If you ever need something figured out – whether it’s a grant report, a staff training, or the answer to an oddly specific question – Meagan is your person. For the past 3.5 years, she’s led as Options’ Director of Client Services, guiding best practices, supporting staff, and keeping partnerships strong (all while probably thinking about cats or tiny things).
Before joining Options, Meagan was a librarian, which makes sense when you realize she’s the kind of person who loves both knowledge and fun – but doesn’t mind a little chaos now and then. Outside of work, she’s a lover of books, puzzles, and all things small and delightful.
Meagan’s leadership keeps the pieces of our organization fitting together.
Let’s dive in to her interview!
What is your name, title, and how long have you worked at Options?
Meagan Zampieri-Lillpopp, Director of Client Services, 3.5 years
What does a “day in the life” of your role actually look like, and how does it change from day to day?
Every day is different! My main role is head of operations, programs, and services, which encompasses staffing, advocacy, community awareness activities, and outside partnerships. Frankly, it’s too much for one person. I process a lot of email and run a lot of meetings. I do get to step in as an advocate regularly, which is a really rewarding. Most of my time is spent advising, coaching, and assisting staff to meet their goals with clients or projects.
What’s one thing people misunderstand most about your job?
Outsiders think that I’m rescuing people all the time. People rescue themselves. I just get to help sometimes.
If someone shadowed you for a day, what would surprise them the most?
How much I cuss (not at people, don’t worry). It’s cool though. I have a sign. Most folks appreciate that they are allowed to speak freely as well. Cussing can be very cathartic… and I think it’s really important that folks be allowed to tell their stories in the way they truly feel them.
“Oh, nah. Don’t worry about it.” -points to sign-
How do you remind yourself to rest when you feel like there’s always more to do?
I am constantly telling people to go home. I am also the worst about going home.
I think the thing I do well though is that I know that I work a lot, so I also have zero guilt when I do need to rest more or when I have planned my rest in advance. I take my lunches most days. I book my therapy and massage and medical appointments and keep them, and I encourage everyone to do the same. We never know when we will be called upon to give just one more drop of compassion, so we have to keep our cups full. If I’m working late, it’s because I have the capacity, the interest, and a deadline. If any one of those is missing, I pretend I’m talking to a member of my staff and say, “Go home, Meagan. Go-onnow… GIT!”
Who or what do you lean on when the work feels overwhelming?
I talk to my boss. She’s usually able to take something off my plate or help me chunk it up into smaller bites so that it can be accomplished in the time I have. OR, talking it out reinvigorates or helps me get the task list into a manageable framework so that I can ask for help. Most of the time, when I’m overwhelmed it’s because I don’t know where to start or what I can delegate so everything looks bigger than it is.
Do you have a “comfort item” at work (a photo, snack, playlist, etc.) that helps you get through the day?
My office is literally a maximalist’s dream room of comfort items. I have pillows, art, plants, corny buttons, toys, essential oil diffusers, crayons & colored pencils, coloring books and books for reading for fun and books for reading for professional growth, embroidery supplies, vintage toys (that are just for looking), a drink station, stickers, sometimes candy, 1000 favorite pens, cards for many occasions, presents that I picked up for folks throughout the year, 101 tiny cheeses, 30 miniature books, and 10 tiny wine bottles, one of which is from Captain Jean-Luc Picard’s family vineyard. But the most special things are the notes and cards I’ve gotten from children or family or staff.
And then there’s Bear (and Fonzie). I’m 100% a cat person, but these are some fantastic dogs.
If your younger self could see you now, what would they be most proud of?
I haven’t moved in over five years. I have health insurance. I have a car? (I didn’t get my license until I was 21, so that’s kind of a shocker.)
I didn’t have the most stable upbringing… We moved a lot and never had money, meaning the bills weren’t always paid and most of our moves were because we couldn’t afford rent. I didn’t realize how much energy it took to move through the world poor, and now that I’m not struggling to pay to survive paycheck-to-paycheck, I get to spend that energy on so many other good things. I’m grateful every day for the privileges I have now in all the ways they exist… I never imagined I would be this safe.
Also, since I was elected to office… There are SO MANY PEOPLE who can SAY & SPELL MY WHOLE NAME. That’s amazing.
What’s one thing you wish every survivor could hear and truly believe?
We have a Survivor Bill of Rights in one of our support group curriculums… And I have seen folks deeply impacted by every one of the statements on the list. Each one hits different on any given day.
I want everyone to believe every line. And maybe they all come down to this one:
I have the right to be believed and valued.
There are a lot of things that keep us from getting help, but the emotional toil of convincing everyone that I deserve help, that it really is that bad, that I’m not making it up, and that I’m important enough to help… I think we have to work way too hard to convince ourselves first that being hurt (emotionally, physically, psychologically, sexually) isn’t normal or expected in life.
I don’t know how I would have made it out myself if my friends hadn’t believed me in the first place. There were only two times I had bruises, after all. But they did believe me. They helped me. They acted as shields and distractions and gave me their time and real dollars. My real friends—the people who stand by me still—believed me and still show me how much they value me. And for me, that set the standard I would use for my future while my son and I made our new life together that I’m so proud of.
What’s one thing about you that your coworkers might not even know?
You know what? I don’t know. And I’m not a guesser.
If you need any additional information, have a question, or a concern, feel free to reach out to Options at our 24-hour toll-free helpline 800-794-4624. You can also reach an advocate via text by texting HOPE to 847411 or click 24-Hour Chat with Options.
This grant project is supported by the State General Fund for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, sub-grant number 25-SGF-07, as administered by the Kansas Governor’s Grants Program. The opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Office of Kansas Governor.