Today, we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Strauss.
Hi Whitney, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My career and personal journey have been marked by both setbacks and successes, hardships and hard work, and perseverance with positivity.
Even as a skinny, hyperactive little girl, I was endlessly curious. Making the team or achieving good grades didn’t always come easily. I learned that I had to work hard for my accomplishments and that work ethic has stuck with me.
Reflecting on my career path, I would say there are many lessons about perseverance. I have had my fair share of setbacks, failures, “no’s,” and significant personal struggles, from having a very premature baby to my husband undergoing emergency heart surgery. These experiences have taught me that while you can accomplish great things, it may not always happen on your schedule.
You have to keep going in the face of hardships and never give up, remembering that “not now” doesn’t have to mean “not at all.” Additionally, my journey has given me the perspective to genuinely appreciate my network of support. Early in my career, I learned the value of nurturing your network, not only for professional connections but also for caring about them as individuals.
At significant turning points in my life, I was fortunate to have a network that cared equally about me and supported me. People opened doors, made connections, and gave me advice when I needed it the most. Now finishing my doctorate, I am deeply committed to making an impact in the world and will always work toward that goal.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it has not been easy. I don’t think any leader comes from not overcoming challenges – that is what molds leaders. However, I do need to preface that by saying I started off with a significant advantage in life with my supportive and loving family.
Both my parents valued education, a positive outlook, hard work, and giving back, which laid a strong foundation for me to face any challenges that came my way. I acknowledge how fortunate I am, but I have definitely encountered unexpected difficulties, such as dealing with serious health issues with my sons and husband.
You can’t prepare for something like that to happen, but you can get through it. Coming out on the other side, both instances have given me a great perspective on life and made me more compassionate toward what others go through.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I would like to be seen as a compassionate and sincere leader. I prioritize people and solutions over accolades and awards. My specialty is in social impact, particularly in the areas of access to healthy food, physical education, and nutrition education.
My work in the past seven years has been focused on ensuring that every family and child has the opportunity to live a healthy and happy life. I have personally traveled the country to visit communities and see the work being done. I think this gives a unique perspective of walking the talk versus just making decisions from a board room. These social determinants of health have been the focus of my research and have driven my work with the City of Dallas.
I am particularly proud of the support I have been able to provide to projects such as urban farms in my dissertation and the grantees with whom the foundation partners. I believe that what sets me apart and makes me unique is my role as a connector. I have the opportunity to bring attention to community efforts and leaders who are making a meaningful impact, connecting them with people who can support their work.
I’m also not afraid to question, visit with people very different from me, be wrong, or admit what I don’t know. I really try to put any ego aside to look at the end goal of a solution – no matter who gets the credit.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
The picture in mind is a very skinny, short girl with my hair in pigtails and outside running around barefoot. I have always been high-energy and highly curious – about everything. I loved soccer, my unicorn bike, and my really ugly dog – Golden.
My sister, brother, and I did not watch much TV growing up and were constantly outside. I was adventurous, happy, imaginative, and very ADHD, which made me a little off the wall at times. I have lots of good stories to tell!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitneywstrauss
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whitney.w.strauss
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitney-w-strauss-020b1b1/
