 | Barbara Simpson Epps, VP/Director of Corporate Relations
6/1/2010 11:15 AM | | Bob-e Simpson Epps |
Barbara (Bob-e) Simpson Epps has spent a lifetime working to enhance the operations and effectiveness of organizations in both the public and private sectors. Deeply committed to strong, healthy communities, Bob-e has used her expertise to build and sustain programs in diverse business environments. Bob-e is currently the vice president and director of corporate relations for First Children’s Finance. In her position, she is currently launching the Children’s Chamber of Commerce, an initiative to recruit business people to support First Children’s efforts to create successful, sustainable child care businesses. Prior to joining First Children’s Finance, Bob-e held positions with the Maryland State AIDS Administration, Associated Black Charities (Baltimore, MD), Goodwill/Easter Seal (St. Paul, MN), the Children, Families and Community initiative (St. Paul, MN) and CHART/WEDCO (Minneapolis, MN). Her human resources experience includes managerial positions for Imation and Silicon Graphics. During her career, she also ran her own consulting firm for seventeen years, specializing in public health, diversity, change management and organizational development. Bob-e received bachelor of arts degrees from the University of Northern Iowa in broadcast journalism and speech pathology. She is active in professional and community groups and has received numerous honors in recognition of her leadership.
How did you get involved with First Children’s Finance?
I’ve known Jerry since before he started First Children’s Finance. We both went to the University of Iowa. We actually met about 22 years ago while I was doing community work in St. Paul in Frogtown and the Selby Dale area. Once he meets you, he’s got you. We stayed in touch through the years. I worked out east as assistant deputy director of the Maryland State AIDS administration. He connected with me on his many trips to the east coast. He would come to Baltimore, or I would go to D.C. We would talk about what he was doing here. When I was moving back to Minnesota, I decided to take this opportunity with First Children’s.
Why is First Children’s important?
The importance is that it focuses on the heart of the educational system – making the businesses where our children are cared for become all they can be and more. If businesses are not run well, it’s difficult to stay in business and equally difficult to have quality care for children. Because First Children’s does the business of child care extremely well, we can assist those businesses that are having a rough time. Those that have problems become better, and those that are already good become even better.
What’s your vision for First Children’s?
Success means we continue to build on our programs and services, offering them in many national and international communities. That way, more communities would become stronger, offering stable and quality care for children. Our success would not only be measured in dollars, but also in the quality of care for children. We can have a huge impact on the child care system, taking advantage of partnerships with the business community, agencies and funders. I also envision that our staffing would be reflective of all the communities we’re serving.
What do you like to do when you aren’t working on behalf of First Children’s?
I play with my six grandchildren who range from 2-17. There are a lot of teachable moments. They teach me, and I teach them. I also read and love to write. I write more poetry than anything else. I write about life and life experiences from the perspective of a grandparent, because I’m continually learning from them. I reflect on my childhood and how fortunate my grandchildren are compared to some of the children we work with. I also like to cook and garden.
What else would you like our readers to know about you and First Children’s?
First Children’s Finance is very entrepreneurial, open to new ideas and new thoughts, not afraid to step outside the box. That’s what’s most important.
| |
