Jan Robbins took over late last year as executive director of GYN Cancers Alliance, formerly New Hope. Robbins, who spent 24 years with John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, has served on the nonprofit's board of directors for five years, including last year as president. She most recently worked as office coordinator with Carol Jones, Realtors. Robbins also serves on the board of the Ozarks Technical Community College Foundation.
Q: What's your goal for the group in the coming months?
A: We've gone through a five-year (startup) period, and it's really time to grow. That's been my mission, to update our strategic plan. We're reviewing it now because of the economic times, and we're trying to refocus our strengths. Grant writing is a big part of my job - I have help on that because I've not written grants before, but I jumped right in and wrote a few small ones. We're raising money to support our nonmedical financial side, and to support our outreach. It's about taking it to the next level - our budget right now is about $125,000.
Q: How is the group affected by the current economy?
A: It's tough - dollars are tight everywhere. We need to prove that we're worthy of the money, and the board has stepped up to help me get that message out. Of course, we're affected. There have been some organizational missteps in the past - I don't think our (allocation) is as tight as it could be - so we're redoing some procedures to better utilize the dollars that do come in. We're in a dry stretch, but I do believe the dollars are out there.
Q: Who has offered the most support to the organization?
A: We've been supported tremendously by the Missouri Foundation for Health, as well as the Musgrave Foundation, Community Foundation of the Ozarks, the Bee Payne Stewart Foundation and others - it's a matter of staying in touch, asking for help at the right time, and working in the system. ... We've also partnered with Fouché Enterprises (for) network and Web site services for the next year, which is a really exciting donation to us in kind.
Q: You worked as executive assistant to John Q. Hammons for more than two decades. What did you take from that experience?
A: I've always been, in my previous jobs, in positions where people are asking my superiors for things, and now I'm on the other side of it. I learned so many valuable administrative skills from Mr. Hammons - networking, collaboration. It takes a village to get a job like a hotel done, or to grow a nonprofit. I think those skills I learned in the hotel business are the strong foundation for why I really do love this.
Q: Tell us about your family.
A: I have a daughter and son-in-law that are both teachers living in Nixa, and I have a 19-month-old grandson, Preston, who is the light of my life. Then my oldest son is serving in Iraq - he and his wife are both in the Army. ... I couldn't be more proud of my kids.
April 7 was the official opening day for Mexican-Italian fusion restaurant Show Me Chuy after a soft launch that started March 31; marketing agency AdZen debuted; and the Almighty Sando Shop opened a brick-and-mortar space.
