Good Neighbor Stories

Fire investigator overcomes fear of dogs to become first Latina arson dog handler

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 06:49:00 -0500

When Maggie Greene’s family immigrated from Mexico to the United States, they hoped to raise their children in a safe community that provided opportunities for their children to thrive. Her family, like so many that have immigrated to this country, risked a great deal but had big hopes and dreams for the future.

In an instant, those hopes and dreams were nearly shattered for Maggie.

At the age of eight, Maggie suffered a severe injury after being attacked by a retired police dog. “My parents took me to a local community medical clinic but they only spoke Spanish and the doctors spoke English so I had to translate for them,” said Maggie. “The whole incident was like a bad dream and even today, I only remember bits and pieces.”

When doctors said they may have no option but to amputate the leg, Maggie’s mom insisted on a second opinion at a different hospital. Thankfully, doctors were able to save her leg. While the physical scars have long since healed, her emotional scars and fear of dogs lasted for four decades.

After the attack, Maggie was constantly on guard for signs of dogs -- even when they weren’t visible. She listened for the sounds of a dog tag on a collar, barking behind a fence, or any signs that a dog was near so she could avoid them. Little did she know that this heightened awareness and observational skills would be critical in her career.

Maggie began her fire service career in 2004 as a Fire Prevention Specialist with the City of Escondido Fire Department before joining the Chula Vista Fire Department (CVFD) in 2012 as a Fire Investigator. When she joined CVFD, her office was literally steps from her biggest fear … a dog. Just two years earlier, Fire Investigator Darin Golden had trained and certified with his partner, K9 Cali, through the State Farm Arson Dog Program. K9 Cali was an accelerant detection canine, commonly called an arson dog, whose job was to find evidence of gas or fuel at fire scenes. K9 Cali lived and worked with Investigator Golden every day, even staying in his office when they weren’t investigating a fire. An office that was just steps away from Maggie.

Even though she was scared, Maggie respected that K9 Cali was a member of the fire department. Over the years, the sweet demeanor of K9 Cali and Darin’s patience helped her become more comfortable around dogs. She also realized the important work that Darin and K9 Cali did at fire investigations and as she thought about it, she realized that the reason she joined the fire service was to help people and improve her community. Working with a law enforcement dog would allow her to do that more effectively. So, when K9 Cali retired after 12 years on the job, Maggie decided to do what many in her life thought was impossible.

Maggie Greene applied to train as an arson dog handler as the replacement team for Darin and K9 Cali. And for the second time, a dog was changing the course of her life.

Her family wanted to support her but had many questions. Would she be able to live and work every day with a dog knowing her fear? Maggie was allergic to dog fur so how would that impact her work and life? Training and working a dog every single day is a huge commitment for a busy mother. Could she manage it? Still, she persisted, willing to make sacrifices to reach her goal just like her parents had done as Mexican immigrants. Her family understood and told her, “We will do whatever you want us to do to support you.” This is what family is about and in Maggie’s words, “I don’t do this alone.”

In April 2022, Maggie faced her fears and overcame the emotional obstacles she has held for over 40 years by training through the State Farm Arson Dog Program and becoming the first Latina arson canine handler. Along with her new partner, K9 Hannah, Maggie investigates arson crimes for her community. While she hasn’t thought of herself as a role model, when she looks back at all she has overcome, she hopes she can “inspire just one person” with her story. In her own words, “I am one blessed soul.”

Leading Latinas

Mon, 18 Jun 2018 11:40:00 -0500

Karina Kangas’ parents didn’t go to college. Neither did her grandparents.

She had always done well in school, so her academic performance would not be what prevented her from being a first-generation college student. Rather, Karina’s hurdles would be finding help to fund her education, getting placed in the best school possible while balancing being a young wife and mother.

Then came what Karina describes as a “random email” one day while an undergraduate student at San Diego State University. It was an informational message from MANA de San Diego, a Latina leadership program in Karina’s hometown. MANA awards $40,000 to $50,000 annually in financial support to students seeking an associate’s degree through doctoral candidates.

“I decided to apply,” Karina says. “I initially submitted my application in hopes of getting funding help for college. It was the only scholarship application I submitted that required an in-person interview. And from that first interview, I felt an immediate connection with MANA de San Diego.”

The bond formed in that interview continued to grow. Karina began attending events the organization sponsored, volunteered and networked with other professionals and companies that support MANA de San Diego.

Karina, 28, was one of the first women to go through MANA de San Diego’s Latina Success Leadership Program of which State Farm^® is a supporter. Karina went graduate school 2,300 miles away at the University of Michigan where she earned a master’s of science in chemistry.

Upon her return home to San Diego, Karina was hired as a scientist at General Atomics. She is the only Latina on her team. Karina credits MANA with giving her the confidence to pursue college, and more uniquely, a male-dominated career.

Rosa María Hernández is director of development and member services at MANA. She came to work for the organization after 10 years in academia and after going through the MANA volunteer-based program herself.

“It’s been great to see how it’s evolved and how it’s impacted so many in such positive ways as it has Karina,” says Rosa. “It gives them the tools, advocacy and strength for them to rise up and the strength to take a chance.”

Karina’s quick success in the company and leadership skills she honed through MANA led to a promotion of two levels. She still calls her mentor once a week.

“I was surrounded by strong, successful women mentors through MANA,” says Karina. “It was real leadership training, and I knew if they could be successful, I could, too.”

And, of course, Karina’s family beams with pride in her accomplishments.

“They are proud and see me as successful,” says Karina. “And there is so much more that I want to do to continue to succeed. That’s why my MANA connections are still so important; they keep shooting for my goals and where I want to be.”

Says Rosa, “I describe MANA as an organization that creates cyclical change. Once you train and encourage one person in the family, you can change the whole family. Karina is a great example of that.”

Dr. Yasmin Davidds Is Los Angeles’ Dream Achiever,’ WME Live’s Together And State Farm® Announce

Wed, 05 Oct 2016 08:00:00 -0500

State Farm and WME Live’s Together, announce Dr. Yasmin Davidds as LA’s ‘Dream Achiever’ honoree.

Davidds is the founder and CEO of the Latina Global Executive Leadership and Entrepreneur Institute (LGELP) at University of Southern California. It is a unique leadership training that addresses the sociocultural realities of today's emerging corporate Latina women leaders and helps them reach their full potential.

Offered by the Latina Leadership Institute (LLI), the LGELP is unlike other leadership development programs. It is taught by faculty scholars and practitioners with real-world insights to experiences professional Latinas face in the workplace

Dr. Davidds inspires women across the globe to take control of their lives, education and their dreams. These accomplishments and her continued work empowering women is why Davidds was honored on the Together stage as LA’s “Dream Achiever.”

“A ‘Dream Achiever’ is a woman who rejected the status quo and refocused her life to reflect her passion,” shared Michelle Hare from State Farm Marketing. “She is a woman who takes chances, follows her heart and believes in empowering others.”

Together is a six-city tour convening women across generations and backgrounds for six nights of storytelling focused on creating community, well-being, purpose and action. State Farm is a primary sponsor of the tour and will honor a Dream Achiever at each stop along the Together tour.

“The Together tour is about bringing women together to celebrate love, build community and take action. Through storytelling, Together aims to help people feel less alone in their lives,” said Jennifer Rudolph Walsh, who leads WME’s Literary Division and is producing the tour. “Our work with State Farm to honor Dream Achievers is the ultimate culmination of the Together mission. Dr. Davidds is inspiring and courageous -- a true example of what it means to live in your purpose and follow your dreams.”

More than 2,000 women gathered at the Pantages Theater for friendship, empowerment, and action. Core speakers included Glennon Doyle Melton, Seane Corn, Dr. Jacqui Lewis and Valarie Kaur, with celebrity guest appearances from Abby Wambach and Geena Rocero.

“Together is a movement bringing new ideas, influencers, and organizations together,” shared Hare. “Yasmin is the epitome of a Dream Achiever. She personifies what we hope for all the women attending the Together tour.”

Embrace It, Fail Like Crazy, And Then Succeed

Wed, 05 Oct 2016 08:00:00 -0500

Dr. Yasmin Davidds grew up in a Latino immigrant family that faced many challenges. Living in the eastside of Los Angeles, she once asked her mother why she didn’t leave, and she replied, she didn’t feel strong enough to leave.

Dr. Davidds knew her mother had the strength, she just had not found it. So, Dr. Davidds made it her life’s mission to help other women find their strength.

Dr. Davidds is the founder and CEO of the Latina Global Executive Leadership and Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Southern California (USC). It is a unique leadership development program that addresses the sociocultural realities of today's emerging corporate Latina leaders and helps them reach their full potential.

With an undergraduate business degree from the USC, a master’s degree in women’s studies from San Diego State University, and her doctoral degree from USC, Dr. Davidds inspires women across the globe to take control of their lives, education and dreams.

She believes in empowering women to be leaders. And she has had help along the way too. She is a graduate of Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) Latina Leadership Institute. The goal of the institute is to train Latinas in leadership and advocacy skills, allowing them to create vital change across California.

“HOPE has had a profound impact on my leadership identity and my life. First, serving on their board of directors for 10 years taught me the true sense of sisterhood,” shared Davidds. “HOPE’s Leadership Institute curriculum elevated my competencies as a community and civic leader and instilled a sense of pride of being Latina.”

HOPE and Dr. Davidds have helped create positive change in California, encouraging young women to graduate high school, go to college, be leaders in their community and promote civic engagement. State Farm has supported HOPE for nearly 20 years.

“The pipeline of Latina leadership in California HOPE has developed is impressive and I am extremely proud to be a product of their hard work and dedication,” Dr. Davidds continued. “The advocacy skills the Institute taught me enabled me to create fundamental change within my community, my business and those I lead.”

Dr. Davidds took a risk, rejected the status quo and followed her heart. Now her life reflects her passion for helping and empowering others. She is a Dream Achiever.