The Girl Dad Campaign, a collaboration between Girls Inc. Indy and Indianapolis Indians Charities, honors the influential dads and father-figures in girls’ lives while raising critical funds for life-changing programming. This year, under the theme  “Double the Impact: Powered by Goelzer,” Goelzer Investment Management, one of Indiana’s largest registered investment advisory firms, will match every community-raised dollar up to $10,000, doubling the total impact to $20,000.

In celebration of this year’s campaign, Rebecca W. Jacklin, Managing Director of Institutional Advisory Services at Goelzer, shares a heartfelt tribute to her father. She recalls the lessons he taught, the values he modeled, and how his unwavering support has shaped her journey. Together, these moments reflect the very spirit of the Girl Dad Campaign and its celebration of dads who help girls grow up to be strong, smart, and bold.

My dad has been an amazing supporter of me and my journey to becoming who I am today. I have so many fond memories of how he supported me – from never missing a tennis match (seriously, ALL the way through college!), being my biggest fan on the sidelines to celebrating the career highlights of a new job or promotion. I have asked him many times if he could bottle up his parenting recipe so I would have it while raising my own kids! A few lessons I learned that I have carried with me as I navigated my own personal journey:

1. 1. Dad always said, “There is a lot I can’t do, but almost nothing I can’t get done!” I always took this to mean who you surround yourself with is important – in both your professional life and your personal life. I tend to keep my circle tight – with people who I know I can count on and who I know will help me tackle what may feel like the impossible.
3. 2. Support your community with your time, talent, and treasure. My dad and I have been fortunate to share time serving together on a couple of boards (Bosma Enterprises and the Ayres Foundation, Inc), but we both also support many organizations separately through our board commitments. Watching his involvement in community has certainly fed my passion for giving back. I would not be who I am today without the community of organizations that we benefit from growing up – my church, the YMCA, The Children’s Museum and others. I have always believed, to whom much is given, much is expected. I try to live this out every day, modeling the importance for my own children.
5. 3. Keep your head down and work hard every day. It’s not about recognition and your name in lights; it’s about doing your best, showing up consistently and doing the hard work. As a woman in finance, historically a male dominated field, his example of showing up to do the hard work, every day, certainly taught me the right way to be the best version of myself.

There are so many other life lessons I learned from my dad – I could probably write a book. He truly is the best Girl Dad! He always said “Don’t do anything you wouldn’t want your Grandma to see on the front page of the paper.” My dad, for his support, encouragement and unconditional love, belongs on the front page, above the fold. Grandma would definitely want to see that!

Join the Girl Dad Movement and help us reach $10,000. Every dollar will be matched by Goelzer Investment Management to double the impact for Girls Inc. Indy girls. Your support will honor extraordinary dads and father-figures while empowering the next generation of strong, smart, and bold girls. Here’s how you can get involved:

• Make a $25 gift for Girl Dad ‘25 in honor of an inspirational dad or father-figure at www.girlsincindy.org/girl-dad.
• Community partners interested in hosting a Girls Inc. Girl Dad week at their workplace may contact Jade Stone, Sr. Director of Advancement, at jstone@girlsincindy.org. Partners will receive an implementation plan and giveaways to encourage employees to make a gift to Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis in honor of a girl dad, dad, or father-figure in their life.
• Follow us @girlsincindy on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for features of positive male role models for girls in the Indianapolis community.