Stacy James, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood, Columbia Willamette, shares what she’s been reading.
Stacy James, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood, Columbia Willamette, shares what she’s been reading.
This past June, James became the sixth president and CEO in PPCW’s 50-year history. The job requires plenty of travel, locally and nationally, and James uses that time on the road to read. Humor and murder mysteries are two of her favorite genres, and she often mines books for lessons that might apply to her professional life. Both The Power of One and Football for Dummies (described at right) focus on the importance of having a strategy and plan for the future. Says James: “As a CEO for a nonprofit, I think it’s important to provide and promote a vision with employees, donors, volunteers and for our patients that talks about hope for our future and the importance of caring for each other and treating each other with kindness and respect.”
Football for Dummies “I got this one last year when my youngest son went out for football. It’s a great beginner’s guide to the game, and by the time I was done, I understood what he meant when he said he was a ‘pulling guard.’ More surprisingly, it had insights for my day job as well: to delegate, to trust your defense and your line, to prepare, that hard work pays off, and to have a good game plan but always be ready if the situation changes.” | |
The Power of One “This mythical coming-of-age story, set in early 20th-century South Africa, is one of my favorite books. Its vivid imagery and taut storyline weave together to tell a tale of perseverance and tolerance in an increasingly intolerant time. This book helped me realize the importance of always having hope, inner strength and a strong right hook.” |  |
