Champion Profile: Betsy Densmore

Densmore grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts, and as a teen started her first business, "Mini-maids", which provided food serving and clean up services at parties. She attended Wheaton College, also in Massachusetts, but after two years wanted to expand her horizons and moved on to the University of Wisconsin. There, she received a bachelor's degree in American institutions and a master's degree in public policy and administration.

At UW, Densmore was involved in the Center for Conflict Resolution which led her to her first job working with drug, alcohol and mental health programs. Next, after following her husband to Chicago, she managed consumer and community issues at the McDonalds Corporation. A trailblazer, Densmore helped initiate McDonald's nutrition information programs, ensuring that fat and calorie content was shared with patrons.

Her first foray into social enterprise was with the Center for Neighborhood Technology. The center existed without government grants, challenging Densmore to creatively find revenue.  She negotiated with local utilities, banks and other institutions to re-invest in low-income neighborhoods by helping building owners reduce costs through energy conservation investments.

Densmore left the Center to help her husband launch an insurance agency and establish herself as an organizational development consultant. From there she wended her way to the Chicago Bar Foundation, where for 10 years she improved access to justice with award-winning programs.

Densmore also attended seminars through Landmark Education, a personal and professional growth program, which opened new vistas for her. Grateful, she wanted to give back and became a Landmark program leader and manager, which brought her to Orange County. She left Landmark in 2006 and has been with SEI since.

Densmore has served on the boards of a wide range of organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, the Association of Junior Leagues, Chicago Chapter and Somebody Cares Soup Kitchen in Costa Mesa. She is a former member of the National Association of Fundraising Executives. She currently resides in Newport Beach with Robert, her husband of 30 years,and works out of her home.  

Which book has most influenced your life?

"Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand - this book brought out the libertarian in me.

What is your favorite way to spend time with an important child or children in your life?

Finding out their view of things-I'm often educated and inspired.

What is your idea of a perfect world?

One in which all people are united by their passion for peace and justice and by appreciation for one another, regardless of differences.

What is the greatest challenge the children and families of LA County face today?

Knowing themselves as people who do and will make a difference in this challenging world.

What is your motto?

Life is 10 percent what happens and 90 percent the meaning that you add, so I am the author of my life.

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