Maile Broccoli-Hickey

Moment of Obligation: What experiences led to the desire to start your own organization?
Having worked in the service industry for over ten years, I have seen first-hand the challenges immigrant employees face and their incredible tenacity in overcoming those challenges. I have witnessed grave misunderstandings between English-speaking and non-English speaking co-workers as well as great cooperation in spite of the language barrier. The English at Work concept was born out of a frustration with this language barrier and my conviction that the workplace is one of the best classrooms. Once I realized that no one else in Austin was using the workplace to empower low-income immigrant employees, I knew that I had to do it.

Gall to Think Big: What has given you the ability to dream big and take on deeply entrenched problems in our world?
It has been my experience that many of the most daunting opportunities are the most worthwhile. When I moved to Guatemala six years ago, I thought homesickness would drive me home within weeks, but I ended up having a fourteen-month adventure. The first time I competed in a triathlon, I thought I was going to faint before the race began; now I’m training for my third competition. The more difficult the challenge, the more creative you have to be and you find out you’re much more resourceful than you thought.

New and Untested: What's innovative about your new idea for social change?
English at Work does three things that traditional English language instruction programs do not do. First, we provide instruction at the workplace. Second, we include community and technology instruction in each lesson. Third, we conduct trust-building exercises with English-speaking co-workers. It is critical to make instruction accessible and relevant when working with adult learners because of all the constraints—both internal and external—placed on them.

Seeing Possibilities:  What are the most important qualities to be a successful social entrepreneur?
Passion, flexibility, optimism, humility, confidence, patience, impatience, and a sense of humor.

Which musical artists/albums get you going and keep you inspired?  
J Molin (my husband!: jasonmolin.net), Stevie Wonder, Manu Chau, Patty Griffin.

What books do you recommend?
Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard.

Which websites do you visit often?