Honoree Name: Courtney Butler
Company: Town of Dennis
Career background / highlights: I moved to the Cape in 2015 to serve as an intern with Cape Cod National Seashore. After that, I accepted a full-time job in the superintendent's office, where my work with towns led me to fall in love with municipal government. Since 2017, I have worked for both Wellfleet and Dennis. I earned a master’s degree in Public Administration in 2011.
Community commitment: Cape Women's Coalition, chair; Leadership Cape Cod, member, and 2020 Community Leadership Institute graduate.
Favorite professional moment: Pulling together the 2020 Annual Town Meeting in Wellfleet, during the pandemic and amidst transitions in administration. It was truly a team effort, of both residents and staff, to make this meeting happen and be such a success. As the only constant in the office at the time, it was amazing to see it come together from start to finish.
Who is your role model / mentor? Leslie Knope from NBC's “Parks and Recreation.” While Leslie is fictitious, the lessons and values she shares and holds are very real. She has taught me how to be a better citizen of my community, how to help other women around me, and most importantly, to have fun while working in government!
What mistake has taught you the most? As someone who can do a lot of talking, I've learned over the last few years, especially in my field, how important it is to listen. When we listen we can learn so much about someone, their thought process and where they are coming from.
What one book has impacted your life? "Grandma Gatewood's Walk: the Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail" by Ben Montgomery.
What is your superpower? Laughter. I have always enjoyed the comical side of myself and my ability to make people smile and laugh out loud.
Where can you be found on the weekends? Reading in a coffee shop or on the beach, or out on a nature trail taking photos!
