Well, if I have learned one thing in my life, it is to expect the unexpected! As much as I was enjoying serving as President-Elect, working closely, and becoming very good friends with Jane McAuliffe, I was truly stunned when she called with the exciting news about her husband Marty’s career opportunity. I am happy that they are off creating a new adventure!! You can imagine that we immediately started talking about how that affected my role and that got me extremely excited! Here I am, now starting my own new adventure leading WAHHI!
If we have not met, you may want to learn more about me as I embark upon this Presidency. I joined WAHHI in February of 2020, mainly for another golf group to join. I loved the group and the ladies participating in the group so decided to check out other interest groups too. As is my nature, I usually do not just dip my toes into the water – I jump in with both feet! I became an ambassador, helped with decorations, and joined about ten other groups as well. I helped with the chef series for the Burnt Church Distillery event and served as a greeter at a few of the luncheons. I then had the honor of serving on the Council last year as the Communications Chair.
After spending my childhood in the suburbs of Chicago earning my degrees in Psychology and Sociology, my husband and I moved to the New York area for his job. After that short stint on the east coast, we were transferred to Dallas where we raised our two children (Cameron 32 and Melanie 29). While they were in school, I was extremely active in the PTA serving all positions from updating the marquee to fundraising, and eventually served as President. I led girl scout and cub scout troops, was always the team mom and was volunteer of the year representing their elementary school in Plano, Texas. After Cameron and Melanie finished high school and went off to college, I decided it was time to get back to my career in the human resource field. I then served as the Employment Manager for both the Hyatt Hotel company and JC Penney.
Both my husband and I retired in 2017 and became consultants in our respective fields. We purchased our home in Sea Pines in late 2017. Unfortunately, my husband had a fatal heart attack in January of 2018. So, I regrouped and spent that year trying to figure out “life.” I became a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate AKA Guardian Ad Litem) helping foster kids navigate the foster care system in Dallas before deciding to move full time to Sea Pines in the spring of 2019. Since then, I have become very involved with the WCSP (Women’s Club of Sea Pines) and WAHHI, connected with Tim Ashley, a golf pro who became my partner, and am grateful for all the wonderful friends I have made and the life I’ve built here on HHI.
I am continuing Jane’s theme of “connecting” for the year because, frankly, it is perfect! As the organization continues to expand, it is more important than ever to help members become more connected, informed, and engaged with other women through WAHHI. Women need a village filled with other women to share experiences and knowledge, or simply share an “ear”, a glass of wine, or cup of coffee (or tea) so that we may live life to the fullest. I find joy in spending time with friends and family and meeting new people. I love it when I meet someone new, and they are encouraged to be a little braver to try something new, a little more grateful for what they have, or a little more comfortable with themselves. So, if we have not met, but run into each other somewhere, be sure to say hello! I am honored to lead and look forward to serving as your President!
Warmly,
Debbie Gorski