Congratulations to our incredible Director of Operations, the one and only, Joanne Fowling, for being recognized by the Worcester Business Journal as one of the Forty Under Forty!
Joanne M. Fowling, 36
Title: Director of operations
Company: Boys & Girls Club of Worcester
Residence: Worcester
Birthplace: Worcester
College: Northeastern University
Since becoming a volunteer with the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester 11 years ago, Joanne M. Fowling has climbed the ranks and made history as the first woman, and woman of color, to hold the 132-year-old club’s director of operations position.
She oversees three locations in the city, serving several hundred youths every year. Her work was first noticed when she was a part-time education instructor and more kids began participating in the homework support program and seeing report card improvements. She gradually took on greater leadership positions where she developed a community and college volunteer program. Leading by example, Fowling has never stopped being a mentor for youth, especially young women. Over the past five years she has been instrumental in having 100% of the club’s high school seniors graduate on time, and attend college. Beyond the Boys & Girls Club, she has volunteered building a playground in Plumley Village, providing meals and toiletries to disadvantaged individuals in the community, and supporting two daycares.
What movie character would you like to be? Nala from the Lion King. Nala was a force to be reckoned with. From her confidence and curiosity as a young cub to her leadership and fearless nature as an adult lioness, she commanded the attention of all.
What life goal will you accomplish in the next 10 years? I will see my firstborn son graduate high school and my youngest son become a rising high school senior. My family will own property, to leave a legacy for our sons to have something to build upon and lift the burden of financial strain. I will have raised leaders within our agency to do great things.
Click here to read about the other 40 Under Forty, Class of 2021