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As summer begins—a season often associated with reflection as much as it is with relaxation—starting a new role has given me the chance to look back on the steps that brought me here. For me, it means reflecting on my personal career path.
From event planning to communications to partnerships, it’s clear I’ve gravitated toward roles that tap into my top Agilities©: Selling and Communicating and Managing. Using the Agilities Comparison Tool, which explores potential occupations by similarities in the order of their Agilities, I can see how these strengths have consistently fueled my professional journey.
My other top Agility, Serving and Caring, has shaped where I choose to work. Mission matters deeply to me, and I’ve been intentional about aligning with organizations that expand access to opportunity.
I’m excited to join The DeBruce Foundation as Senior Director of Partnership Experience. I look forward to collaborating with partners to equip individuals with the tools they need to launch careers and navigate transitions across a lifetime.
If you’re exploring what’s next, take (or retake!) the Agile Work Profiler© to begin charting your own career journey!
Agilities© Kids: Managing
In this month’s Agilities character highlight, meet one of our Agilities characters — Managing!
This skill is all about leading a group, making plans, and giving helpful advice. Kids with the Managing Agility are great at organizing team projects and noticing others’ strengths. You might use Managing by dividing tasks when working with peers. How can you practice Managing?
Watch the video for an overview of Managing, how this Agility can help at school, home, or a future job, and how to practice using this Agility.
The Giving Nook Podcast featuring Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight
Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight, Executive Director and COO of The DeBruce Foundation, was recently featured on The Giving Nook podcast, hosted by Courtney Forkum of The Philanthropy Place. The episode covers how The Foundation is helping individuals navigate career decisions with data-driven resources.
“For individuals who are changing careers, how do they have the confidence to know what I like to do and what I do well? What’s the intersection, and what might be industries or jobs where I could bring value into the career marketplace?” asked Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight.
Tune in to the conversation on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts for more.
Next steps for federal workers changing careers
The DeBruce Foundation’s tools were recently featured in The Baltimore Banner as valuable resources for federal workers thinking about a career change.
The article highlights several tools designed specifically for Marylanders, along with practical advice for anyone exploring a new career path—beginning with identifying your current skills and understanding how they can transfer to new opportunities.
If you or someone you know is considering a career change, start by identifying your strengths with the Agile Work Profiler, then explore career paths with The Foundation’s free Career Explorer Tools!
Welcome the newest interns to the team!
Join us in welcoming Kiana and Avery, the latest class of interns, to The DeBruce Foundation.
Kiana and Avery will be bringing fresh energy to the Strategic Communications team, getting hands-on experience in the field, while also helping amplify the mission of expanding pathways to economic growth and opportunity.
Kiana is a senior at The University of Kansas with a passion for inclusive leadership, digital marketing, and using storytelling to amplify diverse voices.
Avery is a senior at the University of Missouri and a strategic communicator who specializes in nonprofit outreach, audience engagement, and creating campaigns that make an impact.
Be on the lookout for content from this duo!
Kyra Afolabi on-air for The Graduation Toolkit
Kyra Afolabi, DeBruce Career Corps member and 2025 Graduate from UMKC, and Kristie Larson, Strategic Relationship Manager, were interviewed on Hot 103 Jamz to share The Foundation’s Graduation Toolkit with graduating seniors throughout the region.
During the interview, Kyra shared how working with The Foundation has supported her next steps forward.
“The Graduation Toolkit has helped me in each and every aspect of building my resume, of exploring what different incomes I personally will have, and exploring what career pathways I might go on,” said Kyra.
Listen in for more on Hot 103 Jamz. To learn more about DeBruce Career Corps and how to join, click here.
Empowering students through Agilities
This month’s blog comes from Christie Taylor, a K-2 Counselor at Lincoln Elementary in Cedar Lake, Indiana. She shares her approach to integrating employability skills, social-emotional learning, and Agilities throughout elementary schools in her district.
“The more I use the Agilities in lessons and small groups, the more I see students internalizing them,” said Christie Taylor. “They begin to see themselves as organizers, communicators, and decision-makers. They recognize their own strengths and start to build confidence in who they are becoming.”
Christie shares how students at Lincoln Elementary explore the Agilities through hands-on activities based on the movie Zootopia – growing their excitement to build skills for the future.
Read the blog here.
Join us for a training!
Are you looking for resources to build career pathways in your classroom, curriculum, or organization? Register now to explore our career tools and join us in expanding career opportunities!
Virtual Agilities Tours:
July 8, July 22
Virtual Introduction to Agilities K-12 Resources for Educators:
July 9, August 6, September 10
In-Person Agilities Coach Training
July 17-18 (Kansas City, MO)
September 25-26 (Kansas City, MO)
October 23-24 (Kansas City, MO)
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