Name: Destani Shadrick
Birthdate: April 3, 1974
Where were you born? Adrian, Michigan
What are your community activities? (church or faith-based involvement, local, regional and national professional organizations, non-profits, etc)
Member of Rotary Club of Downtown Gainesville (Past President)
Rotary District 6970- currently serving a three year term as Assistant Area Governor for Area 1 (Alachua County)
Member of Alachua County Children’s Alliance
Member of Leadership Gainesville Alumni Associaltion
List any awards you have won for community service: None-due to my professional role, I am usually on the giving end of these awards!
What is your definition of success? Making a positive impact on my community.
What is your greatest professional accomplishment? Moving to Gainesville for a promotion and falling in love with it! I earned my Master’s degree while working full time. After completing my degree I moved to Gainesville for a promotion and sunshine! I took a huge leap of faith and I am so happy that I did. It’s now been seven years and I love my community and the team of dedicated women that I work with at GSGC.
How do you exemplify the spirit of a Forty Under 40 professional? I believe that I exemplify the spirit of a Forty under 40 professional in that I work hard at my profession and I am dedicated to the advancement of our mission and the Girl Scout Movement. I am equally dedicated to giving back to my community through my work with Rotary on the local, district and international level. I believe in community and work to make the world a better place both personally and professionally.
Businessperson who has most inspired you: Ms. Gail Scott was the CEO of Girl Scouts of Gateway Council and one of the first women to serve as a Rotary District Governor. Gail was a strong leader that was passionate about building a highly effective team and a workplace that was family friendly and mission-centric. Through Gail’s coaching and support I was honored with the opportunity to spend one month in South Korea as part of a cultural exchange for young professionals, the Rotary Group Study Exchange. Through my participation in this program I developed a desire to serve our world through Rotary International and acquired a deeper understanding of the importance of culture and diversity.
Best advise ever received: “Believe in yourself.”
Greatest professional challenge: Providing Girl Scout Leadership Experience opportunities to every girl age 5 to 17 in 10 north-central Florida counties!
First job: Making cold calls to sell tickets to the Jimmy Durante Christmas show at the historic opera house in my hometown (age 12).
What color crayon would you be? Why? Green because it is associated with Girl Scouting and is a color associated with balance, which is very important in my life. I also appreciate the greens of our natural flora here in Alachua County.
Favorite after-work drink: Rum and coke at the Red Onion.
If I had a magic wand, I’d: Ensure that no child was hungry.
What is your favorite Gadget? My Eton emergency radio from the WUFT pledge-drive. It’s great for the beach!
How long have you been in Gainesville? Seven years.
What do you love most about Gainesville/Alachua County? I love the community spirit and devotion to our local businesses. I bask in the natural beauty of our community from the prairie to the springs to the Devil’s Millhopper and the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens. I am proud of our dedication to our children through our schools and quality extracurricular opportunities for tomorrow’s community leaders.
Three things people would be surprised to know about you: 1. My undergraduate degree is in Fine Art. 2. I swam in a geothermal pool surrounded by black lava in Iceland. 3. I was a synchronized swimmer in high school.
Advice you would give a younger you: Never settle. Follow your heart. Everything will be alright.