Community Leader and Volunteer. Even-Keeled. Admired.
In the competitive world of business, Debra Hollingsworth managed to successfully climb the corporate ladder. And while doing so, her classy and compassionate approach has earned the respect and admiration of those who know her.
For 35 years, Hollingsworth was a fixture at AT&T (previously Southwestern Bell), working in such diverse areas as regulatory, wholesale marketing, network and external affairs.
As regional vice president of external affairs (the position she held before retiring in 2013), Hollingsworth was widely known throughout the region for her role in funding nonprofits through the AT&T Foundation. Her days then (and now) are spent moving swiftly from meetings to events – dressed in her signature sophisticated suits – as part of the multiple roles she assumes, be it working on special committees, sitting on several boards, or chairing fundraisers.
A graduate of Texas A&M University, which she attended on scholarship, Hollingsworth studied communications, journalism and education. She and her husband, Mark Stacey, are parents to two grown daughters, and grandparents to two young girls. Hollingsworth shared some of her philosophies on work, dedication and retirement.
We’re all doing the best we can
Whenever there’s a conflict, I try to see things from the other person’s point of view. It’s not always easy, but it helps to stay calm so you can work things through. There are so many terrific people in all walks of life, and it’s a joy to work with them because they have so much to offer.
Education is the most valuable opportunity
I grew up in New Mexico. My grandparents were homesteaders, and they didn’t have much. But they knew the value of education because nobody can take it away from you. In fact, my grandfather made my older sister promise to help me financially so I could go to college. And she did! They also made it clear that in return, I had to help others achieve their goals.
For corporate funding, I had to be a matchmaker
Being in charge of funding at the AT&T Foundation, I wanted to help everybody, but had to ignore my personal interests. We worked with those organizations whose missions matched our corporate goals and objectives. Nonprofits have to do their homework so they understand the donors. In all my years, there was only one group that ever asked, “What can we do for you?” My answer was simply, “Continue the good work you’re doing.”
How on earth am I going to do this?
I was apprehensive when I accepted certain positions because I knew I didn’t have all the skills the work required. But that didn’t stop me. Even if I wasn’t comfortable, I was always able to figure out a way to contribute, while making the job fit me – and in fact, make the job more valuable to the company. Then I hated to move on.
Talk to people who are different from you
To make our community stronger, we have to build relationships. That starts with working with people who are different from us in order to understand each other. Let’s stop letting things divide us – buying into the division – because we’re people who share similarities.
Don’t just do the minimum
My parents taught me to do more than was expected. My mother said, “You’ll learn more if you do more than the minimum.” People figured out that if they gave me an assignment or a job to do, that I would give them just a little bit more than they had asked of me. It taught me to under-promise and over-deliver.
The best experiences are when you’re with other people
Mark and I have been married for 23 years. We both worked at Southwestern Bell, and friends introduced us. What makes it work? Mutual respect. We want the best for each other; we have each other’s back. What makes it hard? Navigating when circumstances change: aging, job changes, children growing up, and loss of parents, just to name a few.
You have to be enough
When you first retire, it’s odd not to have a schedule. You’re not rushing all day long. There’s no need to live or die by the clock. But you struggle with who you are. You don’t have a title anymore or a company behind you. In retirement, you have to know you are enough.
