Today we’d like to introduce you to Ursula Hyman.
Hi Ursula, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was a Partner at the international law firm of Latham & Watkins for 23 years and an associate for seven years before that. Latham strongly encouraged pro bono work and I chaired the Los Angeles’ office’s efforts in that regard for several years. I carried that same commitment to helping others into my retirement years and I am now the president of the Assistance League of Pasadena, a 501(c)(3) organization. We provide a number of services to the Pasadena and Altadena communities. Until it was sold this past summer, I was also Vice-Chair of St. Francis Medical Center, an inner city hospital. I also am on the Finance Committee of Planned Parenthood of San Gabriel Valley.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Leading a non-profit during a pandemic has been a challenge. Our services were always “hands on.”. For example, we usually outfit approximately 1200 elementary students from low-income families in new school clothes as they “shop” with us on a one-to-one basis at our headquarters. In addition, we provided school supplies to junior high and high school students. In the FY 2021 school year, low income students still needed clothes and school supplies but our regular identification pipeline through the schools wasn’t available. The schools were closed and our liaisons on furlough. So we found new ways to identify students who needed our help. We formed alliances with organizations that had other reasons to meet with these families (a food pantry, health care, etc.) and designed ways to deliver clothing and school supplies through their established portals. We are a membership organization and our members were accustomed to frequent communication as they staffed our various activities. We needed new ways to reach them, so I started a weekly newsletter that is delivered at 6am each Monday. We discuss topics of interest, provide lighthearted stories and arrange for volunteer activities. For example, using our weekly communication tool we were able to collect over $4,000 worth of food and supplies for the Senior Center of Pasadena food pantry.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am most proud of my daughter, Caitlin Minges, whom you recently profiled. I went to law school when women were still relatively new in the profession. I graduated from USC and started at Latham & Watkins and stayed for 30 years. When I became pregnant, I was not yet a partner and the firm had no maternity policy because no associate came back after having a baby. I then realized that major institutions needed to address the unique needs of professional women and I worked with Latham and several clients to address how to train and retain 50% of their talent pool. Now I specialize in giving back to the community. At the Assistance League of Pasadena, we provide clothing for assault victims, give teddy bears to abused and ill children, furnish clothing and school supplies to low-income children, operate a thrift store and a store for senior artists and create special programs as we identify specific needs. At Planned Parenthood of San Gabriel Valley, we provide over 60,000 health care visits per year. The Finance Committee reviews and designs financial strategies to expand that work.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
My family and boyfriend make me happy. And have you seen my darling granddaughter? My friends, many of who are like family, also help make my soul sing. Besides family and dear friends, I am happiest when I am productive. I spent my life closing bond deals worth hundreds of millions of dollars each. We operated at the big picture level. Now I get to work one-on-one with volunteers and people in need. But those skills learned throughout my career come into play every day. I am blessed to be able to determine how to now spend my time. My career was fabulous, but as I near 70, I want to impact my community in a different way. Lots of beautiful buildings were built with the money I helped clients raise, but now I am able to help the people who visit those hospitals or schools and civic buildings.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.assistanceleague.org
- Facebook: assistanceleagueofpasadena
Image Credits:
1. Craft Fair Gift Shop, a philanthropy operated by Assistance League of Pasadena 2. Granddaughter Presley, age 3 1/2 months 3. Treasure Fair, a thrift store operated by Assistance League of Pasadena 4. My daughter, Caitlin and I during a trip to Greece 5. My boyfriend, Sam Ynzunza and I at a party
What to check out next:
Aleasha Bahr is a sales & marketing strategist known for showing introverts and ambiverts the Secret Art of Subtle Selling. She personally sold millions in revenue while discovering introverts are usually top sales people – as soon as they stop trying to act like extroverts. We’ve partnered with her to produce Introverted Entrepreneur Success Stories. Check out episode 1 below:
