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Welcome to Smart, Amazing Conversations with Dr. Nancy, a podcast that explores the stories of life and leadership from extraordinary women – and men – who are making a difference and creating a better world. Each episode features powerful conversations filled with personal stories, insights, and actionable advice to inspire you to lead, learn, and make a difference.
Show Notes:
Dr. Nancy welcomes DeNora Getachew and Keely Quinn, leaders at DoSomething.org, as they share their inspiring work empowering youth to drive change. Highlighting the importance of civic engagement, equity, and environmental activism, they discuss how DoSomething.org equips young people with the tools and resources they need to take action and make a difference. From fostering leadership to addressing critical issues such as mental health and climate change, Getachew and Quinn demonstrate the transformative power of youth-led initiatives in shaping a better future.
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About DeNora Getachew:
DeNora Getachew serves as the Chief Executive Officer of DoSomething, a pioneering social profit organization with a 32-year legacy of empowering youth to lead and take action on the issues that matter most to them. Under her leadership, DoSomething continues to inspire young people to drive meaningful change in their communities and beyond.
A seasoned democracy lawyer, Getachew has dedicated her career to advancing free elections and fostering a multiracial democracy through her work in both government and the social profit sector. She has held appointments on several high-profile commissions and task forces, including the New York State Public Campaign Financing Commission and the New York State Civic Readiness Task Force. Getachew also serves as Chair of the Board of Higher Heights for America, an organization amplifying Black women’s political power and leadership. Additionally, she serves as the President of the Greater New York Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and has contributed her expertise to the boards of Planned Parenthood, the New York Junior League, and Union Settlement. Her commitment to education is reflected in her service on John Jay College’s Pre-Law Institute Law Advisory Board.
About Keely Quinn:
Keely Quinn is the Vice President of Programming & Impact at DoSomething, where she leads the development and evaluation of innovative programming that amplifies youth voices and drives measurable impact. Quinn’s work ensures that DoSomething’s initiatives resonate with its members and address the root causes of pressing societal issues.
With over 15 years of experience in crisis communications, program management, social impact, and social justice, Quinn has held key leadership roles at organizations such as Health Leads and The Grossman Burn Center. At Health Leads, she spearheaded global and U.S.-based campaigns tackling critical issues like food insecurity in marginalized and migrant communities. Quinn is a staunch advocate for leveraging lived experiences as valuable expertise, collaborating with impacted communities to create relevant and engaging programs for today’s youth. Since joining DoSomething, she has transformed its programming from one-off actions into sustained initiatives that empower young people to build civic power and drive long-term change.
About DoSomething:
DoSomething.org is a global movement that empowers young people aged 13-25 to create positive change in their communities. Since 1993, it has engaged over eight million members in addressing pressing issues such as climate action, equity, and mental health. Through innovative campaigns and programs, DoSomething inspires young people to lead, volunteer, and advocate for a better world, resulting in members achieving numerous impactful milestones, including donating five million pairs of jeans to homeless youth and organizing 200,000 peers to combat gun violence. As a coach and connector, DoSomething fuels the next generation of changemakers, ensuring their voices drive meaningful action and lasting impact.
Timestamp:
[00:03:17] Influences Leading to Work at Do Something
Quinn describes her path from actress to her work in foundations, her passion for stories and uplifting voices, building leadership skills in adolescents, and her move to DoSomething.org.
[] Self-Advocate to Amplifying Voices of Young People
Getachew shares her experience as a young advocate, her challenges as a pregnant high school student, and how those experiences shaped her involvement in helping young people make the shift from curiosity to commitment to civic leadership and service.
[00:08:53]Volunteerism Can Be as Cool as Sports
Getachew provides the 32-year history of DoSomething.org, its founding vision, evolution from a grassroots, curriculum-based organization adapting to a digital-native audience, and current focus as the largest online platform for youth-driven change.
[00:12:21] Building Muscles for Leadership
Quinn adds specifics on how DoSomething.org takes curious young people and guides them through actions, leadership, and civic engagement, including the “Show Up for What?” series.
[00:16:16] Camp Reboot Mental Health Initiative
Quinn shares a young woman’s journey in Camp Reboot, and how she created an online safe space for Black Florida teenagers, co-founded a foundation with her brother, and is reaching out to other communities for mental health.
[00:18:29] Staying Relevant to Youth Today
Getachew highlights how youth connect digitally, including through gaming, and the importance of meeting them where they are, evolving their work to build community, and providing opportunities and learning for service.
[00:19:43] Three Pillars of Issues
Dr. Nancy and Getachew discuss key issues that concern young people, including safety and well-being (physical and mental health), equity and justice (particularly gender equity and representation), and climate/environmental concerns.
[00:24:20] Setting Up Youth for Success
Quinn expands on giving youth agency, helping them learn by allowing them to fail safely, and reinforcing their valued voices within DoSomethin.org.
[00:27:25] Looking for New Ideas and Opportunities
Quinn directly invites young listeners to join DoSomething.org, share ideas, and get involved, whether as newcomers or established youth leaders.
[00:28:31] DoSomething.org—Youth-Centered Action and Service
Getachew invites adult listeners to encourage youth participation and support Do Something through donations, spreading awareness, and referring a young person who wants to find their civic identity.