I am currently a full time employee with National Park Service (NPS), in Natural Resources Stewardship and Science, as a Research Coordinator/Director for Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit located on the Campus of University of Missouri – Columbia.

I have three basic rules that I practice.  What is important to me; one, my spiritual growth, two, family, and third, my career.  I have found if I keep my priorities in that order, I am successful. I am married and have one son, and one daughter.

Della Streaty Wilhoit
National Park Service
Della_Streaty-Wilhoit@nps.gov

http://greatrivers-cesu.missouri.edu

What do you think are the biggest challenges for professional women today? I turn challenges into opportunities. Success requires preparation.  The biggest challenge is for professional women to accept the differences between the sexes, instead of trying to eliminate them.  Simply put, in your field of expertise, handle yourself professionally and know that you are “one of the best”, man or woman.

What is something you wish you could change about your self? I believe the best thing to say is “I am comfortable in my own skin and happy about life choices that I have made”.  I do not have a wish list of changes of ‘self’.

Name one thing not many people know about you. I am a very private person.  However, I laugh a lot and enjoy the beauty of the earth. I like the land, understand ecosystem management, biodiversity and rural and socioeconomics, while remembering the human dimension of it all.  I must say that many people, including my family, do not know what I do for a living.  They know its Natural Resources “something”.

What is the best business advice you’ve ever received? I believe “there is a time to, lead, follow, or move out of the way for someone else to do the job.”

How would you describe your leadership style? Open, straightforward and communicative, yet knowing when a decision needs to be made, I will make it.  My leadership style comes from having three brothers and eight sisters. They help me to “agree to disagree without a fight”. Okay, some positions and arguments are worth fighting for.  Hold your own, passionately fight for what you believe in and step up to the plate to take the hits if necessary.

Has your career path held surprises along the way? Yes, definitely!  Who would have thought a poor black girl from the “Bootheel”, Hayti, Missouri would accomplish so much with so little.  Through higher education and sacrifices, I developed the knowledge, skills and ability to successfully lead programs in Natural Resources and Science as well as inspire others to achieve their dreams.  Success is liking you, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” Maya Angelou

What do you do to relax? Nothing. I sit still. I continue to define what relaxation means to me.    I listen to myself think.

What is one personal goal you haven’t yet achieved? Finishing my PhD. I expect to have this accomplished at the end of the year.

What is your workplace pet peeve? Whiners.  If a job needs to be completed, just do it. It takes longer for individuals to complain or hide from work than to complete it.

Who do you consider a career mentor and why? There are many special people who have supported me in numerous aspects of my career choices, however, my husband, John Wilhoit, Jr.  is my mentor. He inspires me to reach for excellence.  He understands and accepts my failures and my successes.

What is your dream job? I cannot predict the future.  Every job/position that I have held has been a vision and a goal towards something better. I have chosen my profession carefully, just about every job that I have had in the last twenty years was my dream job. Really.

What do you hope to be doing in 10 years – personally and professionally? Live, and as my daughter Angela would say, LOL (laugh out loud).  I am particularly interested in supporting the youth and the elderly of our community, our nation.  I would like to get involved in the Public School Board, assist in teaching others the ethics and morals that should be important in life.  Education is an important tool, no shortcuts.  I have lived in many States and found that there is hardly any place for teenagers to go for activities, therefore, I would like to build a Center for Youths to achieve their dreams, I am sure I will have helping hands  After all, I am a life learner.

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