Nicole Cisne Durbin has touched the lives of many people in the Quad Cities. In fact, one of her colleagues recently called her a “champion for the Quad Cities.”
As the president and CEO of the nonprofit Family Resources organization, she helps provide a large variety of services to children, families and people who have experienced trauma. Some of those services include counseling and therapy, services to survivors of domestic abuse, sexual abuse and human trafficking, and services to foster and adoptive families.
“We help people change their lives. People have experienced extreme trauma and don’t know what to do about it,” said Ms. Cisne Durbin, who has worked at the Davenport-based Family Resources for 18 years and as its CEO for the past six years.
Here is a sampling of what her friends and colleagues said about Ms. Cisne Durbin and her work:
- “Nicole is a champion for the Quad Cities and its people, especially people who have been victims of violence.” – Kelly Thompson
- “Her leadership, compassion … have left an indelible mark on our community.” – Davenport Police Chief Jeff Bladel
- “Her most notable strength is her inability to accept the status quo when dealing (with) social and health challenges.” – Melissa Sharer
- “She is an outside-the-box thinker looking for new and innovative solutions.” – Nicole Cooley
- “She is a transformative leader whose impact reaches far beyond her immediate circle.” – Melissa Uzzell
Those comments – and many others – were made by Quad Cities area residents who nominated her for QCBJ’s second annual Women of Influence awards.
Upon learning she was selected for the honor, the president and CEO said she was humbled and honored. “People don’t always know what I’m doing in this job. … It was kind of surreal,” she added.
Ms. Cisne Durbin was quick to add, though, that the success she has had on the job is largely due to the team of workers at Family Resources. She said it is key to surround yourself with people who are dedicated, hard working and have the talents to get many needed jobs done.
Ms. Cisne Durbin has a bachelor’s degree from Millikin University and a master’s degree in community counseling from Western Illinois University. She began her journey with Family Resources in 2007 when she was hired as a therapist. Over the years, she was promoted to various roles including director of SafePath Survivor Resources, program officer, chief operating officer and eventually named president and CEO in October 2019.
In addition to her many responsibilities at the organization’s helm, a big part of her job centers around securing funding for Family Resources. That job has become even more worrisome recently given the federal-level funding cuts currently being discussed, and the fact that Family Resources receives about 26% of its money from federal sources.
“I’m not panicked by it, but I worry about it a lot,” she said.
Funding continues to be a central focus in her daily work. In fact, she spent a day in Des Moines in late March, talking to state officials about funding for the organization.
But one issue that she’s not worried about is Family Resources’ new home. About a year and a half ago and under her leadership, the group moved to 1414 W. Lombard St., Davenport, leasing behind its longtime home on the Annie Wittenmyer Campus in Davenport. The new location has been great for the group because it brings all of Family Resources’ services under one roof, has plenty of space for staff and clients, and plenty of parking, she said.The new office building is one of many factors that is helping Ms. Cisne Durbin find success in her role with Family Resources. She adds that another factor leading to success is this: “I’m stubborn and tenacious, and I don’t give up easily.”
WORDS OF WISDOM
“I have a phrase I use a lot. That is ‘Fail Forward.’ Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. … Trust your gut.” – Nicole Cisne Durbin
Bio
Residence: Rock Island
Education: BFA in art and art therapy, Millikin University; M.S. degree in community counseling from Western Illinois University.
