Stephanie Patterson

Stephanie Patterson is the former director of development and donor engagement for Marketplace. She helped build relationships between Marketplace and the listeners and organizations that believe in our mission, which then turns into financial support that allows Marketplace to create great content, reach more people and make people smarter across the country and around the world.

What was your first job?

I grew up fascinated by radio, so when my high school journalism teacher told me about a part-time job at the local radio station (think small-town Texas), I jumped at it. So for about a year, I was the weekend engineer for an oldies station — and I've been totally hooked on all things radio ever since.

Fill in the blank: Money can’t buy you happiness, but it can buy you ______.

The ability to be generous and invest in causes that matter. (Did you expect another answer from someone in my position? ;) )

What is something that everyone should own, no matter how much it costs?

A really good bed. Work hard, play hard, sleep well.

What’s the favorite item in your workspace and why?

My candy jar! It encourages people to stop by and gives me a chance to see co-workers I might not otherwise get much chance to talk with and hear about what they're doing.