The Conservancy is excited to introduce our global community to our newest team member Rebecca (Becky) Haggerty Williams!
As our Development Associate, Becky will be playing a leading role in supporting the Conservancy’s mission by engaging with supporters and building our network of donors.
Becky comes to the Conservancy with years of experience in the nonprofit sector, having held development posts with the Charles Darwin Foundation, the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian, Ronald McDonald House Charities and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York. She holds an undergraduate degree in American Studies from Fordham University and a Master of Public Administration from Baruch College, City University of New York.
Please join us in giving Becky a warm welcome!
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH THE SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY?
I first learned of the SS United States when I moved to the greater Philadelphia area and went to the IKEA near the ship’s pier with my daughter. I thought, “What is that massive ship?” At the time, I didn’t realize what a treasure was before me. Since then, I have come to learn more about “America’s Flagship” and her historical significance. When the opportunity arose, I was very excited to join the Conservancy to work toward preserving her history and ensuring her future.
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AS THE CONSERVANCY'S DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE?
My role as development associate is to work with the Conservancy ‘s dedicated and loyal supporters in continued fundraising efforts to ensure that the SS United States is saved. I look forward to garnering new support that will allow the Conservancy to further educate and inspire generations to come.
IN YOUR WORK WITH THE CONSERVANCY THUS FAR, WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
I am most proud of being a member of the Conservancy team. I am humbled to be working alongside this incredibly knowledgeable and dedicated group of supporters spanning staff, board members, advisory council members and and donors.
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING TO ACCOMPLISH WITH THE CONSERVANCY IN THE FUTURE?
Despite my frequent use of the disclaimer, “Long story, short….”, my stories are never short and I like to tell them! The SS United States is a treasure-trove of stories. I love hearing them. I’m particularly drawn to learning about the perspectives of the children who traveled on the SS United States, either on a holiday, emigrating to the United States, or while accompanying their parents headed to military or diplomatic posts overseas. Children provide unique narratives of the life aboard the SS United States. ALL SS United States stories provide an important link to the past. Through donor support, we can conintue to capture the stories. As the ship is successfully redeveloped,t we can further share these stories. Preserving the past will lead to creating new stories of the SS United States. I am really looking forward to saying, “the SS United States, long story, long”.