Samantha Happ

EXPL 390: Social Justice Internship

Leadership Profile
February 19, 2016

I run up the 7 flights of steps inside 721 N. LaSalle, out of breath while starting to sweat
from my jacket and scarf that are now too hot for the blasting heating system. Its 8:27 AM, and
Im simultaneously fight off anxiousness for my meeting and exhaustion from too little sleep, but
feeling the can I make it on time? surge of adrenaline propelling me forward. I have an 8:30
A.M. meeting with Gina Cleggs, the Associate Vice President of Community Development and
Outreach Services at Catholic Charities, and my boss, April, had only given me one piece of
advice Dont waste her time. Being late probably wouldnt get us off to a good start.
As I rushed in, huffing from the climb, my nose running and coffee dripping from my
UNICEF mug, Ms. Cleggs sat serenely in a chair facing the window in her office. She turned and
greeted me, ushering me to sit across from her. Naturally (for me), my backpack hit the flower
vase, almost knocking it over. While annoyance at my obvious mockery of an entrance would
have been more than justified, she instead smiled and extended her hand to shake mine. I sat,
wanting to sigh and collapse into the already roller-coaster of a morning Id had. However, her
presence commanded my attention (Id hope my manners were part of it, too). She didnt seem to
share my distaste for mornings; in fact, she had this light about her that I instantly trusted (even
though morning people are NOT to be trusted, i.e. my roommates). She had a reserved warmth
about her, a kind spirit yet a tough demeanor. I was slightly terrified of her; I liked her instantly.
I was meeting with Gina that day for a totally unrelated reason than this assignment;
honestly, it hadnt crossed my mind until I was in the meeting that I realized how much I admired
her as a leader and as a woman, when I realized what a resilient and powerful role model she

was. Sharing her life story, her daily schedule, what it was like to be a working parent and
simultaneously runs both a household and a half dozen employment programs with budgets in
the multi-million range, she was one of those superwoman types a myth of sorts.
Gina said she was born and raised in the city, and went to Eastern Illinois University for
her Bachelors, and then on to the Illinois School of Professional Psychology for her Masters. She
said she was always encouraged in her childhood to be kind and be bold. She claims to have
found her passion and ran with it. From extracurriculars to academics to volunteering, Gina
involved in absolutely everything something that hasnt changed today. Busy, sure, she said
as she shrugged, but loving it.
When I apologized for chugging my coffee, she chuckled and said, Oh to be in
college. That stuff hasnt worked on me in years. She said that most nights ended long after her
son was put to sleep and began again roughly 5 hours later, and yet she somehow managed to
cook and join a gym in her spare time (I couldnt calculate her having a spare minute, but she
promised me). She claimed that she needed a vacation but only from Governor Rauner. I
really love it here, she said starry-eyed as she spoke about Catholic Charities, I challenge you
to find something you dont need a break from.
Im still not sure how she does it, but she claimed that so much of her happiness and
success comes from those she works with. To me, being a leader is empowering others. In
essence, thats what my job is all about; employment is empowerment. But my colleagues have
said time and time again that work will take over your life here so you better be sure you love
it. I love everything about it! One of my favorite things is seeing how others grow. To be a leader
is to foster the potential in others, even when its not convenient. There are so many times I just
want to do it all myself thatd be easier, right? Absolutely, but thats not what a leader does.

She encourages and supports the efforts of others. Ive seen a lot of this lately, both here and with
my son. It was very important for me to learn. When asked who her leaders and mentors are,
she said, they arent the same today as they were a year ago. Obviously, Angel Gutierrez (her
boss I will attest that he ROCKS so cleary Gina is on the right track). He does things with such
enthusiasm and authenticity. You feel his fire. But not just Angel its everyone I work to serve.
Their kindness, gratitude and humility are have truly transformed what I believe in and who I
want to be.
When examining the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership (Kouzes and Posner, pgs.
13-21), its impossible to pick one that Gina doesnt do well. In total, Ive probably only spent 3
hours in her presence in my life. However, her very essence personifies these practices quite
perfectly.
Gina is, in my eyes, a role model, and Im sure her employees and the individuals she
serves would echo this claim. She models the behavior [she] expects of others (Kouzes and
Posner, pg. 14) by working long hours and never quitting until the job is done. I value efficiency
and completeness, Gina said. I would never leave a project unfinished. However, Ive never
had to tell anyone this. Whether its the type of work or my modeling this, I dont know. But its
something Im very proud of in my colleagues.
In my hour and a half meeting with her, Gina was inspiring me to think bigger I can
only imagine the inspiration she is to those always around her. Shes innovative, and gives credit
to those with good ideas. The non-profit world demands evolution. Especially with budget cuts,
you have to convince people that their work matters and that theres both a need and a reason for
them to be here. Along similar lines, Gina is particularly impressive at Challenging the Process
(Kouzes and Posner, pg. 16) she makes it known that progress is the only direction she moves

in. She was very open to hearing my feedback and suggestions about certain ideas for the One
Summer Plus program, and was constantly asking me (she genuinely wanted to know(, What
does a 20-something want to know about employment? She recognizes she may not always
have the answers, but she asks the right people the right questions, and isnt afraid to reach out to
others who may be better suited to answer a question. I very much admire that it is the mark of
a true leader to entertain an idea that is not their own, and support it properly.
Perhaps Ginas shining practice was Enabling Others to Act (Kouzes and Posner, pg. 18).
She very much is passionate about creating a world that is more equal and accessible for all
humans Im confident she implements this into her workplace as well. She mentioned earlier in
our chat that leaders must take a backseat approach, but first inspire individuals to act
themselves. She was quick to delegate roles and even diminish her own power. In a meeting
later, when there werent enough water cups, she looked at her intern and said, Here! Take
mine. A small gesture, sure. But there are very few CEOs and high ranking individuals that I
know who would give up their cup of water to an intern. She made us all feel important in that
meeting, and if Im being honest, I dont think she was doing anything out of the ordinary. I think
you can tell a lot about a person by the way they speak of others; anything Gina said about
anyone was kind and genuine.
Its evident that Gina loves and truly believes in the individuals that she both works with
and those that she serves. She gives humanity and dignity to all she very much acts out of love.
The authors of Love, Forgiveness and Trust ask, Could it be that love is the ultimate act of
earning credibility? (Caldwell and Dixon, pg. 92). Personally, Id say yes. But Gina has so
many beautiful qualities, Im not sure which if any are the selling point of her credibility.

Shes absolutely trustworthy, and Im sure she forgives herself and others too, though I didnt
really find any explicit evidence of that in our chat.
Throughout our conversation, I saw so many characteristics of a leader exhibited by Gina
that werent mentioned in the book. She was mature and approachable, and her posture and
presence confirmed her authority. She has the title, as well as many awards and accolades that
sing her successes and praises. But perhaps she best demonstrated her leadership qualities by her
ability to both see the big picture while also was able to narrow down on all of the small moving
parts. She seemed very authentic, very unapologetic for who she was. She is hardworking and
wickedly intelligent, and one of my favorite leadership characteristics: a good listener.
At the end of our conversation, she cocked her head at me and said, Dont believe them
you CAN have it all. Demand that. Stop at no less.

I believe her.

Sources
Caldwell, C., & Dixon, R. (2010). Love, Forgiveness, and Trust: Critical Values of the Modern
Leader. Journal of Business Ethics,93(1),91-101.
Kouzes, J., & Posner, B. (2002).The leadership challenge (3rd ed.).San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.