Mary-Jane Foster has had multiple jobs in her career, all of which contributed to her ability to do this job.
Actress for 22 years, volunteer for a DV agency resulting in a law degree, entrepreneur, developer, owner of multiple businesses, and throughout all, she has been an advocate for domestic violence policies that recognize and support victims and survivors.
It has taken all of this experience to be able to lead Interval House, which is the most complex and demanding of any work she says she has ever done.
What have been your biggest professional accomplishments over the past year?
I am grateful I have been able to stabilize Interval House in several ways, much of it coming together in the last year.
Importantly, the balance sheet reflects a gain of over $3 million, the operating reserves have more than tripled, and we now have a total of $2.1 million in our endowment for emergency assistance to individuals.
We have updated our facility to provide comfort, beauty and peace with a total renovation of the residential floor of the safe house. We have more than tripled our commitment to prevention and education, and we are reaching kids and teens every day to talk about healthy relationships thanks to many partners.
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In what ways are you involved in the community?
As a leader of a nonprofit and resident of downtown Hartford, I try to show up and support my fellow nonprofits and the small businesses downtown.
On The Job
Guiding business principle: Integrity – oh, and laughter.
Best way to keep your competitive edge: Do what you love – everything else follows.
Best business decision: Take the job!
Worst business decision: ARG. Present a new organization chart to the staff that didn’t honor or work for the staff. Please don’t tell anyone about this.
Biggest missed opportunity: See above. The organization’s structure needed realigning and, in my first shot at it, I missed by a mile (or two).
Goal yet to be achieved: Full funding for prevention of intimate partner violence.
Personal touch in your office: Photos, cartoons and my kids’ clay sculptures.
Personal Side
Place of residence: Hartford
Favorite way to relax: Walking my dog in Bushnell Park.
Hobbies: Theater, symphony, reading, needlepoint
Last vacation: Kefalonia, Greece, for my youngest granddaughter’s christening.
Favorite movie: “American President,” “Sense and Sensibility,” “Sabrina,” and “Love in the Afternoon”
The car you drive: 2011 BMW Series 1 Convertible (pray for me)
Currently reading: “This is Happiness,” by Niall Williams
Favorite cause: Really? Apart from world peace, it is the issue of domestic violence.
Second choice career: Nightclub singer in Barbie’s black sequined mermaid dress with the black tulle at the bottom, or backup dancer for Beyonce.