In honor of Women's History Month, we have invited leaders in community development to share their story with our Duluth community. This week we are featuring Emily Edison!
Emily is the Executive Director of SOAR career Solutions. She has been with SOAR for 11 years. SOAR provides career training, employment services, and re-entry programs designed to "to help move people into sustainable employment and contribute to a prosperous community". Emily has partnered with LISC on the Wealth, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Sustainability program.
How did you get started in community development and what brought you to your current organization?
My professional career has always centered around working in the non-profit sector. When I first moved to Duluth in 2008, I worked at the United Way. Through that experience, I learned about SOAR Career Solutions and the programs they provided to support jobseekers and justice involved individuals with their education and employment goals. When the executive director position opened, I jumped at the chance to apply. SOAR lives true to the mission to inspire personal transformation through career development. When you enjoy what you do, it doesn’t feel like work. I want to help others find a career that fills them with that type of excitement to help grow a thriving community.
What challenges have you faced, as a woman in community development, and how have you overcome them?
At the start of my role at SOAR, it seemed like it was difficult for people to see me as the executive director. I was a relatively young female leading an organization. In many instances (too many to count actually) people would address my male co-worker as the executive director. While bothersome at first, I have grown to view these interactions as an opportunity to challenge assumptions.
What is the most valuable piece of advice you have recieved?
A former employer once told me, “You don’t work for me, you work with me.” That phrase has stuck with me throughout the years and helped shape my leadership style.
What is the most rewarding part of your role?
There is nothing more rewarding than when former clients contact SOAR to inform us about what they are doing in their life and in their careers. SOAR programs transform not only individuals’ lives, but also their families’ lives, and the entire community.
Are there any particular women leaders in your community whose stories or accomplishments you think deserve more recognition?
Dodie Brown - True North Goodwill
Thank you Emily, for all you do for the Duluth community!