Habiba Bankston (SP ‘20) cares deeply about her community and its people. It’s a level of care that was amplified through her participation in Leadership Columbus’ renowned Signature Program. As a Class of 2020 participant, she learned a lot about overcoming adversity, as she, her classmates, and the rest of the world were learning how to live, work, learn, and connect amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “Those circumstances really brought everything we were learning in the program full circle. It’s all about people coming together to connect, collaborate, and take on challenges. And that year, there were many,” she says.
Through her Signature Program experience, Habiba built a deep understanding of her community’s needs and challenges and a desire to drive meaningful change. She also built strong relationships with people who became mentors and guides, encouraging her to follow her heart and recognize opportunities for increased civic engagement and personal growth.
This led Habiba to her role at Dress for Success Columbus. “At the time, I loved the work I was doing supporting corporate community relations and volunteer efforts, but what I learned through the program, along with a new level of appreciation for the critical role of non-profits, inspired me to find a way to make an even greater impact.” Habiba now makes that meaningful impact every day as Executive Director of Dress for Success Columbus, empowering women with a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools and guidance they need to achieve economic independence and thrive in work and life.