This is the second in our series of “Meet the Staff” posts: this time, Carolyn Miller, one of our directors. Read previous “Meet the Staff” posts on the “Meet the Staff” page.
What’s your role at the D2 Center?
I am a director. I have a hand in most of the things that go on here, but my focus is mostly data collection and reporting, marketing and outreach.
How long have you worked at the D2 Center?
Since August, 2010.
Tell me about your education.
I graduated from Omaha Northwest High School and have a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Iowa.
What is your professional background?
After college I worked for a small software development company here in Omaha. I started off doing administrative work, then did PC and network support, product support, and technical writing. I was very fortunate that the management team trained me in different roles around the company and I got a lot of great experience that way. As much as I loved working there, I was ready for a change and moved to Seattle. In Seattle I started working as a contractor for Microsoft doing content management and then project management for two Microsoft Advertising websites. After five years, I joined Microsoft as a full-time employee and program manager, running the online community for adCenter to support small business customers advertising on Bing.com. After five years in that position, I moved back to Omaha and started here at the D2 Center.
Why were you interested in working at the D2 Center?
I liked the idea of using my program management skills to help kids get back into an educational pathway, and I liked the idea of starting up a new program from scratch, something brand new in our community to fill a need here. I was also ready to move back to Omaha and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to make a change in career and a change in locale.
What’s your favorite thing about working at the D2 Center?
I love the people I get to meet and work with who are passionate about helping people, especially kids, in our community. I love getting to know my hometown again and learning more about all the great resources here to help kids and families. And I love meeting our kids, who are overcoming all sorts of obstacles in order to complete their high school diploma. Their commitment is inspiring.
Tell me about your family.
I am married to Pete, who works at Heartland Family Service, and we have a three-year-old daughter. I have two sisters here in Omaha, plus a brother-in-law and two nieces. My parents live in Colorado.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to hang out with my family, read fiction, and watch movies. I also like to do projects around the house like painting and organizing. Even though we moved in last April, we’re still doing some unpacking, believe it or not!