Dona Abbott

Michigan Nightlight: What does being a leader mean to you?
Bethany Christian Services Branch Manager Dona Abbott: It means being committed and open to learning on a daily basis. Being decisive and leading with purpose. Leadership means clearly communicating with passion and commitment to our purpose and vision. Leaders always seek self-improvement. A leader values creativity and innovation and has a servant heart. A leader always has answers to the “who” and “why” we serve at the forefront of every decision.

A leader values creativity and innovation and has a servant heart. A leader always has answers to the “who” and “why” we serve at the forefront of every decision.

 
What is your dream for kids?
For every child to grow up in a family who loves, protects and values them and has the resources to nurture them into being the best adult they are capable of being.
 
What is one concrete thing that could be done to improve the environment for social sector work in Michigan?
For private child and family service providers, education and mental health professionals and the Department of Human Services to have a truly shared inclusive vision for children and families in our communities and to have identified, definable, inclusive activities to achieve that vision.
 
How do you know you’re making progress?
When our customer feedback, our staff feedback and our outcome data all reflect the same progress in achieving desired goals. Goals like reducing a child’s return to foster care by 50 percent. If our families are happy and feeling supported, our staff feels that we are reaching that number and the outcome data proves that we are really reducing returns by 50 percent – when all three components say “yes,” we know what we are doing is working.
 
What are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of bringing evidence-based practices in to our agency’s work and to the children and families we serve –

I’ve learned how much courage it takes to have to speak up when it’s easier to keep quiet, because to initiate, implement and sustain change takes tremendous courage.

informed practices such as using parents as teachers, providing post-adoption support and empowering youth. I am also proud to have developed and sustained such a passionate and persistent love for the children and families that we serve.
 
Reflecting on your career, what would you say was your greatest professional learning experience?
I’ve learned how much courage it takes to have to speak up when it’s easier to keep quiet, because to initiate, implement and sustain change takes tremendous courage. I have learned that I am able, capable and have a responsibility to say the tough things that help us have a shared vision to serve the most vulnerable and the most needy in our community.