Woman in Business - Beth Hazelton, Director of Development & Communications at Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region

Beth is a recent addition to the Women’s Business Council’s Adopted Non-profit, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region (RMHC-CR) She started in April 2024.

Beth’s favorite part of working with the RMHC-CR is the team she gets to work alongside. She says that every day she is in awe of the incredible work – and amount of work – this team does to provide care for our precious families. All of our services are provided at no charge to our families and every member of this team is dedicated to each and every one of them.

Read on to get to know Beth, especially why her role is so important to her personally, and to find out about the items she can’t live without.

When you have 30 minutes of free time, how do you pass the time?

When I am blessed with free time, you can find me in my gardens, spending time with my family, and cooking for my family and friends.?

What do you love most about what you do? I love being a part of the Ronald McDonald House Charities, knowing every day, everything we do is helping the lives of families with children who are ill or injured in need of healthcare. Meeting these families and being able to serve them means the world to me.

What would you most like to tell yourself at age 13?

No one needs that much Aqua Net. Put the can down and back away! But seriously, I would love my younger self to know it is okay to not have all the answers… It always works out and the journey is truly the best part.

What have you gained from being a member of the Women’s Business Council? A wonderful network of amazing women all eager to help one another on the journey. It is refreshing and a joy to be a part of.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

“Do ordinary things with extraordinary love.” – Mother Teresa

Why did you join Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region? In 2005, our family tragically lost my niece, Seana, in her battle with leukemia. The Ronald McDonald House Family Room at Albany Med was an incredible resource for us. I have reached a time in my life where I want to serve, to know the work I do is making an impact to make someone’s life a little better.

What do you enjoy most about volunteering? I love meeting people and learning their stories. Volunteering allows me to live out our call to serve as I meet some pretty amazing people in the process.

What do you love most about your new role?

I love meeting people right where they are, learning what they are passionate about, and helping them connect that passion to helping others – whether philanthropically, through volunteering, or spending time learning from one another.

How do you define success?

Success to me is making someone’s life a little brighter, knowing my family is proud of who I am and the work I do, and finding joy in the everyday.

Who inspires you?

My family inspires me, my faith inspires me, and the RMHC-CR families we serve not only inspire me, but they keep me grounded in what is truly important.

If you could choose anyone as a mentor, who would you choose and why?

If I could choose anyone as a mentor, hands down it would be Mother Teresa. In the worst of circumstances, she could find hope and goodness. She quietly conquered mountains and when I look at the work she accomplished, I know I have nothing to be stressing about!

What advice would you give to someone who wants to enter your field?

Listen. Listen to what is being said, listen for what is not being said. Trust your instincts and be ready and willing to serve.

What’s one thing — either industry-related or not — you learned in the last month?

It is NEVER too late to learn new skills! I am enjoying every moment of learning new software, tools, and processes.

?What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?

I don’t know if it’s a fun fact but when I share that I ride a motorcycle with my husband it seems to bring surprise to many! We enjoy time together exploring our beautiful area, especially with fellow riders in support of charity.

What’s the last book you read?

I am currently reading “101 Essays that will Change the way You Think” by Brianna Wiest.

What is your favorite hobby?

Entertaining! I love to cook and host people for good food, conversation and wine. Reading runs a close second, tied with gardening.

What’s the first concert you ever attended? Three Dog Night when I was four months old. The first one I remember is the Beach Boys at SPAC in 1982. My favorite concert was Bruno Mars on my 45th birthday back in 2014 and I never miss Get the Led Out when they are anywhere in the area. Eclectic, eh?

What’s the next place on your travel bucket list? Fingers crossed it is back to France as I am a total Francophile. Very soon thereafter I hope to enjoy my first visit to Tuscany.

Are you currently binge-watching any shows? The Chosen

If you had to eat one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Pasta with vodka sauce. Absolutely!

What’s one item you can’t live without?

I am loathe to admit it, but this would have to be my phone. It is my portable computer, contact with my family, financial planner, calendar, and audible library. But the more fun answer is my red lipstick. Armed with a great lipstick and fabulous pair of shoes, I believe all is possible!

?