Staff Spotlight: Cali O’Dell

We’re so proud to work with each and every one of our staff members here at Donor Alliance. In our Staff Spotlight, we like to take a minute to let you learn more about who we are and why we work at Donor Alliance. Cali O’Dell, a Donor Alliance HR Generalist, is responsible for a variety of human resources activities within the organization. Cali says that she chose to work for Donor Alliance because she strongly believes in our mission to save lives through organ donation and transplantation!

Name: Cali O’Dell

Position: HR Generalist

Years at Donor Alliance: 3 years

Tell us a little about your role with Donor Alliance. As the HR Generalist I am responsible for a variety of human resources activities including: benefits administration, new employee on-boarding, oversight of the wellbeing program and much more!

What is the best thing about working at Donor Alliance? I love the people I get to work with. We are an extremely mission driven organization, and it is evident in the work we do and the drive and passion our employees do it with. I am in one of those roles at Donor Alliance that exist in most organizations. But I love that I get to work for a place that literally saves lives. Everyone here is extremely hard working and passionate. It’s a wonderful thing to be a part of!

What does donation & transplantation mean to you? Changing lives! There are so many people affected by organ and tissue donation, beyond those that receive these heartfelt gifts. There are the families that get more time with their loved ones; there are the families that know their loved ones lives on even after death. It’s incredible to hear their stories and to know that even in a small way, I played a part in that change.

When you’re not working, what do you like to do for fun? I spend most of my time outside of work with my fiancé Colin and our two dogs, Penny and Lou. We love taking the pups to dog parks around the city on the weekends, or on fun hikes. I also recently got into raising backyard chickens and we have two beautiful Wyandottes, named Donna and Leslie, who provide us with hours of entertainment and delicious fresh eggs!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? I don’t think anyone ever actually gave me this advice, but it is something I have learned in having dogs all my life – live in the moment. I can’t say I do this all the time – I have definitely done my fair share of getting caught up thinking about the past or the future, but I do my best to remind myself every now and then that to live in the moment. Enjoy it. Enjoy those you are surrounded by at all times, because it will not last forever.