After 9/11, Patricia Henry had a “radical change” in her life and took a sabbatical from TIAA-CREF to work with the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic. There, she worked with 80 coffee farmers, helping them create their own branded cooperative and work toward organic standards.
Romance ensued. Chris, a forestry volunteer, was just down the dirt road. Patricia tells a story that’s right out of an Indiana Jones movie. The two of them hit the wilderness for an overnight hiking and camping trip, and Patricia injures her leg. Chris carries her down the mountain (without Harrison Ford’s pathetic “I’m stressed” look on his face…have you ever noticed he has that same look no matter what movie he’s in?) where she is then air-lifted out by helicopter to a hospital.
Chris and Patricia married and now live in Colorado, where Chris is a wildland firefighter. Patricia returned to TIAA-CR
Patricia, husband Chris, and their son, Gunnar
EF with more vigor and clarity than before.
“I can handle a bigger workload and multi-task better because of my sabbatical experience,” she says. “I also work on teams better – I’m more patient and have a better understanding of people.”
After being in the Peace Corps for two years, she came back to the States and started working five days later. “I had culture shock. I was an American in the DR for so long that my opinions were challenged. I carry that with me today in my professional and personal life.”
She’s the same, but different. “I’m a type-A person and a go-getter. Now, I take stock of situations before I move and don’t get rattled.” In her role at TIAA-CREF, where she directs planning for company meetings and events, she works with clients and 
speakers. “I have a better perspective. I was working with illiterate farmers. Now, if someone’s hotel suite isn’t ready, I can deal with it.”
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