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Katie Seccombe at Community Engagement Leadership Training (COLT) 2015 in San Diego, Calif.
Since high school, Katie Seccombe had an interest in going into the nonprofit sector. So during college, she looked for a hands-on experience. Having come from the same Southern California town as our founder, Pamela Acosta Marquardt, she knew about her story but didn’t know a lot about pancreatic cancer. The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network seemed like a great place to gain some experience, but little did she know at the time just what an incredible place it was!
Katie’s subsequent internship at the organization in 2010 allowed her to try out many different roles and see everything happen from the ground level. After she graduated from college, Katie was hired as a member of the Corporate and Community Partnerships team, working with do-it-yourself event fundraisers.
“It’s been exciting to not only witness my own personal growth, but to witness the amazing growth of the organization, as well,” she said.
Katie is passionate about the people she interacts with on a daily basis and is enthusiastic about building relationships with her colleagues, donors and volunteers. Being an intern prior to joining the staff has helped her better understand the significance of all the moving parts at the organization.
“When I first started, the staff was very welcoming and supportive, so I try to pass along that same feeling to the people I work with. Being an intern also taught me that every job or task is important, no matter how small.”
When asked more about what makes her interactions with volunteers special, she noted that their enthusiasm is what makes her work exciting.
“Our volunteers make my work rewarding. They eat, sleep and breathe purple and are the backbone of this organization. I have never met such a relentless and caring group of people.”
