We had the good fortune of connecting with Donna Swartz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Donna, what do you attribute your success to?
Our success is 100% built on the Tutu Live Krewe mission! There is no better way to reinforce our brand than the clearly-defined mission statement, which states:

“The mission shall be to offer mature women a unique opportunity to join a sisterhood of enthusiastic, inspiring community members, who are accepting of all members, regardless of size, race, religion, sexual preference, or dance ability. We serve to strengthen each other, embrace Mardi Gras culture, and promote community awareness.”

As we work through various decision-making processes, we always question whether or not our efforts support this mission, which provides the foundation for the “we before me” brand we aspire to. Confidence, happiness, humor, and kindness are the Krewe’s core values, and this permeates all we do – whether dancing, volunteering, or simply enjoying social time together.

The mission is a primary reason why we have been so successful and why we are on a waiting list for future membership. It is the reason women commit to months of practice and miles upon miles of dancing (rain or shine!). It is also why my all-time favorite Tutu quote is “the MISSION is the boss!”

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Like many professionals, I wear a lot of hats! Tutu Live Krewe is the non-profit I founded and manage, but my full-time career is at Galveston College, where I serve as Division Director of Industrial and Applied Technology and Program Director of Medical Administration. I credit my professional success to a high-level of commitment, a problem-solving and curious nature, the belief that all persons have individual skills and talents, and that fairness and equity matter. If we lay a foundation of trust (trust yourself, trust others, be trustworthy), we are much more likely to find stability.

Tutu and Galveston College may sound entirely different, but they intersect in many ways. I am proud that both organizations support our community, provide second chances, and create avenues for personal improvement and success. Additionally, they demonstrate the value of collaboration, a growth mindset, and integrity to get important things done.

Many lessons have been learned along the way, and things have not always been easy. This is certainly not unique to me. But one of the most important things I’ve learned is that effective leadership is always willing to extend grace, make apologies and corrections, and be open to viewpoints that may in some ways conflict with my own views and values.

I’m not ready to share all of my dark secrets with the world, but my legacy is definitely one of perseverance. Like my friend Rene always says: “Donna! We weren’t supposed to make it!” I’ve been in a position to give up many times, but have managed to keep going, and I work every day to honor the universe that has allowed me to still be here – a universe filled with talented, creative, empathetic, and honest human beings.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We would definitely spend an entire day on the pontoon boat (dolphin watching, getting some vitamin D, swimming with the jellyfish), we would visit Proletariat Gallery for coffee and/or wine, have lunch at the Sunflower Café, and tour the Bishop’s Palace. Assuming it was Mardi Gras season, we invite them to watch a parade while Tutu Live Krewe dances down the streets, then we finish the evening with dinner at Leland House and a cocktail and DTO. Who knows, we may even sneak into a speakeasy.

Another day may be lunch on the patio at Yaga’s Cafe, followed by a visit to the historic tall ship Elissa and Great Storm theater. Then dinner at Willie G’s, after which we would hop on a sunset boat tour (with a bottle of wine as contraband). From there we’d head to Mr. Taco for the best late night street tacos and ceviche, and we’d close the night with a beach bonfire and picnic with friends, sharing stories and laughs and sandy toes.

Finally, I’d put them to bed in the comfort of the Blue Butterfly House with a copy of Carrie Pulkinen’s “Love at First Haunt,” because what better way to doze off reading paranormal romance while visiting one of the most haunted cities in America?

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many! But if I have to choose one, I’d say Jay and Lori Carnes of Carnes Funeral Home in Texas City who reimagined Mardi Gras for the City of Galveston 20 years ago. They introduced me to parade life with my first parade experience on their Dancing Queen disco bus. I have been hooked ever since! From that initial inspiration, I have taken pieces of Mardi Gras culture as inspiration and focused on sharing that spirit of revelry with this community. I am still dancing, just in a different capacity. The love of music and dance and parading has never changed even though the method has.

Website: https://tutulivekrewe.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tutulivekrewe/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-swartz-ma-cpc-i-cpc-18881134

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tutulivekrewe/

Image Credits
The photo of me standing alone in front of the Hotel Galvez is credited to Debbie Borque. All others are provided courtesy of the Tutu Live Krewe

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