Meet Nicole!

Storm Corps Team Leaders: Getting to Know You Questionnaire

The Basics
1. Name: Nicole Gantz
2. Nickname(s): I don't really have one… closest is probably "Nic"
3. Hometown: Ashland, Ohio
4. Where you live now: Ashburn, Virginia, a suburb of DC, but soon moving to the Annapolis, MD area
5. Favorite thing about where you live now: the jogging/biking trail that is about 30 feet from my front door and the delicious Indian retaurant 5 mins away, where they know our names and our order b/f we even sit down.
6. College(s) attended and degree(s) received: Miami University (Ohio); B.A. International Studies & B.A. Political Science

Work
7. United Way where you work: United Way of America, Alexandria, VA
8. Job title: Manager of Field Support & Engagement/Manager of  Born Learning Enhanced Campaign
9. Work accomplishment you are most proud of: My current work with contributing to the creation, development and implementation of the national Born Learning Enhanced Site project.  It's been extremely challenging (both physically - I'm talking long hours and lots of weekend work --  and mentally) but also very rewarding to see our work help transform United Ways, and help contribute to positive improvements in the lives of children all over the country. Early childhood isn't my area of expertise but I've learned a ton - which is exciting professionally, but personally considering I want to have children some day!
10. What first brought you to United Way: Was recruited actually, from my position as national partnership director at Youth Venture, because of a really successful partnership model I helped to launch.
11. Why you stay with United Way: Challenging work, opportunity to meet and work with a wide variety of diverse communities across the country, and mostly b/c I believe in the power of UW to help contribute to community change.

Storm Corps
12. Why you applied to be a Team Leader: Well, I have sorta been involved in the project since the beginning, b/c of my previous experience at Youth Venture.  So I've been committed from the beginning.  I think this is a really unique opportunity for the United Way to work with a non-traditional target audience and to leave young people with a lasting impression about the role United Way can play in communities.   Selfishly, I think this is going to be a really wonderful and inspiring week. 
13. First reaction when you found out you were accepted: Thrilled!  I look forward to sharing this experience with all of you!
14. What you are most excited about:   I am really looking forward to getting out from behind a computer and doing some physical work  - I am excited about sweating in the middle of the day! I am excited to meet others who are passionate about rebuilding/building communities.  I am looking forward to connecting to people face-to-face.  It will be nice to see first-hand the real difference we'll make.  Finally, I'm looking forward to meeting the young people, the other team leaders and tapping into some of my skills/strengths that I don't get to use day-to-day sitting behind a computer.  I am a realtionship/people person, so I can't wait to meet all of the wonderful people I've been hearing/reading about.
15. What you are least excited about: Well, I've been on business travel for the past three weeks, so I am missing my own bed, shower, schedule, coffee -- but this is the week I've most been looking forward to…I'm not really concerned with the shower shortage, or the housing (or lack thereoff) issues.  Probably least excited about the work that will pile up while I'm incommunicado. 
16. What you could step up and do really well if needed: Anything really.  I don't have allergies, am happy to sweat and get dirty, am willing to take on responsibility, cook, clean, etc.
17. What you would rather not have to do: clean toliets ???
18. What you are hoping to get out of Storm Corps:Memorable and positive experience, new personal/professional connections, new ideas for how UW can connect with young leaders, refreshing perspective on our work and the collective and individual roles we can play in recovery efforts

Fun
19. Secret – or not so secret - talent(s) you are willing to share: I'm a pretty good cook.   
20. Hobbies: Cooking, Running, Yoga, Reading
21. People and/or animals you live with: My husband, Jonathan Murray and our dog Malone, a giant and rambunctious airedale terrier
22. Things you want/plan to do in the near future: write more, read more, enjoy my friends and family more… We’re planning a trtip to NYC soon. 
23. Things you want/plan to do in a while: I'd like to run another marathon…I would really love to learn how to surf.  In the next few years, we'd like to start a family
24. Three adjectives that best describe you: energetic, curious, motivated
25. Three adjectives that definitely would not describe you: quiet, mean-sprited, lazy
26. Personal motto or mantra:   You have to live life juicy enough to tell a good story in the end.
27. What you are most proud of:. What a high pressure question… I am typically proud of myself after I've finished a road race… no matter how short/long - it always feels good to push yourself to see how far your physical limits are.  It builds confidence to know that you can perservere with the right attitude and "stick-to-it-edness" even if all you feel like doing is walking or stopping for a rest. 

Favorites
28. Food: Indian, Ice Cream, Cereal and Cheese - I love all food, I don't discriminate - except for onions,  I do loathe onions
29. Book: I can't pick just one - it depends on my mood.  How about what I'm reading right now:  The Known World, There are No Children Here, The Time Traveler's Wife (I'm never reading one book at a time)
30. TV show: I don’t watch a bunch of TV, but I am a fan of Grey's Anatomy… and I must confess i do like some reality TV.  I love SportsCenter, especially during college football season.
31. Movie: I don't really have one.  I don't like to watch movies more than once.  I guess if I had to pick a movie that I really liked recently:  The Constant Gardener.
32. Quote: You can destroy your now by worrying about tomorrow.  Janis Joplin

Anything else you want to share? This can be fun, personal, medical, work related, etc. Basically anything else you want us to know about you. I love music - all kinds, but I especially love classic rock.  I secretly wish I was a stand up comedian or a singer.

Comments

[Steve Gintz]

whoa...if i'm in your group, this is going to be insane. gantz-gintz? ive never heard anything like it.

[Debbie Gantz]

Nicole,
We are the proudest parents in the world

We love you, God Bless you

Love Mom & Dad