13 minute read
W.E. ELEVATE: CAITLIN YANCEY MOORE
W.E. ELEVATE
Women Empowered Elevate
“Caitlin Yancey Moore is definitely a woman who elevates other women. I know firsthand at her core she is a woman who possesses a heart of service, selflessness, love, and kindness. The bedrock of her existence is to empower others through her community service, philanthropy, and strong business acumen. To know her is to know your moral compass is centered when she is around. I don’t know a stronger woman.”
-Dionte Gavin | Senior Operations Director/Leon County Division of Tourism/Visit Tallahassee
Caitlin Yancey Moore, a native of Tallahassee, has strong roots in her hometown, tied into numerous professional and philanthropic organizations throughout the community. She is a very proud mother of two children, Ivy (12) and Wesley (4). Caitlin is Vice President in Residential Lending at one of the area’s oldest local banks, TC Federal Bank. Caitlin began her career in finance in 2006 and has excelled in various fields within the finance world over the years. She found her greatest passion lies in residential lending and helping her clients realize their new home dreams. Her tremendous work ethic, along with her commitment to exceptional service, has led her to be a top producer in her industry, continuously landing in the top 1% of residential lenders in the Nation. Caitlin is equally dedicated to giving back to her community, an active volunteer and community servant, serving on boards and in leadership positions for several nonprofits. She serves on the Board of Directors for 2-1-1 of the Big Bend, and on the Power Five for United Way, and has served in various capacities served with The Junior League of Tallahassee, Emerging Leaders, and Women United, as well as an active volunteer and supporter of HOPE Community, CCYS, Big Bend Cares, Habitat for Humanity and many more. She serves professionally as the Past President of the Mortgage Bankers Association of Tallahassee (2020), and Executive Board Member of the Mortgage Bankers Association of Florida. Additionally, she is an affiliate member of the Tallahassee Board of Realtors, Tallahassee Builders Association, The Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, Tallahassee Network of Young Professionals, and a graduate of Leadership Tallahassee, Class 38, and has most recently been elected to the Board of Governors for the Governors Club.
What do you think are the keys that lead to your success?
I always lead with my values. I absolutely love to work, but even more than that to fill every minute of my day with purpose and dedicate my time to causes I believe in. If you work to benefit others and the things you love, you live a fulfilled life.
As an empowered woman that empowers other women, what advice do you have for people wanting to make a difference or serve their community?
Find organizations you believe in, that align with your heart. Do your research and make sure the mission of the organization is the mission of your soul. Don’t over-extend yourself but trust me when I say the time creates itself when you are giving back. I am active in the Junior League of Tallahassee and 211 Big Bend, and the United Way so I would highly recommend any of them if you were looking for a place to start!
What goals do you have for your own future and for the future of the Tallahassee community?
Tallahassee is a wonderful place with an incredibly bright future, and we must rally behind efforts to make our community stronger tomorrow than it is today. I want my children to see and believe that I am playing an active role in doing exactly that.
Caitlin Yancy Moore
Caitlin is an excellent mother & mortgage lender, a mediocre golf player, and an avid Adele fan. But more than all of those traits, Caitlin is an extraordinary woman. She is one of the hardest working, most selfless individuals I have ever met, a truly beautiful person, a generous friend, and a bright light in a sea of darkness. The world, and Tallahassee specifically, are made better by her presence, and the world is a better place because of her and her service to others. To know her is to love her and to know more love and kindness in your own life than before. From her friend – for all the love that you put into this world, you deserve it back in spades CYM. Mom is the most important and greatest honor of her life. She truly is the mother every movie tries to portray and the one every woman aspires to be. Her role as mother is evident in every aspect of her life too, she teaches her kids that the only time you should look into your neighbor’s cup is to ensure that they have enough and to do something if they do not, and that doing something good can always lead to something better. She lives all the ideals and morals she instills as a mother and demonstrates these in her work and in the community daily.
Creating a new You
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DERRYBERRY LEVEL UP WITHKiraBy Dr. Michelle Mitcham | Photography By Kira DerryBerry
Creativity and compassion are the first two words I think of, after brilliant and beautiful when thinking of Kira Derryberry. I first spent time getting to know Kira in October 2018 when she was shooting me for the cover of Tallahassee Woman Magazine. I had heard how awesome she was as a human being as well as a marvelous photographer, but that day, I had the first-hand experience of connecting with her. Kira took her time to listen to the concept for the cover, and also listened with her heart. I am still so honored that she shot my cover for the December issue that year. She captured the vision of the former owner and editor precisely! During that visit, Kira and I learned that we are both half Indian and are passionate about empowering others. It was effortless to work with Kira and she captured the winning photos with great precision and expertise. To watch Kira in action is art in motion. I admire her confidence and next level determination and excellence. It is evident in the thousands of photos of individuals and families she captures year round. Kira has shot over 30 TWM covers prior to this self-portrait of sorts. I knew that I wanted to feature her on the cover - to show the genius behind the camera, who captures most of all of the TWM covers, and this moment was organic and now is the right time. Kira is a leader in her profession and is paving the way for women in leadership, by example. Her philosophy is Level Up. Kira believes that there are always ways to take your talent to the next level as we are evolving incessantly. It is my honor to feature Kira in this issue of TWM and celebrate all that she is and will continue to do. She is a RED (resilient, empowered and determined) woman on all accounts. Her philosophy resonates with mine and I am in her and fan club. I am sure that if you know her, then you already are a fan. If you do not know her, it is my sincere wish that you get the opportunity to meet this trailblazer! Introducing the Level Up Queen, Kira Derryberry.
Publisher: Who is the woman behind the camera?
Honestly, I’m just a big nerd who likes to photograph people. Kira: Tell us about your early life, family, inspirations? You have a diverse background. Do you celebrate all aspects of your culture?
I grew up in a mixed race family in Huntsville, AL. My father is white and my mother is Indo-Guyanese. They met and married within a week of knowing each other when my mother was just 19.
My mom left Guyana for the opportunities that the United States affords all immigrants. She taught me the value of a strong work ethic and how to seize the opportunities that came her way. I see my own commitment to building my business as a direct result of her support.
I met my wonderful husband Kevin while at the University of Alabama and together we have our 13 year old daughter, Lucy.
Publisher: How did you develop your love for photography and creativity?
Kira: My dad was a big inspiration for my photography and creativity. He gave me my
first camera and taught me the basics. He has always been a jack of all trades who dabbled in photography, sculpture, web design, carpentry, small engine repair, you name it. All of his pursuits prepared him for his current work as a property flipper.
Both of my parents encouraged me to pursue my passions and build a business around something I care about.
Publisher: Was there something that you were passionate about doing before pursuing photography?
Kira: As a small business owner, I knew that if I wanted to be successful, then I would have to improve my skills. When I first started my business, I had so many questions about how to improve, and how to go about talking to other photographers. I found the Tallahassee Professional Photographers Guild and saw the value in joining a community of local photographers all working to better themselves.
Engaging with TPPG led to the Florida Professional Photographers and the Professional Photographers of America. PPA is the second oldest professional organization in the country with over 34,000 members all committed to improving and mentoring photographers to improve our business. I’m proud to say that I serve as the Vice President of PPA and will become President of PPA in 2023.
Kira: Photography has been a passion since I could hold a camera. I worked on the yearbook staff in high school, and attended the University of Alabama to study photography and digital art.
But I’ve always worked, from selling makeup in the mall, to my first job after high school working tech support for an internet startup company. At Alabama, I took advantage of the New College program to design my own degree focused on both photography and web design work. I worked on campus in the communications office, building websites for faculty members.
My husband and I moved to Tallahassee for him to attend grad school, and I worked for five years in web design for a local marketing company. There I added sales skills to my web design talents. In 2010, I launched Kira Derryberry Photography out of an extra room in a friend’s home and I’ve never looked back.
Publisher: You teach the fundamentals and expert techniques in photography. You were also in leadership is president of your national Association? Tell us more about the journey and how you got to this point?
Publisher: I know lots of people ask this but what’s your why?
Kira: What’s my why? Well, I think it could best be described in terms of a program I have taught over the years called, Level Up. Growing up interested in computers also meant interested in video games, and I loved idea of “leveling up”.
You’re never finished, the game is never over. You get to keep improving. I always try to find a new way to improve in my craft and in my business. For photographers in the industry, I manage a Facebook group called Level Up, where I explore new ways to improve.
Publisher: You’ve now shot over
30 covers for Tallahassee Woman Magazine. How did you develop your special approach for highlighting women?
Kira: I have had the honor of photographing so many incredible Tallahassee women. In my photography, I hope to show what makes them strong, capable, leaders in our community. Each shot is designed with the featured woman in mind to enhance their natural beauty and show the world how they see themselves.
Publisher: TWM is honored to celebrate you. What’s your message to other women they would like to own their own business and pursue a career in the creative space?
Kira: Owning your own business means that no one on your team will work as hard as you. You need to put in the work and commit yourself to learning what it takes to be successful and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. Never stop trying to level up.
Publisher: Tell us about this amazing cover and the rich colors? What motivated you to take this unique and brilliant shot? Tell us about the photo with you from different perspectives? What is the meaning behind it?
Kira: In constantly trying to level up, I wanted to try something a little different with a series of pop art portraits that explore color theory and how different colors evoke different moods. This cover relies on a triadic color scheme, with three colors equally spaced apart on the color wheel representing three separate moods all working in harmony.
Orange evokes creativity, blue evokes responsibility and trust, while magenta conveys compassion. This pop art style allows us to convey a sense of fun while exploring the creativity, responsibility and compassion that I hope make up not only my approach to business, but the rest of my life as well. As to the multiple perspective photo. I had to laugh at this one. While I contract with some amazing professional photographers in Tallahassee, I often work as a one-woman shop. So, I put myself in different roles to show that small business owners often have to do it all.
Publisher: What’s the most fascinating job you’ve ever done? What makes the shot?
Kira: Photography has exposed me to a number of incredible opportunities, from seeing my work reflected on buses and billboards across the Panhandle, to seeing the covers of Tallahassee Woman Magazine and Professional Photographer. Working with local actors and Marsha Doll Models even led to an opportunity to appear alongside Marsha on an episode of TLC’s Welcome to Plathville.
In every opportunity, what makes the shot is knowing the technical aspects of the job, but also having built a rapport and earning the trust of the person in the shot.
Publisher: What’s next?
In 2023, I will become the first woman of color to serve as President of Professional Photographers of America. I am honored to lead PPA at a time when the demographics of our membership is changing and more women are starting their own photography businesses than ever before.
While Kira Derryberry Photography continues to be a successful business, I also have the opportunity to teach and share my story through the Get Your Shoot Together podcast, I started with my friend and current PPA Chair, Mary Fisk Taylor.
Publisher: What’s the question that you wish people would ask you?
Kira: Do you want to join my band? Seriously, we have a karaoke set up in the house and I’m constantly inviting friends over to sing. I would love the opportunity to sing more often, I just need to find the time!
