11 Things You Should Know About DeNora Getachew

Date Published: April 12, 2021

Name and pronouns?

DeNora Getachew (she/her)

Where are you from?

New York

What’s your role at DoSomething?

Chief Executive Officer

Editor’s note: Learn more about DeNora’s previous experience here!

1. Why are you excited to work at DoSomething?

DoSomething’s mission and the power that it holds to catalyze young people to effect change on issues important to them is what drew me to the organization. I remain inspired daily by young people stepping firmly into this disrupted, yet incredibly transformative moment and demanding change, equity, and justice for themselves and their community.

2. What cause (or causes!) are you most passionate about?

I’ve dedicated my career to eliminating structural barriers to civic participation, advocating for more equitable policies across a broad spectrum of issues and activating youth to use their civic voice to advance systemic change.

My heart flutters for all of DoSomething cause areas because they speak to the pulse of young people. I’ve worked to advance change in many of DS’ cause areas, but if I had to choose one, my recent work at Generation Citizen and my personal experience leads me to pick education. We need culturally competent education to transform our society and create equitable opportunities for upward mobility and success, especially for historically marginalized communities.

3. Who or what is guaranteed to make you laugh?

Coming to America...in fact, my brother even incorporated a movie reference into his toast at my wedding.

4. Tell us about some young people who inspire you.

I am inspired by young people who understand how to translate their personal experience into systemic change.

In my personal and professional life, I have interacted with countless youth who found their civic voice while advocating for issues important to them and their communities. Students in Mr. Edelman’s classes at Union Square Academy, like youth in many Generation Citizen classes, advocated for several policies that would end police brutality and address racial justice. They advocated to repeal a provision in state law that shrouds police disciplinary records from the public and to stop policing food vendors who lack the proper permits.

As someone who has advocated for gender equity, I was also inspired by youth at Urban Assembly Institute for Math and Science for Young Women who realized that there was a lack of statues representing female African-American leaders in New York City and wanted to do something to change this. Their class advocated to diversify local monuments to reflect women’s contributions.

5. What’s your guilty pleasure?

I might have too many to name, especially ones that I’ve developed during the pandemic. A couple of items that top my list are cotton candy, a little gross to eat raw sugar, but it’s delicious; roller coasters; traveling with my husband and three children; puzzling; and eating at new New York City restaurants.

6. What do people usually come to you for help with?

On a fun note, figuring out their astrological sign and whether that means they have super powers or not.

More seriously, mapping out an advocacy strategy to win an issue campaign. Aren’t all cause campaigns important?!

7. What takes up too much of your time?

This is a hard one given that time is a relative concept during this disrupted time. These days, I’d say learning the newest virtual games my kids are playing...so that I can have a conversation with them at my own dinner table. A close second is actually finishing the New York Times Weekend Edition during the weekend.

8. What’s an accomplishment you’re proud of?

Passionate and committed people work hard to advance change they believe in. They often do so without recognition or asking for credit. They do it because they believe in social change. I was so humbled and honored to be recognized by Citizens Action New York as an “Everyday Hero” for my dedication to creating an accessible, inclusive, equitable, and representative democracy last fall. Being honored alongside fellow democracy champions and with my own superhero avatar, no less, fueled me and made all the hard work even more worthwhile.

I’m also proud of having run the New York City marathon in 2018. #BucketList.

As an avid swimmer who loves the ocean, I am proud of swimming with sharks in open water when I was in French Polynesia during my honeymoon.

9. What’s something you know way too much about?

I’m a New Yorker who loves her bagels. So I spend a lot of time researching and trying out bagels. I also know a lot about states’ voting laws, which are all different because each state sets its own voting laws.

10. What's the biggest change you'd like to see in the world in the next five years?

I’d like to see more young people in positions of influence or power at decision-making tables in the nonprofit, private, and public sectors globally.

11. Anything you’d like to say to the DoSomething community around the world?

I’m excited to be a new “old person” in this youth-led movement for good!