Periann Pulliam has been with Upward Transitions since 2009, serving as Director of Volunteers, Chief Operating Officer and now CEO, overseeing the organization’s mission to support individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Through case management and stabilizing resources, she leads efforts to help people navigate financial hardship, meet basic needs and remain productive members of their communities. We caught up with Pulliam and got her thoughts on …
… the importance of serving the disenfranchised.
Every person we serve has a different story and a unique set of circumstances that brought them to Upward Transitions’ door. There is rarely a single reason someone becomes homeless or faces housing instability, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. One thing many of the people we serve have in common, however, is the absence of a support system they can turn to in a crisis.
I am blessed with an incredible network of family and friends, and I grew up watching my parents help relatives, friends and customers even when things were tight for our own family. I am grateful to carry forward their example and to work in a community like Oklahoma City, where nonprofits, government, philanthropists and businesses collaborate to support people who otherwise might have no one to turn to.
… how her various roles within Upward Transitions help her lead today.
When I began my career with Upward Transitions, I was the only staff member in the Travelers Aid program. At times, I felt somewhat removed from the rest of the Community Outreach team, but that position allowed me to observe processes with an objective eye. I often served as a sounding board for the frontline team, which helped me build strong relationships across the organization.
As COO, I was incredibly grateful to work alongside legendary CEO Ray Bitsche. Together, we fostered a culture in which every voice is heard, and team members are encouraged to take ownership, suggest improvements and participate in planning. I believe when we give our team the resources, support and freedom to do what is right for our neighbors, people grow both individually and collectively. That growth strengthens our organization and expands our ability to serve the community.
… staying connected to the mission as CEO.
It can be easy to sit in a corner office and focus on high-level organizational needs, but my office is strategically located near the front desk and front door, so I hear what is happening throughout the day. I make a point of answering incoming calls, responding to the door intercom and stopping by the lobby to speak with clients.
I especially love seeing someone smile as they pick up their identification documents and realize they can now begin a new job. I never tire of hearing the relief in a mother’s voice when she learns her rent will be paid and her children will not lose their home. We also host two client parties each year, which give me a wonderful opportunity to sit down and simply talk with the people we serve.
… proudest accomplishments.
In my 17 years with Upward Transitions, I am most proud of how our team came together in 2020 to continue serving the community during the pandemic. We were accustomed to meeting with every client in person, but when that was no longer possible, our team rallied to create processes for accepting partner referrals electronically and providing assistance by phone, email and virtual chat. Those systems enabled half of our staff to work remotely through most of 2020 while removing transportation barriers for clients and improving access to our services. Many of the processes we introduced that year have since become standard operating procedures.
… what people should understand about housing instability.
Poverty, homelessness and housing instability are complex, and no single solution works for every person or family. Stagnant wages, rising costs, unaffordable housing, limited access to physical and mental healthcare, domestic violence and human trafficking are among the factors that can leave people one crisis away from losing stable housing. Our neighbors who live in poverty, experience homelessness or face housing instability are human beings who deserve the dignity of a safe, stable home. Despite common misconceptions, most did not become homeless and do not remain homeless by choice.
A network of public and private organizations in Oklahoma City is working together to advance policy changes, expand the supply of affordable housing and provide supportive services that help families and individuals obtain and maintain stable housing. That work also requires the support of the broader community as we help our neighbors prevent or exit homelessness.
… why Upward Transitions remains relevant today.
Upward Transitions was founded in 1925 as the Travelers Aid Society of Oklahoma City by 12 community-minded women who offered a helping hand to travelers at the Santa Fe Train Station. For more than a century, the organization has remained relevant by adapting to changing community needs. We served as the local USO during World War II, assisted Vietnamese refugees in the 1970s and provided disaster relief following tornadoes, hurricanes, ice storms and a pandemic.
When homelessness increased across the nation and in our community during the 1980s, we expanded our services for people experiencing homelessness and deepened our collaboration with community partners to address its many causes and consequences. Today, our primary services include retrieving identification documents for people experiencing homelessness and preventing eviction for families and seniors at risk of losing their homes. We also continue to provide travel assistance to stranded travelers and survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking.
… the organization’s biggest opportunities and challenges looking ahead.
Our biggest challenge is that, although Upward Transitions has served the Oklahoma City community for 101 years, many people outside the nonprofit sector are still unaware of the critical services we provide and our partnerships with more than 50 agencies across the city. Our greatest opportunity is to build broader community awareness by drawing on our history and sharing the success stories of the more than 4,100 people in 2,800 households who find relief, empowerment and hope through our services each year.
… her typical day.
Every day at Upward Transitions is different, but most begin with me saying good morning to each team member, which always lifts my spirits. Each morning, I meet with one member of our leadership team. The meeting may last 15 minutes or an hour, but it is protected time when we have each other’s undivided attention to discuss programs, clients, staffing, marketing, fund development, events, volunteers, operations or anything else that requires collaboration.
The rest of my day often includes meetings or calls with funders, partners, vendors and board members, along with networking and public relations opportunities. I also spend significant time preparing grant applications and follow-up reports and managing budgets and financial reporting. Of course, an occasional IT or building maintenance issue requires me to roll up my sleeves and kick off my heels. With so many hats to wear, my hair is usually a little messy by the end of the day.
… her long-term commitment to Upward Transitions.
In 2009, after a decade in residential real estate, my younger sister, Janet, inspired me to pursue a nonprofit career. I had enjoyed helping with her American Cancer Society events and admired the fulfillment she found in her work. When I saw the opening for Travelers Aid Program Volunteer Coordinator, the role felt tailor-made for me and the skills I had developed over the previous 20 years. I met the incredible airport volunteers and fell in love with them and their enormous hearts for serving the community.
I soon learned more about Upward Transitions’ social services, including helping people experiencing homelessness recover identification documents and helping families and seniors avoid homelessness. Over the next six years, I had the privilege of representing the organization at meetings, community fairs and speaking engagements. When I was offered the Chief Operations Officer position in 2015, leaving the volunteer program was difficult, but I knew the new role would allow me to make a meaningful impact on even more lives, so I jumped in with both feet.
Our work can be intense, but seeing clients reach goals they once thought impossible makes the difficult moments worthwhile. When someone who was struggling to stay clean and sober 10 years ago stops by to say thank you and shares that they now have a career they love and a family they cherish, I am reminded why I want to offer that same hope and help to everyone struggling to hold things together.
