Emily and The Office — Emily Dunbar
Emily Dunbar sat in her office chair, listening to her co-worker friends rave about the organization they were volunteering with; each one was developing a relationship with a child who was facing adversity. The children were experiencing rough times, and her friends were helping them. Week after week, she listened to her co-workers talk about having fun with the kids they mentored and the amazing support they received from the program’s staff.
Emily appreciated the commitment they made to their friends as she listened to their stories for two years. As a parent, her child is the single most important thing in her life. Emily is one of those fully involved parents whose weekdays start at 5:30 am and don’t stop until well into the evening, after work or school and the gym and gymnastics. With such busy lives, as many families have, she cherishes the quieter moments they have together, whether it’s catching up on their days in the car on the way home, staying active together or mommy-daughter spa nights.
For Emily, serving on GLM’s Board of Directors is the best way to balance her responsibilities as a single mom with giving back. . She thought about the mentors she knew–her co-workers, who she described as, “selfless heroes that will always be remembered by these children whose lives they changed,” and she reached out to get involved. The Great Life Mentoring Board of Directors is a nice fit for Emily. It’s a place where she shines, and her talents are used to benefit others. Her nearly 15-year career at the same organization has set her up for success. During that time, she has worked in roles supporting client services, learning and development, and communications and employee engagement. She has worked under top executives and learned what it takes to be a good leader. Most recently, her interest in the legal field led her to pursue a Master's degree in Legal Studies from the University of Southern California in 2023. She now works in risk management and compliance. All of this experience has supported Emily’s contributions to the Board: Since 2018, Emily has served in every leadership position on the and is currently serving as President. She was a founding board member when GLM became a standalone 501c3, which was a tremendous amount of work and allowed the organization to expand and support more kids in need in new communities.
All of the board members bring something different to the table. Emily says, “We all come from different backgrounds, and I think having that diversity is a huge benefit.” She says she loves the board meetings and continues, “At the end of the day, I try to bring a little fun as well.”
Emily is industrious and works hard for what she has in her life. She is independent and enjoys accomplishing things, both on her own and in a group setting. She could also be described as an ‘outgoing-introvert.’ She gives a lot of positive energy.
In her free time, Emily enjoys staying active by riding her Peloton bike or curling up with a good book. After two years of working 50 hours a week, taking over as GLM’s Board President and grad school, she never takes her free time for granted.
But at the same time, staying busy with Board work is extremely fulfilling for Emily. She knows the day-to-day behind-the-scenes work is essential for keeping the program not only running, but expanding, so kids in need can receive potentially life-changing support. Whether it’s through editing, sharing insights, or any other corporate skill, Emily is full of useful traits and passionate about using them to help others. She believes, “I am just one person, so I can't make a monumental difference in the world, but I try to do what I can.” She prides herself on being a loyal and trustworthy friend people can count on. This is something Great Life Mentoring considers ‘monumental.’ This organization has seen ‘loyal and trustworthy’ save lives.
Emily humbly states that she is a simple person, “I go to work and enjoy my life when I'm not there. I do what I can to provide a comfortable life for my daughter and try to have fun along the way.” She brings her authentic self to the office, to relationships, and to the world. She says, “Ultimately, I’m just happy to be a constant for this wonderful organization. My favorite thing about Great Life Mentoring is that they act as if every child is their own. This is not just a 9-5 for staff, it’s their life's work and mission, and that’s what makes it the quality organization it is. It brings tears to my eyes every time I think about the difference they are making.”
The thing is, Emily is now very much a part of Great Life Mentoring. So she has become an influence and contributor, like the very ones she admires, whose stories she heard about in the office.
Her favorite quote is — “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” by Theodore Roosevelt. The truth is, Emily has arrived!
Contact Great Life Mentoring to join the team and enrich the lives of children facing adversity.
