March is Women’s Month! Throughout the month, Big Brothers Big Sisters will be commemorating the achievements of women in leadership roles across our agency.

Meet Josalyn Kiplinger, BBBS’ Recruitment and Enrollment Manager. Josalyn oversees the teams that bring local mentors and youth into the program.

BIG IMPACT

Josalyn became a Little Sister when she was six and was matched with her Big for the next six years. As a child, she knew she wanted to pursue a career as a massage therapist.

While running a booth for her massage therapy business (which she still does in her free time) at a conference, she came across BBBSMI’s booth. It was then that she realized BBBS was still active in Kalamazoo.

“I thought it would be a really good place to work. I had a great experience as a Little,” Josalyn shares.

BIG ADVICE

Josalyn’s experience as a Little has also helped her give advice to current Bigs.

“My Big was in her 60s when we got matched,” says Josalyn, “and I’ve had a few older Bigs say, ‘I don’t know if my Little wants to be matched with me.’ I can draw from my own experience and say ‘Trust me, they do.’”

Aside from her business as a licensed massage therapist, Josalyn spends much of her free time with her two daughters. They enjoy spending time at parks and relaxing at their cottage on a lake. Josalyn’s 7-year-old has even expressed interest in becoming a Little!

“I want to be a part of the change toward the positive – getting more Bigs in the door, getting more matches made,” Josalyn says. If you’re considering becoming a Big, she encourages you to “take the leap.”

“It’s only 2-4 hours twice a month, and it’s going to make a big impact.”