by Joann Horton

I first met Demetria Snowden during an interview for the position of Sales Specialist with Pacific Crest. Having worked with her for a few weeks, I decided to ask her to have a cup of coffee, latté, or tea to get to know her better. She agreed.

Demetria strolled into Starbucks, and as she sat down, I was struck again by her engaging smile and warm demeanor. We met and talked late one snowy March afternoon over a latté and tea. I was awed as she lit up the place, just as she had brought new energy to Pacific Crest over the past four weeks. Demetria Snowden, our new Sales Specialist, is a woman with an engaging smile, an inquisitive mind, and a warm demeanor—a woman who continuously challenges herself to improve. I recalled her resume.... She brings over ten years of experience to Pacific Crest in the areas of sales, marketing, administrative support, instructional materials development, event planning and operations. In her roles as Director of Youth Services at two organizations, she functioned as the lead manager and supervisor of the customer services units. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Business from Southern Connecticut State University.

One of the skills essential to the Sales Specialist role is flexibility. How has your past shaped your ability to adapt to the changing needs of Pacific Crest? Demetria, a tall, elegant woman, seemed to get taller as she responded.

“My upbringing was anything but one dimensional—I lived alternately in New Haven, Connecticut with my parents and in Chicago, Illinois with my grandmother. Because my parents were musicians and I was an only child, I would visit them weekends around the country, during performances. Those frequent moves made me learn how to improvise and change tempos. My father, legendary jazz organist, Bobby Buster, with my mother (Doris) as lead vocalist, performed all over the country, with some of the greatest musicians ever:  Dizzy Gillespie, Sara Vaughn, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis and others. I recall a performance at the Audubon School of Performing Arts in New Haven. A large audience had assembled in the auditorium and students were eagerly awaiting my father’s arrival. He delivered an unprecedented performance from his collection of musical archives and rich cultural heritage. He set the standard in me for excellence, discipline and determination. He also taught me to persevere in the face of racism, jealousy, or any other type of adversity. My parents provided a solid foundation, but I learned teamwork and expanded flexibility through my various roles working with diverse groups in achieving objectives.” Demetria’s life references moved smoothly between her childhood and adulthood.

After pausing to reflect on Demetria’s rich heritage, I thought that I would explore her thoughts on learning, recalling her ongoing request to help her to learn more and to be more effective.

“Over the past few weeks, you have demonstrated a passion for learning—about everything that Pacific Crest does—particularly around the concept of transformative education. Can you give me some insights into your perspectives on learning and the value of a quality education?”

“For years I have worked to transform the character of today's youth and through mentoring groups, partnering with youth ministries, speaking engagements for summer camp programs, biblical teaching, after-school programs, etc. The question I often asked myself is, “how can these virtues be instilled in young people living in the midst of our mobile, media bombarded society? Schools need to create a values curriculum for teachers to teach, for parents and the community to debate and evaluate.  The result of that dialogue should be an inclusiveness of specific values in schools to strengthen character development. Lasting character values that improve behavior cannot be taught as a conceptual curriculum, but must be instilled as part of a behavioral curriculum, spanning from the culture of the school to the environment where children are raised.”

About learning….I feel that I have learned more in the last month with PC than I have learned in several years. I believe that’s because I am working in an environment that values learning, my personal improvement and challenges me to stretch.  PC’s tempo is just right for me.”   

How and why do you use assessment in your life?

“Although I did not know the formal term for it before joining PC, I have used self assessment for over three decades to improve my skills and work performance. I really enjoy the assessment process and working with such unique and talented people. Assessment is a key part of my personal development.  How can I improve my skills, abilities and performance if I do not reflect on my performance and how to improve it? 

I have a continual learning curve that I enjoy because it allows me to visually see the pattern, growth and internal spiritual connection I have achieved. Spirituality is not merely an abstraction, but an experience; not just a fuzzy notion, but a concrete and specific thing. And until you experience it yourself, there isn't much use in hearing someone else describe it. Here’s the bottom line: It should be intuitively clear that the entity which knows, the observer, is you. I believe that when you're in touch with your inner self, your character begins to form!”

What keeps you excited about what you do every day?

“Prior to my interview, I researched Pacific Crest and was amazed at how congruent its values and work were with what I believe and what I have done in my life. Working at Pacific Crest is...the word that comes to mind is “uplifting.” Why? The Company reflects my passion for learning, living its values, and engaging everyone in accomplishing its goals. You know, it is truly a pleasure to work for a company that openly values each individual for what she brings to the table. This is an opportunity of a lifetime—to help make a difference in many, many lives. My adult daughter inspires me and my sons, who are fifteen and twelve, keep me active and excited as they grow into young men.”

Some people describe you as a servant leader.  Could you share an example of a role that you played as a servant leader?

“I am passionate about the concept of servant leadership! We cannot create the future we want without engagement in changing the human condition—in a variety of ways. In the nineties, I served in a ministry that helped to feed poor people in African countries. I discovered that in any communal or indigenous society we see the other end of the spectrum, which is a belief in community.  In Africa, there is no such thing as a separate existence.  I believe that we all have an obligation to help others within the smaller and larger communities. “Each one reach one” is an appropriate descriptive phrase for servant leaders. My father used to say that one person could make a difference and each of us should try. Over the years, I have continued to try to make a difference through participating in the Center for Vocational Reflection Servant Leadership Program, serving at the AWIM Food Pantry and in my church youth ministry, and speaking at an annual Breast Cancer Seminar for teen girls last month. For me, servant leadership is both tangible and intangible—helping someone in need and being part of a conversation that nurtures the individual spirit and creates community.”

It is clear that Demetria's poise and personality are reflective of her integrity and passion for continual improvement in herself and the world around her. We are pleased to have her on our team at Pacific Crest.