Introducing Lovely Liz
Today’s ‘Our Foundation Family’ spotlight is the lovely Liz!
Liz is our Content Marketing & Fundraising Coordinator and has worked with the foundation for 2.5 years. She has a delightful presence in our office and we all love her very much. We are so excited for you to get to know her better.
As always, we start our blog post off with a bang and ask the team to describe Liz in one word. Here is what they had to say:
Liz’s sunshine-y, vibrant and compassionate personality makes her a very valued member of our team and we can’t wait for you to get to know her better.
Here are Liz’s answers to our hard-hitting questions:
Who are you and what do you do for PJ’s? How long have you worked for PJ’s?
My name is Liz and I am the National Content Marketing & Fundraising Coordinator. I have worked at The Pyjama Foundation for 2.5 years.
What is your biggest achievement at PJ’s?
I am really proud of the content we are putting out because it is helping Pyjama Angels with their visits, but also helping our organisation reach more people, recruit more volunteers and secure more funding.
What do you love about your job?
My favourite part of my job is connecting with so many generous and kind-hearted people. Meeting volunteers, foster carers & donors who do what they do to benefit others is so validating and gives me so much hope.
Why did you apply to work at PJ’s?
The thought of using my skills in a way that truly benefited others was way to temping to pass up. I had already met the team after doing some work experience in the office, so knew I really liked the environment and cause. When the opportunity to work full-time came up, I moved very quickly to get my application in!
What is your favourite quote or children’s book?
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – The More Places You’ll Go by Dr Seuss
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
All of the things. A vet, a hair dresser, a marine biologist, an astronaut, then an astronomer (after reading how many astronauts go to space and don’t return), a fashion designer, a photographer, an actress, a graphic designer, a journalist, a magazine editor, an author… Then a not-for-profit professional, I guess! I was always encouraged to follow my passions and had everything I needed to pursue them. I count my lucky stars everyday for the family I was born into.
If you could magically become fluent in any language, what would it be?
Greek! I have tried countless times to pick it up so I can talk to my family members who still live over there, but it’s always been such a challenge for me. Can anyone make this happen? It would make me and my 92 year old Yiayia very happy!
Who was your favourite teacher in school and how did he or she impact you?
Mr Lanham, who was my Grade 11 & 12 Modern History teacher. It wasn’t my favourite subject, but he definitely made a big impact on me. In Grade 11, my schools careers advisor made an off-hand comment that I wouldn’t be able to study my desired degree at university. As a 15/16 year old, this was really upsetting and definitely had the power to completely demotivate me. Instead, I mentioned it to Mr Lanham later and he said, “wait right here”. He scurried off to his computer and few minutes later he returned with a printed copy of a Condoleezza Rice speech in which she spoke of the importance and power in education, forging your own path and facing adversity.
The former US Secretary of State has given many powerful speeches, but in that moment, my strange and obscure Modern History teacher gave me the exact one I needed. This is a quote from that speech. “You see, education is transformative. It literally changes lives. That is why people work so hard to become educated. And that is why education has always been the key to human beings and their dreams – a force that erases arbitrary divisions of race and class and culture, and unlocks every person’s potential.”
He also made us sing karaoke to Billy Joel’s ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire’ at least once a term, so that was pretty great too.
Thank you, Liz, for letting us quiz you and opening up to us! You are an absolute delight!
