The Class of 2019

Phillip Ringwood

Executive Director, DIAL/SELF Youth & Community Services; Age 38
Education: Greenfield Community College (AA, AS)

Phillip Ringwood

Phillip Ringwood

What are you passionate about? I’m passionate about helping young people have a chance to identify and work toward their own dreams. That passion is made manifest in my work with DIAL/SELF Youth & Community Services over the last 20 years.

What goal do you set for yourself at the start of each day? Remember to breathe and try to stay positive. I try to make sure to work in time for at least a minute or more of standing meditation.

What person, past or present, would you like to have lunch with, and why? I would like to have lunch with world traveler, philanthropist, and motivational speaker Leon Logothetis. Leon has traveled the world twice without spending money, relying solely on the kindness of others for gas, food, lodging, and other needs. He then made meaningful gifts to people along the way as he was moved by their stories and kindness. He documented this in a documentary series called The Kindness Diaries. I think his stories and perspective would be very motivational.

Who has been your best mentor, and why? My most influential early mentor was my sixth-grade teacher. His words on the first day of class were something along the lines of, “you can do anything you want in my class, as long as you are ready to face the consequences.” Those words — and his encouragement of creativity and individuality balanced with accountability — have served me well over the years.

 

Photography by Leah Martin Photography