YLS Member Profile: Amy Payton,
Haynes and Boone, LLP
How did you find out about YLS?
Quite a few of my colleagues at Haynes and Boone, LLP are involved with YLS, and I was intrigued with their commitment to the organization and the annual fundraising campaign. I have a passion for charity, especially when there is direct benefit to the local community. Being involved with YLS is a natural fit for me.
What impact do you hope to make in the Austin community?
I have been fortunate to work with wonderful people who inspired me with their volunteerism and commitment to charity and community. It would be wonderful if my involvement were to inspire a young professional to be community-minded. It would be like paying it forward to a future generation.
What opportunities does being a YLS board member provide?
Being a YLS board member affords me the opportunity to work with a dynamic group of leaders in an effort to bring young professionals together in their charitable awareness and drive to make their community a better place.
What was your first job?
My first job was at an old fashioned pharmacy that had a sandwich counter and soda shoppe. Junior high through my sophomore year of high school, I worked the concession area on Saturday mornings and six weeks. I really enjoyed serving coffee to the regulars, who would tell me WWII stories and “how things used to be.” My mom worked there in high school and my sister worked there as well. It was an institution in my hometown, and I played a part in its history.
Are you a native Austinite?
I’m not a native Austinite, but I have been here for a little over 10 years. I grew up in Galveston County, attended college at Texas State, and have had the privilege of working and living in Austin ever since.
What advice can you give to young professionals looking to get involved?
Find a mentor in your profession and inquire about their professional, social and charitable involvement. Austin has so many outlets for community involvement and the key is to find the opportunity to best suits you on those three levels. If you’re looking to take your involvement to the next level, I highly recommend looking into Leadership Austin’s Emerge program and the Greenlights for Non-Profit workshops.
|
Thinking about joining YLS?
“I would highly recommend to anyone curious about YLS, to attend one of our events. The quality of members, diverse career fields, positive attitudes, combined with the common interest of giving, advocating and volunteering in our beautiful city of Austin is enough to suffice any young leader's needs.”
Eloy Alderete, Wells Fargo
Want to get more involved?
There’s no time like the present to become more involved in
the community! Join the YLS board and volunteer to be a member of
our committees to help us create, plan, and organize events and
projects for our members.
For more information or to sign up for a committee,
contact Alix Floyd at 512.225.0371 or at
alix.floyd@unitedwaycapitalarea.org.
Benefits of Volunteering:
- Volunteer work helps you realize the positive
impact you can make in someone else's life.
- Learn new skills or volunteer in your area of
expertise and teach your skills to others.
- Group volunteer projects can foster team spirit
and bring together
people from all walks of life.
- Be a positive role model to family and friends.
- Volunteering is a great way to enhance your résumé.
- Volunteering often communicates to others that
you are ambitious,
enthusiastic and care about the community.
- A Dow Jones Report noted that corporations interested
in increasing
the education of their top personnel should look to non-profit
organizations over the nation’s business schools, “
Three to five years of volunteer work can provide management experience
most corporations couldn’t provide over 20 years, if at
all” PMA Leadership Briefs, August 2000.
Ready to make a difference and get involved?
Call Alix at 512.225.0371 or write at alix.floyd@unitedwaycapitalarea.org
Click here to become a YLS member.
|
