Becky Gabany 38 Occupation: Owner, ChangeBridge Consulting
Email: Becky@ChangeBridgeConsulting.com
Education: Bachelor of arts in communications; master of arts in human services Family: Husband, Adam; two sons, Julian and Arlo; 30-plus pets
Affiliations/community activities: National Association for Community and Restorative Justice, co-chair, DEI committee; Washington Street Mission, life skills training facilitator, volunteer; St. Patrick's Catholic School, community advisory committee; Illinois Women in Leadership, DEI committee; Certified Diversity Executive and professional designations from the Institute for Diversity Certification; Level-1 Trauma-Informed Practitioner certification through the Attachment and Trauma Network; National Rise to Health Coalition Individual Practitioners 2024 cohort; 2024 Forefront Illinois Racial Equity Collective inaugural cohort; Women Entrepreneurs of Central Illinois, member
What is your guiding principle in life? When I think of my guiding principles, I think of inclusion and the Platinum Rule. I love to connect people, resources and knowledge together to create meaningful, lasting impact. You can't do that without inclusion and treating people the way they want to be treated.
What led you to your current career? An unexpected layoff became a turning point for me. In a time of crisis and pain, I was met with overwhelming community support and mentors. They encouraged me to build ChangeBridge Consulting, so I could continue supporting positive change in the community.
What would you like to give back to your community? The community has given me so much. I strive to follow and uplift all the incredible leaders doing amazing work to advance equity and inclusion; and I hope to fill gaps that help contribute to the brilliance, resilience and needs of our community.
What obstacles have you been able to overcome on your career path? As a woman and first-generation college student, I've learned how to navigate complex, unfamiliar systems as well as pressure to shrink or conform; but I've found when I embrace my full, authentic self I consistently have the greatest impact and success.
What has been your greatest professional achievement to date? Launching ChangeBridge and, in our first year, facilitating more than 50 speaking engagements, generating strong return on investment by securing over $500,000 in grant funding for nonprofits and driving supplementary income to community partners through equity-centered collaboration.
What's the song you sing in the shower? Anything Taylor Swift, of course.
