Meet Trailblazer Pamela Trudeau

Today we’d like to introduce you to Pamela Trudeau.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Pamela. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
In 2009, I received a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts and worked in the water and wastewater field for a few years. During that time the housing industry was going down, so I worked in home energy efficiency and residential solar. While at the solar company, my family and I started attending Dream City Church. One of the missions of the church is a food bank called Mom’s Pantry. My heart pulled me to this place so I decided to volunteer. After serving for about a year, I decided I wanted to change jobs and do more for the community helping people. About the same time, the position to be the Director of Mom’s Pantry opened! I spoke with the founders and Church to see if it would be a good fit! In February of 2016, I began my role at Mom’s Pantry. God had blessed it before I began but really poured it out when I started. People came out of everywhere to volunteer, food donations increased and we began to provide more people with more and more food in the smooth and flowing process!

Has it been a smooth road?
The road has not always been smooth. I had been in management before during my college years but always had a superior that made the call and gave direction on tasks. As the Director of Mom’s Pantry, I was in charge, I made the decisions. There is a board I need to answer to but it is my responsibility to run the company. Some days were a little overwhelming and my lack of confidence tried to get the best of me. Thoughts would go through my mind like, “why would they choose me? I’m so unqualified.” Other days, pride would slip in and my thoughts sounded like, “look at me, Director!” The best advice I have is to pray. God has a way of providing the perfect balance between confidence and humility. Everyone struggles and we all need guidance. Prayer allows me to receive direction from the one how cares the most about be and grace for when I don’t get it right.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

We’d love to hear more about Mom’s Pantry.
Mom’s Pantry is a community food bank located in Phoenix, Arizona. We provide food to individuals and families who struggle to put food on the table. At each visit, our guests are offered non-perishables, fresh fruits and vegetables, frozen food, bread and hygiene items. We pride ourselves on our quality of service. For many people, it’s a struggle to even walk in the door and ask for help. We provide a kind and loving atmosphere for people to come and not be judged during the difficult season they are going through.

What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
I feel that the biggest barrier today to female leadership is that woman fight it. I do know there are companies that purposefully do no promote or hire woman into leadership roles. I sought a management position at a company I worked for a few years ago. During the first year, I wanted out of my cube and into an office. I thought that if I had an office, I’d arrived. As time went on, I saw the character of the current leader and realized I did not want to be associated with that type nor did I want to become that. Sometimes, it’s for our own good to let that door stay closed. God has a better plan.

I have been in many different management positions since I was 18 years old by working my way up. Those roles where earned. I was placed there because of my work ethic and ability to perform the job, not because I fought to be there.

Proverbs 27:2 Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.

I do know there are companies that purposefully do no promote or hire woman into leadership roles. I sought a management position at a company I worked for a few years ago. During the first year, I wanted out of my cube and into an office. I thought that if I had an office, I’d arrived. As time went on, I saw the character of the current leader and realized I did not want to be associated with that type nor did I want to become that. Sometimes, it’s for our own good to let that door stay closed. God has a better plan.

Pricing:

• 100% of monetary donations go directly towards the supply of food
• $30/month provides for a family, how many families can you help?

Contact Info:

• Address: 13440 N Cave Creek Rd
  Phoenix, AZ 85022
• Website: http://www.momspantryphoenix.org/
• Phone: 602-992-0083
• Email: pam@momspantryphoenix.org
• Instagram: momspantryphx
• Facebook: momspantryphoenix
• Twitter: momspantryphx

Image Credit:
Isabel Clark, Kat Niemeyer

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