United Way of Cass-Clay’s 35 Under 35 2026 Class – Tory Queensley

That understanding continues to shape who I am, not only as a mother but as a leader. My partner has also been profoundly influential. His unwavering commitment to helping others—while courageously facing his own haunts and demons—models a kind of strength rooted in honesty and compassion. It’s a reminder that leadership doesn’t require perfection, only integrity. I’ve been shaped by the communities that held me when I was rebuilding my life. I am forever indebted to the Jeremiah Program for the support that empowered me to believe in my own potential and allowed me to invest in others. My recovery community and sponsor were miracles waiting for me. I’m also inspired by thinkers like Brené Brown, whose work has helped me name vulnerability as strength and connection as a cornerstone of meaningful leadership. I can’t say I just follow mentors—I collect wisdom. And I try to honor it by passing it forward.

Q: What community issue do you feel deserves more attention?

A: One community issue that deserves far more attention is how we support women—especially mothers—during crisis, recovery, and transition. Too often, systems address problems in isolation, while real life is layered. Mental health, addiction, trauma, poverty, and parenting don’t exist separately. We ask women to heal while surviving, to recover while parenting, and to navigate systems that were never designed to see them as whole people. When support is fragmented, families fracture—and the cost is generational. What’s needed is integrated, dignity-centered support that keeps families intact whenever possible. When women are met with respect, stability, and real opportunity, the impact reaches far beyond the individual.

Q: What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?

A: Honestly, I’m usually an open book—people meet me and know exactly where I stand. I’m assertive in presence and personality, but underneath it all, I’m a true softie. I care deeply, feel deeply, and hold space for people in ways that sometimes surprise them when they first meet me. Not that I am predictable, however, people may see my surface and think I am not as genuinely heartfelt and caring as I am. Another fun fact—I do not chemically add my gray streak to my hair. That is ALL natural Tory.

Q: What’s a lesson you’ve learned that you wish you had known earlier in your career?

A: Not everyone will love you—or be happy with the choices you make. You could give a million dollars to a hundred people, and one person will still find something negative to say. Early on, I placed far too much of my worth in other people’s hands.

The moment I learned to anchor my value in myself, everything changed. Once I tell myself, I’ve got this, no narrative, criticism, or external expectation can stop me. That lesson has become a compass for my career—and my life.

Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

A: The best advice I ever received came from a reading that said, “You’re probably doing better than you feel.” It hit me because sometimes life feels heavy, even when things are actually okay. That simple reminder helped me step back, breathe, and acknowledge progress I wasn’t always noticing. It’s a lesson in perspective, patience, and self-compassion that I carry into my work, my family, and my life every day.

Q: Why is our local United Way important to you?

A: It strengthens the backbone of our community. It’s about connecting resources, people, and opportunities to where they’re needed most—and ensuring no one falls through the cracks. For me, it represents the power of collective action: when organizations and individuals come together with intention, real change happens. I’ve experienced firsthand how coordinated support transforms lives—through programs like EmpowerHER, I see how access, guidance, and community investment create lasting impact for women and families. United Way embodies that same philosophy on a larger scale, and being part of that network means I can help amplify solutions, lift up those who are often overlooked, and contribute to a stronger, healthier, and more connected community.

Q: What is a hope you have for our community?

A: I hope for a community where every person feels seen, supported, and capable of reaching their full potential. A place where barriers to opportunity are dismantled, where families aren’t forced to choose survival over growth, and where compassion drives action. I hope we create systems that lift people up instead of leaving them behind—so that hope, dignity, and possibility aren’t privileges, but realities for everyone.