Over the weekend, while scrolling through my social media newsfeed, I saw a Fox News story about a McDonalds executive who started as a line worker. As is typical in social media, the first comments I read were critical, even dismissive of the man's success because, at 35 years old, he was only overseeing stores in South Carolina, not the whole U.S., and those critics (who almost surely did not read past the headline) lamented that the whole system was rigged against success for workers. 

I quickly Googled "successful people who worked first at McDonalds" and found plenty of support for the idea that one can use work at McDonalds to move upward there or somewhere else. Amazon's Jeff Bezos worked at McDs. His name alone should put the conversation to rest, but there were plenty more. So why would internet trolls seek to dismiss the possibility of success? Is it to avoid self-reflection on their own failures or information that conflicts or underminds their own ideology? 

Maybe.  Maybe both. 

Whatever it is, it isn't true. People rise and grow within their own organizations and outside them. And WPC is no exception.

Sydney Jensen started her time at WPC as an intern.  Today, she was promoted to Vice President of Development. Her remarkable success is captured well in the press release reprinted below.  I thought it appropriate to offer public congratulations for this remarkable accomplishment. 

You can email her congratulations directly at sjansen@washingtonpolicy.org

Sydney Jansen promoted to Vice President of Development at Washington Policy Center

Sydney Jansen, longtime Development Director at Washington Policy Center (WPC), has been promoted to Vice President of Development. The promotion reflects recognition for her role in fueling the growth of Washington Policy Center, her management of WPC’s successful major-donor Legacy and Pillar Society initiatives, as well as the record-setting success of WPC’s major events. Jansen joined WPC’s development team ten years ago in 2012.

“Sydney Jansen is a proven impact player with national recognition, and our announcement today reflects that,” extolled WPC President and CEO Michael Gallagher. “Her discipline, dedication, and professionalism will be critical to the growth of WPC in the years ahead.”

Sydney became WPC Development Director in 2016 when the organization’s revenue budget was $2.7 million. In 2021, Sydney and her team raised a record-breaking $5.1 million. Over her career, Sydney has raised more than $30,000,000.

“WPC is an outstanding organization fueled by incredible people, from the research experts to the passionate donors who make their work possible,” Jansen explained. “I am honored by the promotion and proud to be part of such an impactful organization.”

Two members of Jansen’s team have also been promoted -- Kaylee Donahue, to Development Director, Donor Relations and Engagement and Maia Espinoza as Development Director, Membership and Community Relations.

“Kaylee Donahue and Maia Espinoza will do a fantastic job in their well-earned and elevated roles,” remarked Gallagher. “They elevate awareness of the positive power of free markets every day.”

Jansen graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Political Science and also earned her Certificate in Nonprofit Management there. She started Washington Policy Center as an intern. Jansen currently lives in West Seattle and spends her spare time exploring the San Juan Islands, cooking, traveling, or going on adventures with her English lab, Jayden.