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From corporate finance to the neighborhood field: a different kind of comeback
My career never felt like a neat ladder. I worked my way through corporate finance — loan officer, then assistant vice president at Deutsche Bank — until a family move and three little boys changed the map. I stepped away from the office to be home, but I wasn’t idle. Volunteering, substitute teaching and teaching fitness classes kept me busy, useful and connected. Those roles didn’t come with fancy titles, but they gave me purpose and people to care for.
Skills that travel
What surprised me most was how much of banking came with me. The same habits that mattered in finance — organizing schedules, managing people, keeping meticulous records — proved useful running youth programs and supporting families after injuries. Client management became parent communication. Compliance awareness became careful incident documentation. The procedural mindset so prized in banks suddenly protected kids on the playing field.
That perspective reshaped how I saw Little League. Thinking like a regulator — spotting risks, setting clear reporting lines, doing due diligence — isn’t bureaucracy for its own sake. It’s about safety and clarity: fewer mistakes, faster response times, and less chaos when something goes sideways.
Reentering work — practical steps and real feelings
Going back to paid work at 54 was humbling. Tech had raced ahead; my confidence needed dusting off. I treated the return as a project: set short, achievable goals, take targeted classes, shadow people doing the job well, and reconnect with local networks. Often a conversation opens a door — that’s how I heard about an opening at the Little League grounds.
When my husband lost his long-term job, rejoining the workforce became both a necessity and a source of meaning. I refreshed regulatory knowledge and trained in claims handling. Now, as an Accident Claims Coordinator, I use financial smarts and people skills to guide families through stressful, confusing moments: explain coverage, lay out next steps, and coordinate with providers so parents can focus on care, not paperwork.
Practical routines that make a difference
My workday runs on small, repeatable habits. Keep triage protocols current. Give parents concise, calm instructions. Document incidents immediately so follow-up is seamless. These simple routines speed response and build trust.
Clubs need formal backups, too: clear written protocols, adequate insurance, and incident logs. Regular volunteer training closes the skill gaps that appear after long career breaks. And plain escalation criteria — who to call, when, and how — protect families and the organization alike.
Moments that matter
Some of the most meaningful work happens in quiet, ordinary exchanges. A steady voice on the phone, a clear plan after a tumble, or pointing a parent to the right clinic — those small acts cut through panic. At tournaments the role widens: we greet visiting families, answer travel questions, and share the giddy thrill of a first live game. Those human moments create loyalty and strengthen community far more effectively than brochures or ads.
Working big events — the World Series among them — underlines why reliable operations matter. When claims intake, safety teams and even souvenir sales all hum along, families can relax and enjoy the day. That ease turns into goodwill, repeat attendance and the steady support programs need.
Family, legacy and community resilience
Raising three sons and watching grandsons take the field gives this work a personal thread. Longevity matters: steady volunteers, dependable turnout and modest financial cushions make programs resilient. Treat community organizations like small institutions — pay attention to retention, predictable revenue and basic governance — and they survive lean seasons and keep serving families.
A different kind of career arc
What surprised me most was how much of banking came with me. The same habits that mattered in finance — organizing schedules, managing people, keeping meticulous records — proved useful running youth programs and supporting families after injuries. Client management became parent communication. Compliance awareness became careful incident documentation. The procedural mindset so prized in banks suddenly protected kids on the playing field.0