NJP (Nice Jewish Person) Katie Wallace
Each month, The Well highlights an amazing (and eligible!) individual.
This month, we have a conversation with NJP Katie Wallace!
TW: Katie, you're originally from metro Detroit - - what made you decide to stay after college?
KW: When I graduated from UofM in 2011, Detroit was starting to gain momentum and that was something that I wanted to be a part of and witness. There’s an energy about Detroit that isn’t easy to replicate anywhere else. The pride we take in our city is incredible.
TW: You spend your days working for Everdays -- tell us more!
KW: When people lose a loved one, they need a simple way to notify family and friends of their passing. But newspaper obituaries are costly and often fail to get the word out, and making multiple phone calls is time-consuming and emotionally draining. Everdays brings peace of mind by offering a free mobile app with easy-to-create memorial announcements that can be shared to important contacts with one tap. Our company's mission is to make a difficult time more manageable and to transform the way the world communicates about one of life's most important moments.
TW: What are your three favorite things to do in your free time?
KW: Go outside (weather permitting), play tennis (I’m always looking for someone new to play with - - hit me up), and spend time with friends and family.
TW: What's your favorite book?
KW: The Harry Potter series! No matter how many times I read them, they’re books that I cannot put down. More recently, I haven’t had a chance to read much - - it’s a goal of mine to start reading more! If you have any suggestions let me know.
TW: Where would you most like to travel to that you haven't visited?
KW: While there are many places I haven't been, I really want to travel to New Zealand/Australia. It would be great to go during the Michigan winter when it's summer there. The landscape is incredible there too.
TW: How do you like to give back to the community / others?
KW: I like to volunteer my time. I previously worked for 3+ years at Yad Ezra and saw firsthand the power of volunteering. There are so many worthwhile organizations in our community that cannot rely on staff alone - - volunteers help to make these organizations successful.
TW: What's your favorite Jewish holiday and why?
KW: Yom Kippur. While it's never fun to fast, Yom Kippur encourages us to practice mindfulness. Being fully present all the time is hard, and Yom Kippur provides time to reflect on our actions of the past year and think about those we may have wronged. Rather than think about how hungry we are or when we can break the fast, the holiday gives us an opportunity to apologize. Yom Kippur thus allows us to become more intentional with our actions as we prepare for the next year.
TW: Fav Jewish food?
KW: Gefilte fish and horseradish. The spicier the horseradish the better.
TW: If you could add an 11th commandment what would it be?
KW: Thou shalt be kind to one another. It takes less energy and effort to say or do something nice than it does to be mean.
TW: How about a fun fact?
KW: I started a new shared interest group with The Well for people interested in learning how to play or want to play Mah Jongg. I learned by watching my mom and two grandmas play every time we got together for a holiday, and I've since taught workshops on how to play!
TW: Best movie ever made, hands down?
KW: My favorite movie is Big Daddy and I will admit that it’s definitely not the best movie ever made. But, I laugh every time I watch it, it has so many memorable lines, and it stars a young Cole and Dylan Sprouse.
TW: Finish the sentence: When I go to The Well…
KW: I feel at ease. There’s no pressure to attend every single event, and there’s always someone new to meet. Every time I’m at The Well, I meet new people or reconnect with old friends.
