map without apparent cause. However, when I look more closely, there are consistent threads of meaning, connection, and hope across my experiences and choices.
My parents instilled in me very early on that you should do what you love. So, I set out trying to find out what I love. After graduating from Tufts University with a degree in psychology, I ended up moving to Phoenix, Arizona and took a job as an executive recruiter for the pharmaceutical industry. The folks searching for jobs taught me about their families, and what held meaning for them. My favorite part of the position was making these connections. It was the thought of incorporating relationship building into a career that led me to attend graduate school at the University of Toledo to become a therapist. While in graduate school my love for non-profit work began at an educational non-profit, Junior Achievement, as an education and development manager. I met my wonderful partner and husband in the next office. I received my master’s degree and worked in residence life in Illinois before making my way to the University of Georgia in Athens for my doctoral degree in psychology.
I consistently chose community-based treatment settings with clients managing significant trauma and barriers to accessing treatment. This was what I was searching for, meaningful work. For the final requirement of my doctoral degree, I was matched with Momentous Institute in Dallas, Texas, a community non-profit serving children and their families.
Walking through the doors of Momentous Institute as a doctoral psychology intern, I did not know the impact this organization would have on my trajectory. Somehow, Momentous Institute continued to let me stay. I got hired as a postdoctoral psychology fellow, a Research Psychologist and then two years after joining Momentous, I became the Director of Clinical Research. I am responsible for researching our therapy work, measuring our community project impact, supervising students, and seeing families in therapy. At Momentous Institute, we talk about holding the hope for our families, until they can hold it for themselves. We help our families by forming relationships and empowering them. Momentous Institute embodies meaning, connection, and hope.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Everyone’s journey comes with challenges and mine was not without struggles. I have two beautiful, active, curious boys at home. A one-year-old and a three-year-old. Currently, my biggest challenge, beyond trying to get us all out of the house on time, is trying to figure out how to be an engaged mother when I’m home and a present employee at work. I love nonprofit work. It absolutely feels like my calling. However, it is not just a job. At Momentous Institute, we do not have to deal with the adult drama that many corporate employees manage on a daily basis. The employees at Momentous Institute are all working toward a shared vision and a common goal, momentous outcomes for the amazing children and families we serve. There is not time for drama. This shared vision is big and hopeful. When reflecting on that big vision, I know there is always more I can do. I am learning to use my therapist training and voice to remind myself that I can do more tomorrow if I take care of myself and my family today. Some days that voice is quieter than others. I recently read an article from Scary Mommy that questions the idea of working mom guilt and, asks what about our society causes moms to feel they are doing something wrong by working in the first place. I think I’ve definitely had my share of working mom guilt, especially when my son tells me to “hold on, because I’m working” as he plays with a toy phone or types on a play keyboard. It is a challenge to question some of these trained beliefs I hold about being a good mom. I’m still working on my balance and how I want to show up at home and at work, while trying to fit in sleep. However, I am excited about the idea that I’m modeling, the same way my parents did, what it means to devote your life to a cause you love.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Momentous Institute – what should we know?
Momentous Institute, owned and operated by Salesmanship Club of Dallas since 1920, builds and repairs social emotional health in kids. Each year, Momentous Institute directly serves over 6,000 children and family members through its nationally acclaimed Momentous School and innovative therapeutic services. Momentous Institute also invests in research and training, including the annual Changing the Odds Conference, to reach far more children than it could ever serve directly. The combined support of Salesmanship Club of Dallas, the AT&T Byron Nelson (primary fundraiser), corporations, individuals and foundations enables these efforts and truly changes the odds for kids in our community and beyond.
I serve as the Director of Clinical Research, which means I wear a lot of hats. I manage a team of staff and students to evaluate the effectiveness of our therapeutic services’ programs and some of our large projects in the community. I also was responsible for transitioning our therapeutic services’ department to electronic medical records two years ago and continue to oversee this program. I develop research projects to share outside of Momentous Institute through national and regional conferences and publications. I support manual development for our innovative programs. Additionally, I develop and maintain research partnerships with universities nationally and relationships with local universities to host students as research interns or fellows. As a licensed psychologist on our team, I also am a member of our APA-accredited psychology training team and I provide supervision to doctoral students throughout the year. Also, I provide training in-house and to the community on research and clinical topics. I love where I work, because I get to do meaningful, exciting work every day and no two days look alike.
Contact Info:
- Address: 106 E. 10th Street, Dallas, TX 75203
- Website: www.momentousinstitute.org
- Phone: 214-915-4700
- Email: info@momentousinstitute.org
- Instagram: @momentousinstitute
- Facebook: Momentous Institute
- Twitter: @momentous
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
