When you have a nomadic spirit, your varied experiences are an essential part of whom you become.
Luckily for Goodman, Denise Baldwin’s adventures introduced her to Texas’ big sky and warm temperatures.
We recently sat down with Denise to talk about her unscripted journey to Texas, her unique professional experiences, and what it is like to have 10 children. Yes, you read that correct…TEN children!
Where did you grow up?
“I grew up in Wilmington, Delaware. After I had graduated from Delaware Technical and Community College, I had a choice to make. I could go to work for the Central Intelligence Agency in Virginia or attend Temple University. I received offers from both in the same week. ”
You decided to go to Temple University, but you ended up taking a chance on a unique opportunity. Would you explain more about that?
“During the late summer, after completing my junior year, the Joint Committee on Congressional Affairs placed an ad in the newspaper. I was curious and submitted my resume. Within a few days, they requested that I interview for a job at the House of Representatives in Washington, DC. I got the job and was a part of Congressman Charles Diggs’ staff for about two years.”
What have been some of the other professional experiences that have allowed you to grow into the person you are today?
“Whenever I move to a new city, my goal is to always work for the company I believe to be the best employer. So I was excited when I was later offered a job with the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs at Howard University. I learned a lot from that experience.
Shortly after that, I was presented with the opportunity to work at the World Bank in the Europe, Middle East and North Africa Region department. While there, I worked with a team from England; India; Scotland; Germany; Saudi Arabia; Ethiopia; Ivory Coast, South Africa, and Wisconsin. I worked at the World Bank for three years, and then a decision was made to move the family back to Delaware.
In Delaware, I worked at the DuPont Company as a Transportation Analyst analyzing rates for the various domestic transporting methods of DuPont chemicals. I was given the opportunity to travel to train employees on a new rate/route program. Always looking for the chance to travel somewhere warm, I spent two weeks training DuPont employees in California. And then I came to train employees in Texas! I flew out of the Philadelphia Airport during the third snowstorm of the season, and, when I got off that plane in Houston, there was big sky and phenomenal weather. I knew this was where I wanted to be!
The same year, the day after Thanksgiving, I packed up my household belongs and my two little ones into a moving van, and we arrived in Texas on December 1st, 1986, at 11:30 pm. To this day, I love Houston! I have been here over 30 years!”
You have had a lot of different positions over the years, which job did you learn the most from and why?
“It was most definitely my job at the World Bank. At the time, the World Bank had 166 member countries. This meant that on any given day I would be working and interacting with people from practically anywhere on the planet.
My life was enriched because I was able to be part of an international community where I could learn about different life experiences, perspectives, and political challenges from co-workers. And more importantly, it demonstrated how people all over the planet are more alike than different.”
You have ten children! Tell us more about that.
“We are a blended family. My husband, Bennie, and I got married June 25th, 1988. I had five children, and Bennie had three. Then we had two children together. There are six girls and four boys. At one point, we did have eight children living in our little house at one time! It was truly fun! Almost an adventure every day! By the time we moved to our big house, there were only three kids living at home!”
How do you manage it all?
“For me, it requires a good husband, lots of prayer, and lots of conversation! As a family, we were always together. My husband is a man who sets the standard for the family. Everyone knows what is expected of them, and they do it to the best of their ability – which is all a parent can ask of a child.
Whenever we had challenges or had to have a disciplinary meeting with a child or children, he and I would have our discussion first, agree on a course of action, and then the child would join the discussion. It was important that we had our conversation together first, so there was never a point where we weren’t on common ground with regard to the children.”
What was one of your proudest professional accomplishments?
“Finally getting my Bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix, which is a journey I started pursuing after obtaining my Associates Degree! I am very proud of that! It took many hours of study after work.”
What is your favorite part of your job and why?
I have been with Goodman for 10 years now, and my favorite part of my job begins when I arrive at the building and ends when I leave the building. It may sound utopian, but I love everything about my job. There is no part of my job that is my least favorite. I really like everything I do!
What is the biggest misconception that people have about you?
I have no idea! If there is a misconception, particularly a negative misconception, it’s because the person doesn’t know me. They should get to know me!
If you could master one skill, what would it be?
Public speaking! I would love to be a master in the Toast Masters program.
What do you do for fun?
I still have my nomadic spirit! Texas is a big state, so that means many times we get in the car and drive somewhere, especially in the spring! It’s springtime, and I love to explore!
My husband is a Pastor of a local church, so it’s fun being at church and being with church members. On weekends, I also like to relax and catch up on all the television shows that I recorded during the week; Scandal, Project Runway, Supernatural, Sleepy Hollow; Major Crimes and Master Chef!
If you could go on a trip with anyone, who would you choose and where would you go?
My husband is my choice. We would go to London and ride the Orient Express from London to Venice. I love trains! If I had a second choice, the Canadian Railway has a train which travels across Canada - that would be a beautiful trip! And I have already done my third choice, which is to ride from Philadelphia to California and back. It was absolutely awesome!