Devereux's Servant Leadership Snapshot Recognizes Strawberry Fields' Employee
Servant Leadership Snapshot
Devereux’s talented and hard-working team members lead to serve, while inspiring others to learn and grow. Our “Servant Leadership Snapshot” series shines a light on exemplary servant leaders across our organization who empower all those around them to be their best selves. Look below to read features written by these compassionate collaborators as they help their teams, programs, departments and centers reach even greater heights through Servant Leadership.
Dottie Ewing, Scraps and Skeins Store Manager
Length of service: 11 Years
How do you embed a welcoming, Servant Leadership mindset into your daily processes?
I am fortunate to work alongside dedicated teammates who are passionate about serving our staff, community and the Strawberry Fields mission. Their commitment and positive attitude make my role both meaningful and rewarding.
I do my best to be approachable, recognize contributions and create an environment where team members feel valued, supported and empowered in their roles. I also encourage mentorship and collaboration, helping staff develop their skills and confidence while fostering a culture of mutual respect and service.
How do you inspire others to embrace Servant Leadership practices?
I hope to inspire others to embrace Servant Leadership by mentoring and encouraging kindness, patience and compassion in everyday interactions. I believe creating an environment where people feel supported and valued helps strengthen both the team and the mission.
Share an example or story of how you demonstrated compassion or delivered quality customer service at your center.
Several years ago, an avid quilter contacted us after being inspired by the Scraps and Skeins mission. During our conversation, she shared that she had accumulated a large collection of quilting supplies but no longer had anyone who could help transport them to our shop.
After discussing her situation with our leaders, many of whom knew and admired her work, we arranged to assist her. We filled our vehicles with her fabrics, notions and quilting materials, ensuring the donation process was as easy and stress-free as possible. Both she and her daughter, who lived in Pittsburgh, expressed deep appreciation for the support and friendship we provided.
Because she was so well respected in the quilting community, we later invited her to spend time at our shop while we showcased her quilting treasures. She was reunited with former students, friends and fellow quilters who celebrated her talent and passion. Watching her excitement and pride as she saw her cherished supplies continue to inspire others was incredibly rewarding.
After she passed away, her daughter sent us a heartfelt thank-you note. In addition, she shared that her mother had encouraged others to donate to our shop in her memory. This experience reinforced for me that quality customer service is about more than completing a transaction – it is about building relationships, listening with compassion and helping people feel valued and connected to a mission they care about.
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