Meet Jessie Bustamante of ACCEL

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessie Bustamante.

Hi Jessie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Having grown up surrounded by strong women, I always knew that there was nothing I could not overcome. Having seen people lose everything in a moment, I also saw these same people find the motivation, determination, and drive to get back up and make the most of whatever is left.

I studied Spanish at the University of Arizona (UofA), hoping to move to Mexico and find a way to serve others in need. Fast forward to meeting the man of my dreams at the end of my four years at the UofA, who was from Mexico but had zero intentions of ever living there again. I knew I had to find a way to serve others, regardless of the destination.

Post-college, I worked in real estate development, where I had the opportunity to serve others by building a community in a brand-new neighborhood in the west valley. Through my community outreach and increasing involvement, I was offered the role of Executive Director for a small community center in El Mirage, Dysart Community Center. This propelled my passion and solidified my role in the nonprofit sector. I was indefinitely going to raise money and lead organizations serving those without a voice or needing someone to amplify what they wholeheartedly deserved, needed, and couldn’t obtain for various reasons.

I worked my way through various nonprofits, and the ones that most resonate with me are the ones where the dollar we raise today will be in someone’s hands tomorrow. I am a matchmaker for those who want to make a difference with their dollars and find a way to immediately put their dollars into action.

Currently, I serve in a variety of ways to support others. Professionally I am the Chief Advancement Officer at ACCEL. I have formal roles as a Board Member for Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary, a Board Member at Leadership West, a Member of Suns Charities 88, and an Advisory Board Member at the University of Arizona Foundation. I am also a volunteer at Love Them All Sanctuary and Rescue and various other worthy causes here in the valley. My favorite volunteer role is serving homeless senior pets helping them with whatever resources are needed to help them find their furever home.

Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Every day presents new obstacles and challenges to overcome, but I focus on how to fix them and move on. Of course, family death has been my greatest challenge in life, but in honoring the memory of my loved ones, I push forward and keep living. I do this by leading an incredibly talented team of individuals by removing barriers if something is in their way. I’ll make it my mission to figure out how to get over, around, or through it so we can push forward. I don’t go to bed angry because I deal with any elephants in the room as fast as possible, and I am 100% me. I don’t fluff, act, or be anyone other than myself. Life is short, and I choose to make the most of it with whatever available resources. I prefer to live with gratitude and surround myself with like-minded individuals.

Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your business.
I have the great privilege to be the Chief Advancement Officer at ACCEL. In this role supporting the disability community, I oversee fundraising, marketing, community outreach, admissions, communications, and any external relations matters. ACCEL has an early intervention therapeutic clinic, a K-12 special education program, and Adult Day Centers. Our hallways and classrooms are full of joy, hard-working individuals who give 110% daily, and a lot of fun. My role is to share the incredible work of others, raise funds to do everything we can for each person and invite the community in to experience what’s happening in their neighborhoods.

One of my favorite stories is about a young student who came into our program because she had various behavioral challenges, and her home district could not meet her needs. Once she stepped foot into ACCEL and got the one-on-one attention she needed, she could work through her needs and eventually return to a classroom with her typically developing peers. It is truly incredible to see the work of the real angels within ACCEL and represent everyone in the community.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My mom is my hero. She has been my guiding light my entire life and, to this day, is the most incredible person I know. Even when I make a mistake because I admit I am not always perfect (hah), my mom is there to catch and lift me. We all need someone who builds us up, and she always does.

I am so grateful to a variety of people. Kelsea Patton, now with the Arizona Humane Society, encouraged me to apply for Leadership West while working for DMB Associates. Michelle Dionisio, the former CEO of Benevilla, introduced me to local west valley leaders Luisa & Birt Kellam, who offered me my first nonprofit role at Dysart Community Center. These individuals propelled me into a new world I never knew existed. Most recently, I owe gratitude to Ray Damm, CEO of ACCEL, for taking a chance on me four years ago when we were able to enter the unchartered territory to raise the profile of ACCEL. Lastly, I want to thank the entire Board, Executive Director Luisa Chocron, and the volunteer leadership at Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary for opening my eyes to the whole new world of animal rescue. People have found ways to believe in me throughout my life, and I can only hope to do the same for others in any way I can.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.accel.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessiethebustamante
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrsjessiebustamante/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessiebustamante/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/accel_arizona & https://www.facebook.com/ACCELArizona 

Image Credits
KJBursey Photography