it into Nagel were a few weeks later, in September 2020. Butcher’s recovery was flawless. Nagel’s — not so much. “Initially, it was a combination of my body trying to fight off Tami’s perfect and wonderful kidney,” Nagel said. “I ended up having a tougher time than they usually see with things like this. I was in the hospital for a few weeks. They were concerned that the kidney disease that ruined my other two kidneys was attacking the new kidney.” Nagel said he really didn’t start feeling improvement until about 80 or 90 days after, around Christmastime. By then, he was finally ready to go back to work and resume his life. And then he got COVID-19. “Honestly, the only place I had gone was my own home and to Mayo,” he said. “Somewhere in that, I got COVID. It lasted in me for about three or four months. I tried everything they had in their arsenal, but my immune system was so weak. I thought I might be a long-hauler. But finally, in about June, I started to feel a little bit better, have a bit better wind.” Now, after months and years of fighting kidney disease, Nagel feels great. He’s playing tennis a couple of times a week, working full-time and “counting my blessings every day.” The moral of the story, of course, is giving. Butcher gave Nagel an extraordinary gift, one that literally saved his life. And she got something out of it as well. “I think it’s just the fear people have of the unknown, but I’m living a completely normal life, the same as before the donation,” she said. “If anything, I might be living a bit better, because I’m more aware of my health and taking care of my body.” “I wouldn’t have asked on my own,” Nagel said. “I wouldn’t have asked. And all of the sudden, I didn’t have to ask. I still feel a little bit guilty about it, the sacrifice Tami has made, and her family, husband and children — they were all so supportive of this. It really blew me away.” NEXT DOORS { ahead of the curve }

7:30 A.M. >> THE RHYTHM OF A DAY On my way downstairs every morning, I get attacked in a friendly way by my three dogs. I am the “treat lady,” and they know a treat is in store when I get up. I start my coffee, get their treats and contemplate my day. My rhythm is contemplation, action and reflection. I’ve developed a pattern at this stage of my life that begins with contemplation in the morning and continues on my drive into the office. I think about my schedule for the day, what I want to accomplish and who needs my attention today. 9 A.M. >> THE TEACHER BECOMES THE STUDENT I hit the ground running as soon as I arrive at the office. I was selected to participate in Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust’s Piper Fellowship program and have chosen to take Spanish and earn a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Certificate from eCornell to support my professional development. DEI is a big issue for us, particularly in the nonprofit sector. It must be led from the top if the organization is going to embrace it fully; it is not a ground-up type of initiative. I’m proud that Esperança has a diverse board from a gender and racial perspective, and that’s been intentional. A significant percentage of our workforce is of color, and I am the first female president and CEO in the organization’s 52- year history. But inclusion is another story. How do we work together to be inclusive of all our cultures? I’m taking Spanish as part of my Fellowship because participants and community partners speak Spanish, and I can’t speak to them without a translator, which keeps me stuck. I’m driven by connection with people, and not being able to speak someone’s language is a huge barrier to communication. The Fellowship is designed as a sabbatical throughout the year focused on personal, professional and organizational development with time off to do the work. I have a strong set of leaders, but if I’m here, they don’t Julie Coleman I Contributing Writer President and CEO, Esperança A Day With JERI ROYCE OFFICE DOORS { valley changemakers } Royce loves getting hands-on with Esperança’s Stove to Table meal delivery program. Each week, a team of volunteers cooks, packs and delivers 200 meals for seniors in HUD housing — all healthy versions of popular Hispanic dishes. FRONTDOORS MEDIA | 59 | MAR/APR 2022