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

Hi Victor, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Work life balance has definitely shifted in a major way for me. As someone who got married and had kids later in life it was always easy to let work consume me. Sometimes out of necessity but sometimes out of societal “norms” that can really skew toward the work side of things.

After I got married things changed a little bit…but now as the father to 3 boys it’s shifted in a more extreme way toward the life part of the equation. My family is everything to me so tending to their needs while still managing my work goals and expectations isn’t always easy. Working for a great organization whose goal is to provide leadership skills to fatherless boys has helped me realize how important it really is to shift more of my time to the life side.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started my career as a PR guy after college and learned a lot during a 2-year stint at a PR shop in Fort Worth. From there I landed at my alma mater, TCU, as a member of the PR team. In my 20+ years there I was fortunate enough to have a mentor who trusted me to lead the university’s journey in to the digital world and beginning in the late ’90s I led the teams that created all of TCU’s websites. Eventually this evolved and grew to include pioneering the use of social media and other digital channels to continue building the TCU brand.

About 4 years ago I got the opportunity to join HOPE Farm, a leadership program for fatherless boys and their moms. As a father to 3 boys I know how important my role is in their future development and my experiences in elevating the TCU brand have served me well as we seek to make HOPE Farm the next great non-profit organization.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
A Friday night dinner on the patio at Joe T. Garcia’s is a must…especially for a friend visiting for the first time. Saturday would probably include time on the Trinity Trails with lunch outdoors at Press Cafe. Or depending on the time of the year Saturday might just be spent tailgating and cheering on the Frogs at a TCU home game.

The rest of the week would include the Fort Worth Zoo, dinner downtown at one of the many fine restaurants, concerts in the garden and a leisurely stroll down Magnolia or South Main.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be where I’m at without the wise counsel, patience and great advice from my wife. She’s stood through me as an advocate, advisor and incredible wife and mother to our boys. Her insight and wisdom have saved me a lot of headaches and saved me from myself many times. As a successful communications expert herself, I always have a sounding board for my personal and professional challenges.

Website: www.hopefarmfw.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hope.farm/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hope-farm-inc

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HopeFarmInc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HOPEFarmINC/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOYs9H3RK-S70aBmtBSGmoA

Image Credits
Cara Jacocks

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