Once a year, downtown Columbus is flooded with the color pink. From shirts, shorts, shoes and even hair, tens of thousands change the landscape. This one day is probably the busiest day in Nicolle Gomez Racey’s year. But Nicolle sees the pink every day. Nicolle is the Director of Communications at Susan G. Komen Columbus and is responsible for external and internal communications for Komen Columbus, including public relations, social media, events and media relations. Nicolle plans and executes strategies for communication, marketing and development aspects of current and future affiliate fundraising events including the annual Race for the Cure.
Each year before the annual Komen Columbus Race for the Cure, Nicolle is very busy coming up with story ideas to get people involved, registered, and engaged with the race. “This is a special time for me because I get to meet so many wonderful people and learn their personal stories. It always amazes me how resilient the human spirit is.”
Nicolle spends a lot of time on her professional career but does find it very important to manage her time wisely. Time with her husband Michael, step-son Connor, and son Colin are her priority. “I cherish quality time with them because I know that in a blink my boys will grow up and begin their life journeys. We have family dinner every night which consists of lots of laughter and talking and no cell phones, TV, or other electronic devices at the table. I also think it’s important to have ‘you’ time. Whether it’s getting away to a local coffee shop to read a book, having lunch or dinner with friends, working out, or enjoying a hobby, it’s important to carve out some time for yourself to grow and recharge your batteries.”
Helping Nicolle with her cause is a very talented staff at Komen Columbus that is focused on their mission to help women and men who are underinsured or uninsured and unable to afford basic breast health care. “The staff at Komen Columbus cannot do this alone. We have a tremendous army of volunteers, supporters, and corporate sponsors that help us in our mission on a daily basis. I am also thankful that my friends and family support the cause. They know how much it means to me.” How much does it mean to Nicolle to work for Komen Columbus? So much so, that when Nicolle was offered the job to join Komen Columbus she dropped the phone and burst into tears of joy!
Nicolle has two quotes that empower her. The first from Edmund Burke, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” The second is from Martin Luther King Jr., “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” “This quote speaks to all of us at some point in life. We all face challenges, both great and small, that test and ultimately build our strength, character and faith.”
For more details about Komen Columbus, please visit www.komencolumbus.org