As part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Barb Clapp.
Barb Clapp joined Dwyer Workforce Development (DWD) as the CEO in 2021 and was chosen to transition Dwyer Workforce Development as a new venture from concept to a full-scale, national workforce development organization.
In her role, she leads nonprofit program development, operations, strategic partnerships, marketing tactics, and board development while leveraging past entrepreneurial and nonprofit success to develop an immediate and sustainable market presence.
A successful entrepreneur and national business leader, Barb was the founder and CEO of Clapp Communications, an international communications company that she sold in 2019 with the goal of taking her expertise into the nonprofit world.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
My volunteer work has largely focused on giving a voice to those who are often unheard. I have served on various boards, such as the homeless board and the board of social services, as well as animal rescue organizations like the Maryland SPCA and the Humane Society of the U.S. In addition, my early childhood experiences shaped my dedication to advocacy.
I was given up for adoption at birth and spent my first year in a foster home, which, from what I understand, was not particularly nurturing. Records from that time described me as a very fussy child, likely due to missing my biological mother. I was then adopted into a family with a very abusive, alcoholic head of household, making my early years extremely challenging. By the age of 11, I felt so desperate that I contemplated suicide, but thankfully, I did not go through with it.
To escape my difficult home environment, I took on various odd jobs, such as cleaning houses, babysitting, and working at the front desk of a real estate firm.
With my earnings, I eventually bought an issue of Vogue magazine and was inspired by a Chanel advertisement. This moment marked a turning point for me, as I realized that my life did not have to remain difficult; it could change for the better. This revelation also solidified my commitment to ensuring that others would not have to endure the kind of life I experienced.
Read the full article in Authority Magazine.