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Category: Spotlight on Civic Leader

Leading with Heart: Amy Taylor on Volunteer Services at Methodist Richardson and Community Engagement in Richardson, TX

Directing Volunteer Services at Methodist Richardson Medical Center As the Director of Volunteer Services at Methodist Richardson, Amy Taylor oversees a vital team of nearly 200 active volunteers, consistently seeking dedicated individuals who wish to give back to the community. Her department supports several key programs: Daily Volunteers: Commit to a weekly four-hour shift, handling essential tasks like escorting patients and visitors, restocking supplies, and supporting the surgery waiting area. Unit Volunteers: College students pursuing careers in medicine who commit to a year-long, weekly four-hour shift, gaining direct experience working with nurses and healthcare technicians. Pastoral Care: Volunteers who partner with the Chaplain to offer spiritual comfort. Pet Therapy: Rigorously trained volunteers and their dogs providing comfort to staff, patients, and visitors during stressful moments. Junior Volunteers: Local high school students who participate each summer to gain an introduction to healthcare service. Amy emphasizes that working with people who are so committed to helping others is the best part of her job, citing the recognition of volunteer Jerry Nichols as a Richardson Real Hero as a defining, meaningful moment. Richardson Roots and Career Path A true local, Amy was born and raised in Richardson and is a proud RHS graduate. She holds a degree from Texas A&M and initially pursued marketing and promotions in radio and cable TV (working with networks like HBO/Cinemax and Oxygen). Her path shifted toward community involvement when she joined the Eisemann Center, which eventually led her to the Director of Volunteer Services position at Methodist Richardson. She describes the role as a “perfect fit” that allows her to help people directly within a healthcare setting. Deep Community Involvement in Richardson and Plano Amy’s commitment extends far beyond the hospital. She is highly involved in community leadership and the arts: Cultural Arts Commission: She actively serves here, helping to review public art submissions (including the new artwork at the Richardson Animal Shelter) and participating in the annual nonprofit arts grant process. Leadership Richardson: A proud member of Class 32, she is actively involved in the Leadership Richardson Alumni Association and maintains strong ties with her classmates. Richardson Chamber: An active member, supporting local business and community development. As her family is zoned to Plano ISD, Amy is also involved with Leadership Plano and the Vines High School Band Booster Committee and PTA, demonstrating her wide-ranging commitment to the local education system across both Richardson and Plano. Personal Life and Holiday Traditions Amy lives in the area, maintaining a small but close family unit. Her daughter is an aviation major at the University of Oklahoma, and her son is a percussionist at Vines High School. The family also includes two rescue dogs, Argo and Indie (Indie adopted from the Richardson Animal Shelter). In her free time, Amy enjoys local volunteering, attending concerts (like the annual Wildflower! festival), and traveling to warm destinations. For the holidays, her family keeps it simple: attending a Christmas Eve service followed by lasagna and Uno at her house, then gathering at her parents’ home on Christmas Day. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Methodist Richardson Volunteer Services to learn more about their programs.

Julie Snyder: New President & CEO of Richardson Chamber of Commerce

Tell us a little about your background. What experiences have shaped you both personally and professionally? I was born and raised in the beautiful city of Colorado Springs, CO. My family, friends and various work experiences have been instrumental in shaping my personal drive and personality. My journey in the Chamber world began in 1992 with the Reno, NV, Chamber of Commerce. Back then, I naively thought a Chamber of Commerce was synonymous with the “City” itself, not realizing it was an independent organization dedicated to helping businesses thrive.   What drew you to the Richardson Chamber of Commerce and what excites you most about this role? The Richardson Chamber of Commerce offers an incredible array of programs that truly benefit the business community. The resources, connections, and support that Chamber membership provides are invaluable and Richardson excels in all three areas. This is what excites me the most about this role. As the new President and CEO, what are some personal goals you’ve set for yourself in this position? As the new kid on the block, I have a lot to learn. My goals include meeting with a diverse range of Chamber and community leaders; working closely with the Chamber team to understand the intricacies of the Chamber and the Richardson community; and identifying our strengths and areas where we can introduce fresh ideas. How would you describe your leadership style, and how do you plan to apply it here at the Chamber? I’m an “all hands on deck” type of leader. I believe it’s crucial for the entire Chamber team to be ready to assist our members and each other. Fostering a strong sense of belonging among our members and within our team is key to our success. What’s a key lesson you’ve learned in your career that you believe will help guide your leadership of the Chamber? One key lesson I’ve learned is that the success of the Chamber is directly tied to the success of our members. This role isn’t about me; it’s about our members and their growth. Can you share a moment in your life or career when you felt particularly proud or accomplished? I felt an immense sense of pride when the leaders of the Richardson Chamber and community chose me to lead the organization. I have a deep passion for this industry and have dedicated 33 years of my career to helping businesses and individuals succeed. What do you think makes Richardson unique, and how do you see the Chamber playing a role in enhancing that? In my first 90 days in Richardson, I’ve experienced a remarkable sense of community and support from both businesses and individuals. The Chamber has a unique opportunity to build on this through our programming and outreach efforts. As someone who is leading the Chamber, what values or principles are most important to you in both your professional and personal life? As the leader of the Chamber, I believe it’s crucial to be a good steward of our members’ investments. By listening to and learning from our members, we can effectively provide value. Businesses work hard to earn their money and train their employees, and the Richardson Chamber is committed to ensuring their investment is worthwhile. Outside of your professional life, what are some of your passions or hobbies that help you stay balanced and energized? My husband of 26 years and I love traveling and spending time with our kids and two grandsons. To stay energized, I’ve been a LesMills fitness instructor since 2012 and hope to start teaching in the local area soon. If you had a free weekend to do anything you wanted, how would you spend it? Right now, I’d probably spend it with my two little grandsons, my pup, my hubby and kiddos! We love playing croquet and laughing a lot! What’s your “go-to” comfort food or favorite dish that always makes you feel at home? Oh, my goodness! Any restaurant in Richardson has my heart! I’m a chips and salsa fan and I love a great steak and potatoes. (I’m not known for turning down a meal – ever!) Is there a book, movie, or TV show that has had a big impact on you or that you simply love? Recently, I’ve enjoyed reading The Energy Bus and watching the mini-series “The Undoing.” What’s something about you that might surprise people? I was a tomboy as a kid and loved fishing, camping and dirt bike riding with my family. Also, I’m known for my Split Jumps – the cheerleader in me still loves to jump!

Ally Haynes-Hamblen (Executive Director, Eisemann Center)

Ally Haynes-Hamblen

 I grew up in Denver, Colorado, in a family of artists, so my interest in the arts was from birth, essentially. I earned my bachelor’s degree in theater from the University of Denver and after graduation moved to the east coast to start working professionally.

Curtis Poovey (City of Richardson Fire Department Chief)

Poovey-Headshot

I grew up in Rowlett back when that town was considered country and so small there wasn’t even a store to buy a pair of socks. We grew up riding horses, fishing and running around the woods. I was drawn to the fire service early in life. Both my father and brother were firefighters. After being around them and hearing their stories, I knew that firefighting was the career for me.

Don Magner (City Manager of Richardson)

Don-Magner

I was born and raised in New Orleans. I developed an interest in government and politics in high school, largely because of the unique nature of both in Louisiana. I developed a strong belief that local government should be managed by professionals who, above all else, are committed to integrity and service.

Gary Tittle (Chief of Police Richardson Police Department)

Tittle

I was born in Texarkana, but my parents moved to the metroplex when I was one and I grew up in Murphy. Mom and Dad both worked for the postal service; Mom retired from the Richardson post office, Dad from the Garland post office. While we didn’t live in Richardson, we did a lot of business here and spent time in the area.