10 Year Spotlight: Q&A with Gaylynn Driver
A Decade of Difference-Making: Celebrating the Foundation’s First 10 Years
Ten years ago, the Foundation hired its first team members and began work in our local community. Office Administrator Gaylynn Driver was there. As our longest serving team member, here since day one, Gaylynn has seen it all – from the formation of our team to the evolution of our mission to the hundreds of grants we’ve awarded and hundreds of gatherings we’ve convened.
Throughout this year, we’re sharing stories from our first ten years, highlighting moments of impact and a handful of the initiatives we’ve been proud to support, in celebration of our decade of difference-making. Here, we spotlight Gaylynn Driver, who works tirelessly behind the scenes. We’re so grateful for her service.
YOU JOINED THE TEAM ON DAY ONE. COULD YOU SHARE WITH US A MEMORY FROM THOSE EARLY YEARS? WHAT WAS IT LIKE JUST GETTING STARTED AS A NEW ORGANIZATION?
Some of my earliest memories include assisting in the search for a creative agency to develop/create a logo design for the Foundation, comparing and selecting a grant management platform for our grantmaking work, coordinating and attending community listening sessions, as well as learning about the social determinants of health and how they influence health outcomes.
WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO GET STARTED IN THIS WORK?
It was an exciting new adventure as I learned about the focus and purpose of the Foundation to create a community in which all people can lead healthy lives, regardless of race.
HOW DID YOU DECIDE TO COME WORK FOR THE FOUNDATION?
In 2012, I was hired as the executive assistant for Bayfront Health Foundation and had the opportunity to continue as an administrative support person for the conversion Foundation, now known as the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg.
WHAT’S SOMETHING FROM THE PAST DECADE THAT YOU’RE PROUD TO HAVE BEEN A PART OF?
The Foundation’s 2016 inaugural grant round “Healthy Beginnings” was especially notable, as $3.9 million was distributed in grants to 19 local organizations focused on addressing the social and environmental determinants of health. It was a monumental process for our newly created team. Other highlights include the Courageous Conversations learning and training sessions that each of our team has been a part of, as well as the relationships developed with community and partnerships to engage and advance health and economic equity.
WHAT’S LED YOU TO STAY THROUGHOUT THE YEARS?
What continues to inspire my commitment to the Foundation is our intentional focus on advancing health equity in the community—work that feels both urgent and deeply meaningful. Being part of a team that brings such creativity, passion, and heart to every challenge is very rewarding.