Female Disruptors: Davina Patterson of Disability Resource Network On The Three Things You Need To Shake Up Your Industry
An Interview With Candice Georgiadis
Always have a plan and set goals-Planning and goal setting are instrumental in fulfilling your mission. Unexpected events may occur but your plan and goal is your road map to stay on target. It keeps you focused. As a new Center for Independent Living, we had to work under the umbrella of an established center. It was projected that our center would be granted approval to conduct a spin off in 2–3 years from the start date. Our center performed a spin off in less than the projected date. It took one year and 8 months to complete the spin off. Goal setting and planning were key in meeting the benchmarks required for the spin off. I give credit to my amazing team and supportive board members for working together and entrusting my leadership to provide direction to the organization.
As a part of our series about women who are shaking things up in their industry, I had the pleasure of interviewing Davina Patterson.
Davina Patterson is the Executive Director of Disability Resource Network, a newly established Center for Independent Living located in Huntsville, AL but services 13 counties in North Alabama. She is a proud graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Healthcare Management and a member of the UAB Women in Healthcare Leadership Council . Davina is a change agent and visionary that is making an impact in the community by removing barriers and stigmas for people with disabilities.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?
I have a career for over 15 years in healthcare. I started out working in local hospitals and clinics. After being in healthcare for over 10 years, I finally received a leadership position in 2015 as a Business Manager of a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). It was my introduction into non profit management. I managed three sites in North West Alabama. The three sites were located in underserved and unserved rural communities and served primarily Medicaid and uninsured patients. I witnessed the challenges the patients and providers faced and developed a passion for serving this population. I saw an opportunity in 2020 for a Center for Independent Living Director for the North Alabama region. This would be an advancement for me and a historical moment. This was the first Center for Independent Living in North Alabama and I would become the first female Center for Independent Living Director in the state of Alabama. I started with Disability Resource Network in 2020 but worked under another the umbrella of a Center for Independent Living in Birmingham , AL, Disability Rights and Resources, before we completed our spin off. On October 1, 2021 Disability Resource Network completed all state requirements and is an independent Center for Independent Living. I became the Executive Director and we currently have a total of three staff members including myself. Our staff and board members are composed of people with disabilities. The independent living philosophy states that 51% of the staff and 51% of the board members are people with significant disabilities. I got into non profit management because I wanted to make a difference in the community. I work for Disability Resource Network because I wanted to be apart of an organization that empowers people with disabilities.
Can you tell our readers what it is about the work you’re doing that’s disruptive?
I advocate for people with disabilities to live independently. I’ve been able to make an impact in the community by promoting an inclusive and accessible society. I work with local agencies, organizations, and municipalities to provide accessible services. We are currently working with Alabama Department of Public Health and the Disability Vaccine Access Opportunities to make sure COVID vaccines are accessible for people with disabilities. I work to make sure the spotlight is on people with disabilities and Centers for Independent Living. I serve on councils and committees to bring disability awareness and serve as a resource. We are a referral agency for Arbor at Moore’s Mill to place consumers in affordable and accessible housing for people with disabilities as well as the Huntsville Housing Authority Emergency Housing Voucher Program for those that are seeking housing. People with disabilities face barriers that non disabled people do not face. I am committed to close the gaps in these barriers. I work with people with all disabilities. As a cross disability organization we serve people who self identify as a person with a disability. No medical records, documentation, or diagnosis is required to receive services. There are people with invisible disabilities and others with visible disabilities. Centers for Independent Living welcomes and serves all people with disabilities. We also work with all age groups and believe in a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. Disability is diversity and people with disability should receive reasonable accommodations. Disability Resource Network is the first and only Center for Independent Living in North Alabama. I have been tasked to introduce the community to Centers for Independent Living and to provide consumer controlled independent living services to a region that has not used this model in the past.
We all need a little help along the journey. Who have been some of your mentors? Can you share a story about how they made an impact?
I’ve had several mentors over the years. My former supervisors, teachers, professors, community leaders, peers, and family members have offered support and guidance through out my journey. They have made an impact by dedicating their time and knowledge to impart on my journey to make sure that I’m successful and prepared for the task and assignments in my career path.
In today’s parlance, being disruptive is usually a positive adjective. But is disrupting always good? When do we say the converse, that a system or structure has ‘withstood the test of time’? Can you articulate to our readers when disrupting an industry is positive, and when disrupting an industry is ‘not so positive’? Can you share some examples of what you mean?
Being disruptive can be good but uncomfortable. It’s not always popular! Everyone may not have the passion for your mission, vision, and purpose but when you get an opportunity and platform, you have to be the voice. You may have an unconventional idea and your beliefs may not be accepted by the majority. Don’t get discouraged! Stay persistent and focused. You are bringing a different perspective and highlighting an issue that needs to be addressed or a new idea that has never been implemented . Disrupting an industry can be positive by forming alliances and partnerships to support initiatives and programs that can benefit the industry and the community. Embrace and take pride in your mission. When you communicate and present your passion you can gain followers, sponsors, donors, and collaborations that can lead to endless opportunities.
Can you share 3 of the best words of advice you’ve gotten along your journey? Please give a story or example for each.
Be Intentional- I always wanted to work in healthcare. As a child, my career goal was to become a Dentist. I shadowed at a local Dentist office during high school. There were only two dental schools in the state of Alabama. This effected the college I decided to attend. I selected the University of Alabama at Birmingham because they had a dental school and it was the University my twin sister, who died at the age of 17 to cancer, received her medical care and had aspirations to attend. After my second semester in college my career goals changed. I wanted to continue to stay in healthcare but I longer was interested in Dentistry. I attended a University that was a leader in healthcare and offered many healthcare programs. I chose the Healthcare Management program and I worked in my field. I gained an interest in minority and rural healthcare. My experience and education helped me to become competitive in my career. I received my first leadership opportunity at a non profit and developed a passion for the non profit industry. Everything that I did was intentional and aligned with my career path. I changed paths but the mission and the vision didn’t change. Everything worked together to mold my career.
Stay active, visible, engaged, and involved-I’ve lived in the North Alabama region for ten years. I know people in the community but I had to learn the industry, by networking and building relationships with agencies and organizations in the community. I’ve used social media as a platform to connect to my 13 county service area. I support other organizations programs and events by attending and donating. I schedule virtual or in person meetings with organizations to introduce myself. I’ve been able to use my current contacts and network as a resource. I perform research to identify agencies, organizations, and key players in the industry. I study the demographics and culture of the region. Our organization host programs and perform outreach to have a presence in the community. Outreach and networking has connected me to opportunities and has been able to assist in gaining a presence in the community. Everyone knows each other. They will share their resources, send referrals, and invitations when you are involved.
Always have a plan and set goals-Planning and goal setting are instrumental in fulfilling your mission. Unexpected events may occur but your plan and goal is your road map to stay on target. It keeps you focused. As a new Center for Independent Living, we had to work under the umbrella of an established center. It was projected that our center would be granted approval to conduct a spin off in 2–3 years from the start date. Our center performed a spin off in less than the projected date. It took one year and 8 months to complete the spin off. Goal setting and planning were key in meeting the benchmarks required for the spin off. I give credit to my amazing team and supportive board members for working together and entrusting my leadership to provide direction to the organization.
We are sure you aren’t done. How are you going to shake things up next?
Parents that have children with disabilities need resources and support. I would like to work with the school systems to provide assistance for families with children that have disabilities and to work with educators that may need assistance in working with children with disabilities. A lot of children are being diagnosed with disabilities such as ADHD and Autism at a younger age. I also have plans for working with the rural communities. We are working on programs and initiatives that are available for all 13 counties but a focus on our rural counties. They are often underserved and not as resourceful as the metropolitan areas.
In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges faced by ‘women disruptors’ that aren’t typically faced by their male counterparts?
In most instances, females are the caregivers in their home and the primary contact for their children. Balancing your career and family life can be a challenge. Being a female leader, you may miss out on your kids activities and don’t get the opportunity to be the mom that goes on field trips. Your home life may be a little untraditional. Home cooked meals may not always be feasible for your lifestyle and you have to pick up some fast food on the way home. On the other end, your job may come second to having to nurse your sick child or take your child to medical appointments. Women are still out numbered by males in certain industries. They may not be able to relate or identify with the challenges women face. The workplace is changing and becoming more diverse. Women are receiving more opportunities and have taken more leadership roles.
Do you have a book/podcast/talk that’s had a deep impact on your thinking? Can you share a story with us?
I watch a lot of documentaries and I often read autobiographies. I have been inspired by the stories of Tyler Perry, Michael Jordan, Steve Jobs, Magic Johnson, Mary J. Blige, and Michelle Obama. I do a lot of journaling and writing. It’s a stress reliever and very therapeutic. It also helps me to organize my thoughts and brainstorm. I have a sauna room in my house where I go to relax, read, and meditate. I also have a sunroom that I use to listen to sermons by T.D. Jakes and instrumental music. Inspirational books that has impacted me are Becoming by Michelle Obama and Become a Better You by Joel Osteen. You have to train and program your mind to be focused and think positive.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
I would like to foster a movement that promotes Entrepreneurship and business owners. Many people have gotten burned out from applying for jobs and working jobs where they have the education and experience but they are often overlooked for job opportunities. This occurs for people with disabilities and people without disabilities. People with disabilities are effected by it the most and they have to receive fixed income from disability benefits due to the scarce of job availability. If more funding was established for small business owners and start ups many would have the opportunity to work from home and it would build the economy.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
One of my former co-workers had a quote in their office it stated “Forward ever, backward never.” That simple but powerful quote always stayed with me. It sent a message to me to keep moving forward in life. Don’t regress and go back. Your destiny is in front of you. Look to the future and stay focused on your direction and path. Anytime I ever decided to go back in life it set me back. From my personal experience, I would recommend that if you keep striving forward you will soar. Learn from your past. Your mistakes and failures will help you in your growth.
How can our readers follow you online?
https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/davina-patterson-aa7a4b9a
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!
