Lori Blewett ALM ’18 serves on the HEAA Board of Directors as a director.
I’m a first-generation college graduate and American-born daughter of Filipino immigrants. My two sisters and I also grew up in a military family, and with our parents we moved across the U.S. and abroad. From pre-school through grad school I attended 16 different schools. As one can imagine, I learned to appreciate diversity in people and cultures, and wanted everyone to feel welcomed and included. I now live in Austin, Texas, with my husband, two kids, and two cats. We enjoy exploring and experiencing new things – especially traveling – and have just returned from our first trip to Korea and the Philippines.
This is a project I completed in my HES program that tells a little of my family’s story.
We had an inspiring chat with Lori about the creativity that drives her and the key moments that shaped her career journey.
Question: What inspired you to get involved with the work you do?
Answer: I’ve enjoyed working in communications for more than 25 years with experience in the newspaper, magazine, higher education, state government, and local nonprofit industries. I think I was drawn to this type of work because it allowed me to create with a purpose. I’ve helped people enrich their lives or reach their potential through my work. Whether it’s helping a first-generation student graduate or an employee plan for retirement, I’m glad the work I did, and continue to do, matters.
Q: How has your HES experience shaped your journey?
A: In 2018, I graduated from Harvard Extension School with my Master of Liberal Arts Degree, and a concentration in Digital Media Design.
The summer after graduation, after my student loan money ran out and our now family of four (I had two kids during grad school!) was living off one income, I was hired as director of communications for the city’s oldest downtown church. I’ve put many of those multi-media storytelling, videography, photography, and web design skills to use – especially during the COVID-19 pandemic to create online communities.
In 2023, I helped plan and publicize the church’s year-long 175th anniversary celebrations, including recognizing community organizations the church started in 1880s and some that donate more than $80 million annually to the Austin-metro area. Earlier this year my work was recognized with the inaugural Visionary Award by the Downtown Austin Alliance.
My HES journey is a gift because it has become part of my story. It’s a gift because it has helped me own every step of the journey – every struggle, challenge, triumph, and accomplishment. In turn, it has helped me become a better storyteller of my own story and the stories of others.
This video tells a little part of my work’s story. As the creative director I provided the audio and visual direction for the piece and offered talking points for each person featured.
Q: Can you share a memorable experience where your service made a significant impact, either for others or for yourself?
A: I had a full-circle moment this past summer that I think exemplifies how service can make a difference.
In the early 2000s, I initiated Project: Build a Park (staff lovingly called it PBAP), a 10-year partnership with Austin Community College and Austin Parks Foundation. Through the years, I, along with many hundreds of students and volunteers, helped build trails, remove invasive plants, pick up trash, and anything else APF needed in this 400-acre park. We provided thousands of volunteer hours to help our community.
I didn’t know 22 years later, long after the project ended and I had moved on to different jobs, that my kids would enjoy an outdoor summer camp in the same park.
While the project was recognized by Keep Austin Beautiful with their Community Involvement Award, I cannot describe the immense sense of community, pride, and “rightness” each day I picked up my kids with their smiling faces after a day at camp in a beautiful park with walking trails that I had a small part in developing.
Service is about giving of ourselves – our time, money, or talents – with no expectation of anything in return. Ironically, the returns for me in this case were immeasurable, and I hope the community will continue to enjoy the park for generations to come.
Q: How do you balance your personal and professional commitments while staying actively involved in giving back?
A: As my work responsibilities and family commitments have increased, my time to give back has decreased. I’ve learned to be more selective in how and when I choose to give back. I find ways to volunteer through my work or the kids’ school. When I know a work project or the kids’ activity schedule will limit my availability, I’m intentional not to commit during those times. I also find opportunities to serve where it’s a good fit and use of my time. While I love arts and crafts, I’ll let other PTA members volunteer in that way. I currently sit on two volunteer boards where I can lend my professional experiences to help lead organizations to further their mission through strategic planning, engagement, and communications.
Thank you Lori for sharing your story and impact!
