As the New Year rolled in, I pledged to ignite inspiration by engaging in weekly pow-wows with the trailblazing women who shape our vibrant New Braunfels community. Each serendipitous encounter at networking events or casual run-ins town-wide leaves me marveling at the intellectual treasure trove at our doorstep. At Hear In Texas, pioneering spirit is our mantra, but I confess, my lens can sometimes narrow, entrenched in the audiology sphere's rich tapestry. These luncheons? My golden ticket to harvest wisdom from women across diverse domains and weave their insights into our narrative.

Meet Melissa Wilson, Development Director at the Sophienburg Museum. We had a lovely lunch at Huisache Grill where we spoke heart-to-heart about women in leadership roles. The lunch was delicious and Huisache Grill never disappoints.

Melissa is a New Braunfels native and embraces the growth and changes happening in New Braunfels. Growth can’t be stopped and it is important for the future as long as it happens responsibly. She has been in a leadership role for most of her working years. She has a varied background with experience in fashion and merchandising, retail, marketing, hospice, and now museum development. She is also an avid tennis player and has volunteered her time and talent to many non-profit organizations. She is the embodiment of a woman of influence.

I asked for her best advice for women in leadership positions. Without hesitance she noted that women should be honest and direct and they should not be too emotional. We discussed how emotions can get in the way of getting tasks accomplished.

Her vision is to diversify the offerings of the museum. When I asked her about how she came to work for the museum, she told me about how her passion for the museum was sparked. She spent many summers there with her grandfather who worked as a docent (trained volunteer or staff member who educates and engages visitors by leading tours, sharing stories, and interpreting exhibits, acting as a storyteller and educator for cultural or historical institutions like museums). She values the importance of archiving the history of this vibrant New Braunfels community. The Sophienburg has been around for 93 years and is outgrowing its current space; expansion is a necessity. Melissa is leading the way to shape what the future looks like.

I was surprised to learn about all the programs the museum offers. I was most interested in “A Night at the Museum” which is a private event for a small group. The plan for a “lost arts” program which will include tamale making, needlework, etc. is underway.

Running a museum takes a village and that includes the museum volunteers. There are multiple opportunities to support the Sophienburg whether through volunteer hours, donations, and/or spreading the word about this community gem. They also have some opportunities for paid positions. Though the museum gains most of its operating budget from Sophie’s Shop at Wurstfest and Weihnachtsmarkt, there are numerous programs that help generate income. One of the best kept secrets is Sophie's Shop located inside the Sophienburg Museum where they have so many amazing and unique local gifts and keepsakes.

If you have not been to the Sophienburg Museum in some time, you should check it out. AND, if you are interested in supporting the next phase of this important part of our community, you can donate at https://sophienburg.com/donate/