Austinite Tobie Funte Stylishly Leads The Way In Giving Back

The tireless non-profit champion and fitness expert Tobie Funte knows what it is like to give back to her community. While co-chairing the 40^th anniversary of the St. David’s Foundation’s Toast Of The Town events this social season, she is helming the 20 gatherings that support medical students-to-be on their academic journey.  Tobie is also a embarking upon a counseling career. This shift to helping others on a wider scale is a role she is ready to assume, as well as sharing a few of her favorite things these days with her dear friend, our very own Lance Avery Morgan.

Three qualities that got me where I am today are…Resilience, Curiosity, and Determination.

Easiest career decision I ever made is…Returning to school to get my master’s degree in counseling.

I love supporting the St. David’s Foundation Toast of The Toast events  because…100% of the funds raised go directly to the Neal Kocurek Scholarship Program.

Due to my ongoing involvement with St. David’s Foundation, I have found that…Austin is full of generous people who want to help support the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Donating my time to philanthropic organizations means that I…Am able to give back to our community and educate others about the organizations I support.

How I made my first dollar…Babysitting! I had to ride my bike to get to the other side of the neighborhood.

Last thing I binge/marathon watched…I’m embarrassed to say, but The Real Housewives of New York.

Book that left a lasting impression on me…Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

On that note, my favorite fictional character is…Alex Delaware of Jonathan Kellerman’s psychological thrillers.

My real-life hero has got to be…All of the students who participate in the St. David’s Neal Kocurek Scholarship Program. These young people have overcome so much adversity while staying focused on their dreams of going into health care.

First music I bought…Grease LP and 8-track. Grease is still the word.

If I could live in a foreign city it would be…Outside of Perugia, Italy.

What everyone/woman should try in her lifetime is…Traveling alone.

If I could compete in an Olympic sport it would be…The equestrian events.

If I weren’t doing what I do… I’m excited to be where I am right now, embarking upon my counseling career.

My hidden talent that most people might not guess is…Hmmm, I’m not sure.

If I had a superpower, I’d want it to be…Teleportation, so I can travel at any time without dealing with airports.

A simple way to get people to laugh is easy. Just… be yourself!

I phrase I might overuse would be…No worries.

My motto? Easy. It is…It’s all good.

Favorite scent these days is (because)…Coco Mademoiselle. I’ve worn this fragrance for years and never tire of it.

The beauty essential you’d have to pry out of my cold, dead hands is…Lipgloss.

A celebrity I would prank phone call and what I would ask them is…George Clooney and ask if I could stay at his villa on Lake Como.

My personal style signifier is…I have a large collection of Kemo Sabe cowboy hats that I should wear more often.

The classic movie star style I most identify with is…Lauren Bacall since she was also 5’8” and skirted the edge of fashion rules.

Classic designer I wish was still designing today (and why) is…Coco Chanel. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall of her atelier to watch all of the fabulous women (and men) coming in and out of her apartment on the Rue Cambon.

If I had to limit my shopping to one neighborhood in one city…Via del Corso in Rome.

An artist whose work I would collect (or like to collect) is…Photography of David Yarrow.

In my fridge you will always find…Chardonnay.

My favorite beverage these days is…Chardonnay.

On my tombstone, it will likely say…She Did Her Best And Never Stopped.

My perfect day would end…With amazing friends and a glass of wine overlooking the Umbrian countryside.