Extraordinary Woman: Darci Glazer Kassewitz

Darci Glazer Kassewitz

Darcie Glazer Kassewitz is passionate about helping others. As co-president of the Glazer Family Foundation, established in 1999, she is dedicated to improving the lives of residents across the Tampa Bay area. The foundation is dedicated to assisting charitable and educational causes in the West Central Florida region. It works with youth and families to help identify and create programs that support positive social and economic development within our communities. Since its inception, the Foundation has given millions in programs, grants, tickets and merchandise to the Tampa Bay area.

One of her proudest achievements is the Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa, which is set to open Sept. 25. The foundation donated $5 million to help build the museum.

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It’s also no surprise that one of Kassewitz’s passions is football. She has also been very active in the community in both the Tampa and West Palm Beach communities. Prior to every home game, she meets with the children as part of the Foundation’s Gameday for Kids program. As part of the program, the Foundation hosts 100 Gameday for Kids at Raymond James Stadium. More than 8,000 youth representing over 100 organizations from the Bay area have been rewarded for academic achievement and positive behavior with free game tickets, food vouchers and car flags. The youth receive this privilege based on achieving goals of incentive programs implemented by community agencies.

In addition to her responsibilities with the Glazer Family Foundation, she serves as Co-Chairwoman of the Make a Wish Foundation in Palm Beach. Glazer Kassewitz also serves on the Board of Manchester United Soccer Club, which has captured three titles since the Glazer family took over the club: two consecutive Premier League titles (2007 and 2008), as well as the 2008 Champions League title.

A Rochester, NY, native, Kassewitz attended American University in Washington and went on to graduate from Suffolk Law School in Boston. Besides working passionately with her family’s foundation, Kassewitz loves to spend time with her loving husband and three children.

What is the secret to your success?

I would say just plowing ahead. I think any successful person faces obstacles. Everybody sees the end result, but they don’t realize all the obstacles that had to be plowed through to get to success.

What is your biggest fear?

I can’t say what my biggest fear is, but I do know that you must face your fears. When I have faced fears, it always was exhilarating. I’m a better person because of it.

What advice would you give to other women?

Stay true to yourself. I think that any decision based on that is a decision you won’t regret.

What is your proudest moment?

My proudest moment would be having my three kids. I would say every child is a proud moment.

What is your biggest achievement?

Creating a truly happy home. I think for my husband and my children it’s a very happy place to be.

What are they joys and challenges of motherhood?

I love everything about it, as any mother could say. It’s a joy. The biggest challenge – sleep deprivation.

What makes you happy?

My work with the Glazer Family Foundation. Helping people in need is very rewarding. Getting to know the people we are helping is very rewarding. It’s also great being with my family, my husband and my children. It’s the best place to be.

How do you relax and take time for yourself?

I do yoga and my husband and I like to go running together.

What message would you give women?

Whatever your motto is in life impart that on your children so that they can have the benefit of your advice throughout their life.

What else would you like to share with our readers?

Being a mother is wonderful, as any mother knows. We are all very lucky. As far as work, there is no greater job in the world than what I do helping people in Tampa and surrounding areas. It’s a true joy.

How do you enjoy or draw information from the magazine?

I love the magazine. It’s a great magazine and full of information. It’s very interesting and I love it.

What is your favorite thing to do with your kids?

We always love to go to Busch Gardens. We love the aquarium. We love anything related to football, of course. It’s number one for us. I can’t wait to take the kids to the Glazer Children’s Museum. We are going to be there a lot.

What is your biggest inspiration or role model?

My biggest role model would be my mother. She had six kids in nine years and she cooked meals for eight every night. And she did it all by herself. She gave us a great childhood, an idyllic childhood.