Meet YMC's newest fulltime staff member, Brantli Senn! Brantli, Manager of Strategic Initiatives, joins the team with over ten (10) years of experience with program and volunteer management. Check out her interview with Hannah McKinney, YMC's Manager of Communications & Storytelling. You can read more about Brantli and the Manager of Strategic Initiatives by clicking the button below.
The Interview
Q. How did you first hear about the Youth Mentoring Collaborative (YMC)? (HM)
A. "I first learned of YMC from the Vice President of Communications, Malenia Swinton. I felt inspired to join the team after hearing the origin story of this organization and its vision of what it could be. I appreciate the supportive nature of this line of work. Far too often, communities are faced with an overwhelming need and very few resources. Being a part of something that provides hope and tools that can make a direct impact feels right." (BS)
Q. What is your 'mentor story'? (HM)
A. "My fourth-grade teacher Mr. Hunter was the first adult, outside of my family, to have a significant impact on my life. He encouraged me to dream big and provided me with a healthy boost of confidence during a significant transition in my life. There were many other "divine interventions," as I call them, who crossed my path over the years and I could never thank them enough. I understand intimately the role mentoring can have in changing the trajectory of someone's life for the better. To me, mentoring fosters a strong sense of community and connection. Getting a chance to share my skills and help cultivate more of that goodness feels like an incredible gift. Ten-year-old Brantli would be proud." (BS)
Q. Which of YMC's values are you most personally aligned with? (HM)
A. "Joy. I am spending a lot of time right now with the idea of cultivating joy as a form of resiliency. I have found that if I am intentional about seeking it, it will always find me. I appreciate the challenge that comes with cultivating joy. It requires a level of acceptance, mindfulness, and gratitude that can feel difficult to access in the chaos of day-to-day tasks. However, if I simply follow my two-year-old daughter's lead, it's not all that difficult after all." (BS)
Q. What about YMC's future most excites you? (HM)
A. "I am excited about the expansion into South Carolina. I know there are many organizations who are passionate about serving the youth, but are struggling with their capacity and access to resources to meet the community's needs." (BS)
Q. What is your specialty as a team member? (HM)
A. "Program Operations." (BS)
Q. Share a fun fact about you! (HM)
A. "I took night classes and trained to become a volunteer firefighter." (BS)
This concludes the interview. To learn more about Brantli and the rest of the team, visit Our Team.