DeNora Getachew
CEO
DoSomething.org
Washington, DC USA
“Democracy is a full-contact sport.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationDeNora Getachew
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
I grew up in New York.
I knew early on that I wanted to become a lawyer but as a teen mother, I felt I needed to choose a path that would lead to a job opportunity straight after college, so I pursued computer science.
After one too many advanced calculus classes, I realized computer science was not for me, so I switched back to my original passion, earned my degree in legal studies, and went to law school.
I finished law school and started working in local government in New York City.
I built my career as an attorney trying to figure out how we can use all the tools in our toolbelt to make our democracy more inclusive and accessible.
I’m currently serving as CEO for DoSomething.org, one of the largest nonprofit organizations for young people and social change.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Bachelor
Legal Studies
John Jay College (CUNY)
Legal Studies
John Jay College (CUNY)
Doctorate
Law
Fordham University School of Law
Law
Fordham University School of Law
Career
CEO
I fuel young people to change the world.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Non-Profit Organizations
Law
Helping People
Day to Day
I'm the CEO of creating opportunity for young people. That means I spend time talking to young people about mentoring and change. It also means talking to funders to help inspire them to invest in our work. I also write op-eds or other types of thought leadership to talk about the work that DoSomething.org is doing.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for everyone
Start with yourself and what matters to you. Hone in on an issue you care about. Some top issues I encourage young people to start with include mental health, climate justice, educational opportunity and equity, eliminating blockers to economic mobility, and creating a more inclusive and accessible democracy.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Bachelor
Legal Studies
Legal Studies
Doctorate
Law
Law
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Teachers:
"You can't stay on this academic path now that you're pregnant. You need to transfer to an alternative high school for pregnant women."
Challenges I Overcame
Young Parent
