By IOCDF Executive Director Rebecca Deusser
Leading the IOCDF combines my passion for mental health advocacy, my desire to make a tangible difference in people’s lives, and my love for working alongside dedicated professionals who share this mission. It truly is a dream job.
Please come along with me for a day in the video below and experience the excitement and fulfillment I feel each day advancing our mission.
A typical day in my life starts off early, dropping off my 3-year-old daughter at preschool. We live in rural Massachusetts, so after dropping off, I head to the station to take the train to Boston. IOCDF is located in the heart of the city – it is a vibrant area and one of my favorite parts of Boston.
My days are often filled with meetings and appointments, from connecting with staff and board members to collaborating with partners, donors, and stakeholders. These conversations keep our work moving forward and help us get closer to realizing our vision that everyone impacted by OCD and related disorders has immediate access to effective treatment and support.
When I get some quiet moments, there are a few things that always cross my mind.
The first is families. As a mother of a young child, I often think about the challenges families face with OCD on a daily basis, and the assistance they need is really front of mind for me and drives my work here at the foundation. I think a lot about people who are suffering from OCD and related disorders, the difference that we’ve made in people’s lives, and how there are so many millions more people that we need to reach who don’t even know about us. And then I think of our amazing volunteers. So many of them share their lived experience or clinical expertise on a regular basis, and they choose to spend so much of their time with us to help us fulfill our mission and our vision. I’m so grateful to have these incredible volunteers as a part of our community.
Working with the IOCDF staff is one of my favorite aspects of the job. People would not believe the level of commitment and dedication everyone who works here has not only to their work but to the mission of the organization. The IOCDF staff works tirelessly on many important initiatives so that we can bring these life-saving resources to the OCD community.
Leading an organization like this means so much to me. It’s a privilege to work alongside passionate individuals, to learn from the stories of those we serve, and to play a role in amplifying the voices of our community. Each day, I am motivated to make every day count.I hope this glimpse into my day gives you a sense of our work and the dedication behind it.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Together, we are building a world where everyone affected by OCD and related disorders has the support, resources, and understanding they need.
That is a vision worth pursuing every moment of the day.
Thank you kindly for all of your dedication and hard work. Much appreciated.