Stephanie Seibel COPYRIGHTED My skill is building strong teams and connecting with people. 82 | march <strong>2020</strong> | www.<strong>Atlantic</strong><strong>Ave</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.com
egulars | city people by diane feen | Photo by Melissa korman Leading with Dignity Stephanie Seibel is at a loss for words when asked to describe herself. But others in her orbit are not. The CEO of Achievement Centers for Children & Families has cleared a lot of brush to make a smooth landing for children and families in Delray Beach. Nancy Hurd created this epicenter of learning and love in Delray and Seibel took the reins and is galloping forward. One could say she had mighty shoes to fill. But Seibel has risen to the challenge. “Stephanie is driven to be the best she can be. She’s makes her employees feel wanted, welcome; and with her help and encouragement - to achieve even better results. Stephanie has succeeded beyond even my great expectations,” said Tom Murphy, board member for 26 years and former president of the board of ACCF. To meet Seibel, you might mistake her for an exuberant intelligent soccer mom. But looks can be deceiving. Yes, she is a great mom. Her two teenage daughters are thriving. Olivia is a talented singer and gymnast, and Makenzie models and plays volleyball. Both children – and her husband Dale – have duties relegated by the calendar and not the full moon. It makes one wonder, who is this petite woman with the engaging eyes and perky personality? “My skill is building strong teams and connecting with people. I am also a good listener and I care about the people I work with,” said Seibel, who was born in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Seibel’s dad was a plastics engineer who moved the family around Pennsylvania and Ohio a few times. She graduated from Ohio University and went to graduate school at Slippery Rock University. Looking for adventure she attended a job fair in Chicago and ended up coming to South Florida. Her first job in Florida was as Student Activities Coordinator at Lynn University. From there she became the Event Services Coordinator for Broward Center for the Performing Arts. But it was her position as Associate Director at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital that opened her eyes to the world of non-profit work. “I really enjoy working in non-profit organizations. You feel like you’re contributing to the greater good of the community.” You bet she does. Ask anyone who has worked with Seibel and they will tell you how her passion is the underlayment for a solid foundation. “Stephanie is a great person. She is goal oriented and gives you space to perform your best. When she sets her mind on something, she gets it done. She’s a terrific boss,” said CFO Michel Gaber. Seibel is the product of her past. She learned about coordinating all the moving parts and building good teams at The Broward Center. She credits that job with teaching her the importance of communication and understanding other people’s perspectives. And with 100 employees and a $5 million budget Seibel needs to be nimble on her feet, yet contemplative and deliberate in her actions. As CEO, she secured new government contracts and donations of over $5 million. They also received funding for crisis and economic stabilization and a teen-mentoring program. But those accomplishments do not even scratch the surface of her imprint on this village of veracity. Their family strengthening program is pivotal in changing lives and is a hub for community collaborations. She has made infrastructure upgrades for security, databases, crisis response, IT and playground renovations. With two satellite campuses and the main campus, the ACCF is constantly buzzing with activity. Children are everywhere dancing, drumming, studying and playing. True to her humility and deference to a higher source, Seibel is rare to take credit for much of it. “Our success is a reflection of the talent and skills of our employees and team. People here are motivated by a desire to help. My job is to coordinate the moving parts and make sure they have what they need.” And with a degree in psychology Seibel is a student of people with a minor in empathy. In weekly meetings they share two sides to the same coin of existence. “We start our meetings talking about our personal best and business best. This helps build relationships. It sure does. It also cements the teamwork in team. “You can often judge the strength and quality of a leader by observing their team. Stephanie has an amazing team who truly finds joy in what they do, it is clear that they respect Stephanie at a very deep level. I see this same dynamic from board members who are deeply committed to Stephanie and the agency,” said Michael Neal, CEO of Kast Construction and VP of the ACCF Board. When it comes to the origin of her nature the tree has deep roots. She inherited her father Jack’s work ethic and acts of selfless service (he even renovated her home). Her grandfather, who owned an auto repair and gas station, was notorious for his boisterous nature and helpful countenance. And her mother Annette is a consummate volunteer with a business degree. “Growing up, my mom brought food and supplies for the classroom. She would give supplies to the teachers for children who didn’t have them. She was awarded the 2019 St. Jude’s Dream Home Volunteer of the Year.” It’s not easy to get this historical Seibel data. She seems to relish sharing the lighter details of her existence. “I love to ride roller coasters and explore cities with a lot of history – Savannah, St. Augustine, Portland and Seattle.” Though she is reluctant to talk about herself, others in the community are effusive about her talent. “The pressure of keeping children safe in today’s environment is enormous. Stephanie faces this challenge every day with equanimity and incredible skill,” adds Murphy. You could say Seibel embodies the words of John Maxwell. “Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flow charts. It is about one life influencing another.” Thank you Stephanie. Your path is strewn with silent awes and loud cheers. COPYRIGHTED www.<strong>Atlantic</strong><strong>Ave</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.com | march <strong>2020</strong> | 83
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