Meet Rowena | Catholic Wife, Mom, and Video Marketing Enthusiast

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rowena and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rowena, what role has risk played in your life or career?
My personal charm is wrapped up in my impulsivity and spur of the moment experiences. Because I wear my heart on my sleeve, I am all too quick to feel before I think. So, taking risks is basically engrained in the fabric of my being.

I can’t fully explain how and why I am so inclined to do what most people aren’t willing to do. I love to diffuse a socially awkward moment with warmth and/or comedy. I live for a hard cold cold call in hopes it closes with a sell. I get a high when the camera light turns red or the recording sign blaringly shines “ON AIR.” If it’s uncut, unedited, or unscripted raw footage, I’m here for all of it!

I am that volunteer (among a group of fundraisers) that actually wants to get up on the mic, or horror of horrors, the telephone, and tug at the heart strings and beg that donor to give more than they already contribute to the mission. I was that tech-PR practitioner who would cold call a high-profile editor pitching a “sexy” angle on the latest and greatest in nanotechnology. If I’m inspired in an EPIC moment among a crowd of people at a concert/sporting event/worship service, I MUST whip out my smartphone and capture it LIVE so others can also live the excitement from afar. I don’t know why I am so driven to do what no one else really wants to do. in. the. moment.

For instance, if I see a celebrity, I don’t care for a selfie or even worse, I’m not up in the mix begging for an autograph. Instead, I want a TRUE encounter with THAT person. And I do what feels all-too natural to do in that moment.

Even though I am in a crowd of my fellow fans, I notice how their exemplary efforts have yielded their level of success and admiration from the public. But I am the ONE who will be up in their face coming with a deeper fanaticism. I care he/she knows I see him/her as truly set apart and I know that he/she carries THE burden of influence and responsibility. So, I try to connect through their eyes and into their soul with a simple smile or greeting…as if I have known him/her personally for years. And almost always, that intended connection lands and the “celeb” responds in all kinds of ways.

The risk I take here is doing what no else cares to do or even knows what to do in the adrenaline-infused hype of the moment. It’s like a divine collaboration with my heart and head that impels me to act in a way no one else wants to. And then I go for that moment of connection and am all too satisfied and empowered when the connection lands and the impact is made and that celebrity either becomes a friend, a social media follower or even my boss/colleague for a time being. Some tangible examples of these personal encounters were with Dallas Jenkins, Jessica Alba, Teresa Tomeo, and Mark Cuban.

I look at risk taking in the same way I see accepting a wedding proposal, beginning motherhood, starting a new job, or launching a business. I unite the impulsivity of adrenaline with a convicted spirit of taking action to guide my YES to adventure. And then this “warm and fuzzy” feeling overpowers and I proceed with tremendous passion and fervor, especially when embarking upon something totally new and scary…but in such a good and healthy way.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
“I help people in ministry gather support so they can build the Kingdom — without burning out.”

After graduating from the University of North Texas in 2004, I started my career in marketing communications as a public relations practitioner in the fabless semiconductor industry. Within just two years of working in the high-tech PR agency world, I was hired to manage marketing communications for self-made billionaire, entrepreneur, and owner of the NBA Dallas Mavericks: Mark Cuban. Despite the remarkable success, after three years of working in the glamor of professional sports and entertainment, I realized just how under-utilized yet over-allocated I was in that demanding role, and found that the work did not align with my spiritual or personal beliefs. I decided to resign in order to more intentionally focus on my marriage and pursue motherhood.

Three beautiful boys later, I flexed my marketing muscles once more, accepting a part-time role as PR Director for The Crossroads Initiative: a Catholic ministry founded by New York Times Best-Selling Author, international speaker, and Catholic theologian Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio (AKA, “Dr. Italy”). In a short amount of time, I was able to bring his unique charisma and his engaging presentations of Catholic church history to parishes all over the country.

In 2019, my professional experience, vocation to marriage and motherhood, and Catholic faith were yet again merged, as I took an opportunity to manage the marketing, fundraising, and community relations initiatives for the Catholic private school that my children attend. With each experience of using my skills for the glory of God, I came one step closer to the calling I now find myself in.

In the summer of 2020, I became acutely aware of how valuable fellowship and community with those who share common moral beliefs are. At the same time, I saw a trend in the lives of women serving in nonprofit organizations and Catholic ministries: burnout. They needed the emotional support of other Catholic women, and the practical support of resources and better allocation of their time and skills. They needed Get to Give. And I, now a mother of four with a decade of experience under my belt, get to joyfully serve alongside them as they tirelessly work to bring peace to the world.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am a member of The Nelson Sports club in Las Colinas, next to the Ritz Carlton. Because I’m a devoted wife and busy working mom of four, I like local spots where I can hang out and/or relax without having to commute on a congested Dallas highway. The Ritz has a great spa and salon, incredible dining from the newly renovated Members Lounge patio, and the hotel coffee is food for my soul. Not to mention, it’s always like I’m on a vacation when I’m there — but I’m still within city limits of my home.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
Our Heavenly Mother, Mary
My dreamy husband, Stanley Ignacio, Jr.
Tammy Grady, a Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi
Lisa Brennikmeyer, Walking with Purpose
Jennifer Fulwiler, author, comedian and podcaster
Jessica Alba – her use of FB live for The Honest Co got me hooked on that platform
Stacey Gaswirth, when she was EVP of PR at The Shelton Group
Mark Cuban, my personal and business mentor ever since graduating college in May 2004 and still to this day
Dr. Sherri Broyles, Advertising Professor at the University of North Texas – she makes words do backflips

Website: https://www.gettogivefundraising.com

Instagram: rowena.s.ignacio