Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathy Ortiz.
Hi Kathy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I had a lifelong dream of giving back to our community because my niece passed away from cancer at the age of 14. After her passing, I did a lot of community events for the company I work for (Best Buy). One of my mentors, Davian Altamiranda, invited me to a meeting at the YWCA in December 2015, while learning more about the program and the kids that attend, it. I knew I had to help, and I took my first step. There were 108 kids in the program, and I was determined to raise money to get the kids gifts for the holidays. Our first official fundraiser as Sharing is Caring, with the help of family and friends and the community, Sharing is Caring was able to collect $4000 for the kids in two weeks and surprise them with a little extra holiday cheer. After this event, I knew in my heart I wanted to grow and do more as the Sharing is Caring Foundation. Since then, Sharing is Caring has grown every single year. Past initiatives.
The Annual Holiday Toy Drive and Fundraiser is now entering its 6th year. We have also partnered up with various groups that allow us to gift laptops and school supplies during the Back to School season. This is our 4th year doing Annual Easter outreach for the homeless community. Hurricane recovery drives, school supplies toy drives between Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, Food Donations’ for Front line workers during Covid-19 and a fundraiser for a school in Colombia.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Some of the obstacles we’re dealing with the pandemic. In March of 2020, we were supposed to partner up with different organizations and start a workshop on Social Emotional Learning. We had to put it on hold and work with what we had. My good friend Jennifer is an aspiring chef, and she introduced us to Chef Patrick. We started donating meals for Front line workers, and it was so beautiful to give back in a moment where our hands were tied. Chef Patrick and Jennifer prepared some incredible meals and we donated to different essential workers at the hospitals in Miami-Dade and Broward County.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have been working for Best Buy for the last 21 years. I am a Home Experience Assistant Manager responsible for day-to-day management of driving home channel fulfillment consistency, efficiency, and quality of work completed by Best Buy/Geek Squad employees. Conducts regular reviews with Agents to develop and manage/coach/train/close performance gaps. I coach and motivate my team to contribute in metrics to have positive engagement with our clients.
I am known for developing employees. Even though it has been a bit difficult after the pandemic, we are starting again on developing employees and making sure we are creating a learning culture in the organization where every employee is motivated to learn new skills and acquire new learnings. We need to motivate them to do something they love. I am most proud of the team I am working with now. They have come such a long way and are pushing to be a better version of themselves daily.
What sets you apart from others?
Is my understanding of human kind and how everyone is different. How to treat someone as an individual and relate to them. My employees trust me because I am building relationships with them and make them feel comfortable. I care about people and everyone, and that is very important in Leadership. Love is very important and being kind goes a long way.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Some of the books I love: The Four Agreements, The Universe has your back, You are a badass.
Contact Info:
- Email: thesharingiscaringfoundation@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.sharingiscaringinc.com/
- Instagram: sharingiscaringfdn
- Facebook: The Sharing is Caring Foundation
