We were lucky to catch up with Judith Youngblood recently and have shared our conversation below.

Judith, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

When my sons were small, we looked for a way to forestall tantrums and teach them delayed gratification. So when they wanted something we didn’t have, like graham crackers, we would put it on the grocery list and promise to get it the next time we went to the store. It worked so well that on one occasion, when my tearful toddler wanted applesauce and we didn’t have any, he whimpered and said, “Put it on the wist?”. We adopted WIST as our name in order to honor both who we are as a company and the family that has poured so much into this work. If you need something done, put it on the WIST!

Judith, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I fell into being fundraising because an opening at our public radio stations came up just when I needed a new job. My passion for public radio was quickly put to good use. From there I followed another lifelong passion and went to work for Kentucky Opera in the development department. (I had previously been a stage manager and a chorister for them.) It was there that I started to work with a particular fundraising CRM (constituent relationship management software) that I intuitively understood.

When I left fundraising work, I didn’t stop working with that CRM. Former colleagues knew that I understood it, so they would hire me to help them. I say that I got so busy that I had to form a company.

WIST Data Solutions will celebrate its 10th birthday this year. I have a team of smart, personable people who love tinkering in data as much as I do. We all have a deep commitment to philanthropy and want to make our clients do better – and do good – with the information they have. Whether we are cleaning an organization’s data, teaching them to use their CRM more effectively, or doing day-t0-day gift entry, we take pride in strengthening them to achieve their missions.

One of the things I feel sets us apart is that we each have a background in philanthropy. We not only know how to use the data, we know the why behind it. We are able to communicate our knowledge and commitment to the non-profits we assist. We are proud of their successes and that the work we do ultimately helps the world be a better place.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Lead with kindness always. And be genuine. Have a sense of humor. Listen. Hire well. Communicate plainly and without prevarication. When you have team as far-flung as I do, facilitate members’ interaction. Have short meetings regularly so they can see one another. Lead with kindness, first and last.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

As a partner consultant has said, “You aren’t like other data nerds. You can talk to people!” Stereotypes not withstanding, I think my theatrical background makes me an effective communicator and teacher. It’s one thing to be a subject matter expert, but to be one who capture and hold attention is another.

I hire for people who are engaged and engaging. I always ask about someone’s sense of humor. I’m not afraid to be my own quirky self in the hiring process because if they are uncomfortable with my style of communication, they won’t be a good fit for WIST.

I also think our reputation has been built because our clients feel like they have a friend in their corner. I believe they know they will be taken care of with us, and are willing to let others know what they have found in us.

Contact Info:

• Website: wistdata.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WISTdata
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judith-youngblood-2a4a515/