Pat Reiser

The president and CEO of Family Violence Center Inc., which serves women and children affected by domestic violence, said that stubbornness has come in handy.

“When I accepted the CEO position, we were only receiving funding on 54 percent of the grant applications we submitted. Today, we are up to 85 percent, and our cash on hand has increased 31 percent,” she said.

Reiser was working as the organization’s accountant when the board of directors asked her to step into the “huge shoes” a year and a half ago. She said she had some qualms about taking the position.

“I stumbled through the first few months, suddenly thrust into a social-service role for which I was untrained,” she said. “I was making speeches, writing grants, supervising 25 staff members, working with a board, soliciting donations and the other 101 hats that a director must wear.”

For Reiser, the bottom line to success is teamwork, which she fosters through leading by example and with enthusiasm.

“My staff and board have caught my enthusiasm and determination, and we are working as an efficient and goal-oriented team,” she said.

For the first time, she said, Family Violence Center is operating with a full board of directors, with a list of qualified applicants waiting to join the ranks.

Family Violence Center has served women and children for three decades. In 2005, the organization provided 22,014 safe-bed nights of shelter and served more than 38,000 meals.

“Domestic violence breaks women’s and children’s spirits,” Reiser said. “(They) come to us with the most basic request: to help them to be safe.”

When she’s not working for the center, Reiser serves the community in several ways, including serving as a member of United Way of the Ozarks’ speakers’ bureau.

She also is involved with Violence Free Families, Continuum of Care and her local church.

“My philosophy is that we are all in this together ... life, and our ability to change things around us,” Reiser said. “With a collaborative, holistic approach, we can move mountains, or feed the hungry, or shelter the abused.

Our power is endless if we all look at our world together, with a vision of improving life for everyone.”

Family Violence Center Inc. was selected as a finalist for Springfield Business Journal’s 2006 Nonprofit of the Year. “It was an honor that reinforced all our hard work,” Reiser said.

Personally speaking

As a young child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be an actress. But growing up on a farm soon made me realize that there were a lot more things more important, like horses! Then I wanted to be a horse trainer.

Please tell us about your family.

My brother and I were raised on a farm in Nebraska. I still live on a farm with a very understanding husband, Dale. We have two great kids Brent and Jessi, who have two wonderful spouses. I also have a perfect granddaughter, Paige.

Tell us something about you that most people probably don’t know.

I was a track star in high school. I went to state all four years in sprints.

If you could go back in time, what person would you most like to meet?

Mother Teresa. I think we could all learn something from her selflessness.

Beyond the Golden Rule, what philosophy do you live by?

No matter where you go, there you are. It means that no matter where you are or what you are doing, you need to make the best of it, because wishing you were somewhere else is just a waste of time. I try to find the humor in everything, be it cleaning the bathroom or listening to a boring speech. It makes the time go faster and lowers your blood pressure!