Miranda Forte-Doss joined Spark the Journey in December 2022. In her role, Miranda oversees Spark’s day-to-day financial and operational functions while also supporting the senior leadership team in strategic decision making and organizational growth. The main focuses of Miranda’s role are to maintain accurate and efficient data, streamline internal and external processes, and create smooth and transparent business operations; all to ensure we continue serving our program participants in the best way possible.
What made you want to work at Spark the Journey?
I’ve been in the finance and business operations line of work for 20 years now across a few different industries. However, it has not always felt fulfilling to me. A few years ago, I realized that the day-to-day tasks are always the same no matter where I am, but the impact and mission of the organization are what really motivate me to get up in the morning and come to work. With the support of my boyfriend (now husband), I left the private sector and started searching for a position that would be more meaningful and fulfilling. That’s when I found Spark, an organization that was making changes in our local community, and society as a whole, and I knew I wanted to be part of it.
Who’s a person in your life that ignited a spark in your journey?
My father. He has always told me and showed me that you don’t have to know where you are going or what you are doing, but if you are passionate enough and work hard enough, you can succeed. He built his own company from the bottom up and achieved success through his own insight and intuition. Not to mention he has always been my greatest supporter and biggest cheerleader!
What college did you attend, and what was your favorite thing about it?
I went to Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. My favorite thing was Dooley Week! The official mascot of Emory is the Eagle, but the unofficial mascot is a skeleton called Dooley – he represents the college presidents of past. Every spring, Emory has a week where there are different events daily that include music, food, swag giveaways, competitions, and games. Each day Dooley appears to random classes and “orders” professors to release their students early and it all ends with Dooley’s Ball that weekend. It was a really fun, creative, and silly thing to be a part of and speaks to the spirit of Emory that attracted me there in the first place.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
My favorite thing is trail running and just being outdoors. I’ll take it any way I can (except in under-20-degree weather)!
If you could meet anyone, past or present, who would it be?
Courtney Dauwalter
What three traits define you?
Organized, goal oriented, and loyal
What’s the most rewarding aspect about your role at Spark the Journey?
The Dalai Lama once said, “Contributing to other people’s happiness is the true meaning of life,” and that has always resonated with me. While I don’t have a lot of direct interaction with our programs or our participants on an ongoing basis, for me, hearing the positive stories from our program team, reading participants’ testimonials, and seeing the data on our impact all remind me that my work helps other people achieve their own goals and happiness.
What’s one thing you think more people should know about Spark the Journey?
The team is what really makes Spark. We describe ourselves as a community of support for our program participants, but I also feel that we are one for each other. I have never worked with so many people who respect, care, and work hard for their colleagues like the Spark team does.