ASSOCIATE SPOTLIGHT SERIES: AN INTERVIEW WITH ISABELLA DONAGON
August 21, 2024
In our Associate Spotlight series, we are highlighting associates across the company who are shaping our community and who embody our Centric Brands philosophy every day.
Meet Isabella Donagon, Assistant Merchandiser, Hudson Jeans. In her interview, Isabella discusses how she consistently challenges herself to step beyond her comfort zone, both personally and professionally, in order to broaden her perspective and foster growth.
What is one quality that you bring to your role that you think makes you stand out?
What sets me apart from others is my natural inclination to be a “fixer.” I love diving into challenges and problem-solving, especially if it means making someone else’s day a little easier! I am happiest when I can contribute to others’ success and well-being.
In what ways do you actively seek opportunities for personal and professional growth?
Getting involved in anything that broadens my perspective or gets me outside my comfort zone is my favorite way to initiate growth in my personal and professional life! One of the biggest ways I do this is by volunteering my time for international philanthropic work through my church. In fact, I recently got back from an incredible two-week mission in Nairobi, Kenya, where I helped establish a school for special needs children living in one of the most impoverish areas in the world, the Mathare Valley.
How do you handle experiences when dealing with ambiguity and navigating uncertainty?
I look at navigating uncertainty like being a detective in a mystery novel! (I love a good book.) I gather my clues, analyze my options, and keep a cool head through the entire journey. It’s all about embracing the unknown and looking at each twist and turn as a chance to learn and grow.
Can you discuss when you had to manage competing priorities and tight deadlines?
As a merchandiser, I often work on multiple seasons at once, so managing competing priorities and tight deadlines is a constant challenge. This was especially true during the six months leading up to my mission to Kenya. I had to balance work while also fundraising $3,500 for the trip. Using Excel to stay organized with my tasks was my saving grace for maintaining deadlines!
What’s something surprising that not many people know about you?
By the time I was 11, I had experienced the loss of both of my parents. This often surprises people because, despite these circumstances, I have maintained an optimistic perspective on life. Over the years, I’ve come to realize the importance of finding opportunities in all situations. While we can’t control what happens to us, we can control how we perceive it. One of my favorite quotes is from Tony Robbins: “Life happens FOR us, not to us.
