Walking the Walk: Ekta Bhakta Patel
Vice Chair of Rotary
Serves on the Board of Directors for Carlsbad Community Foundation
Chamber of Commerce Board President
Serves on the Carlsbad Mainstreet Board
Volunteers with the Justice Assistance League
2020 happened. Ekta Bhakta Patel began looking for new employment along her career path.
She was the Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce at the time. Patel never thought of herself as a leader. She is a volunteer at heart and gives her time freely. When the position as Chief Executive Officer at the Boys and Girls Club opened, Patel asked friends if she could use them as references, and they encouraged her in the application process because they believed it was the perfect organization and role for her.
Patel took the helm of the Boys and Girls Club of Carlsbad as the Chief Executive Officer in February of 2021. In the short time since she has been in her position, she has reshaped and reopened the Club while leading with conviction and direction during the challenging circumstances of the pandemic.
Patel is seasoned when it comes to being a contributing member of a board, so her expectations for the BGCC Board of Directors were a tall order. “Boards believe in the missions of the organizations that they serve on,” she says, “so building relationships with the people who will be impactful to the organization is imperative.” When Patel took on her position in early 2021, the Board of Directors consisted of ten members. Four of the original ten remain on the current board which has skyrocketed to a group of 20 passionate and dedicated individuals. Consisting of a store director, the manager of the local newspaper, the Superintendent of Carlsbad Municipal Schools, the Chief of Police, financial advisors and attorneys, and a college professor, the BGCC Board of Directors boasts “a variety of people [to] form a well-rounded team.”
People trust those that are genuine and honest and don’t just say things.
“Sometimes people join boards as a resume filler or because their company voluntells them to,” Patel explains, but boards are actually a working hobby. “The Boys and Girls Club is a constant work in progress. There is so much that needs to be done,” Patel replies. Everyone who is a part of the club, especially the board, pitches in to maintain the momentum that has been built over the past year. Just one year into her position at BGCC, and Patel has continued with her growth mindset: “look how far we’ve come,” she reminds herself daily. Her first day was February 1st of 2021, so it can be challenging to see the forest through the trees, she says. Patel has to see the organization from a bird’s eye view to get perspective and understand the large-scale progress that has occurred.
When asked what she thinks makes a mover and shaker? Patel explains, “When people believe in you. When you talk the talk and walk the walk. People trust those that are genuine and honest and don’t just say things. If someone wants to know how to make things happen, then you need to get to know people, identify with them, and show them how to identify with you. Step out of your comfort level, continue expressing empathy and build rapport, one person at a time.” Patel’s words have the impact to move the neighboring Guadalupe mountains.
Article written by Kaity Hirst and originally published in Focus on Carlsbad 2022 Spring edition.
