REGIONAL SUPERVISOR OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS AND NEW HAMPSHIRE, Youth Villages
Company location: Worcester
Residence: Fitchburg
Favorite color: Shades of blue are calming – teal, blue, purple.
Age: 28
Career highlights: My career at Youth Villages started in 2007 as a family intervention specialist. In 2009, I was promoted to clinical supervisor, leading a team of five counselors helping 20 families. Later, I became a senior supervisor. In August 2010 I was promoted to regional supervisor, managing Youth Villages’ offices in Worcester and Springfield. I now also oversee our Manchester, N.H., operations.
Community involvement: Working with emotionally and behaviorally troubled children and their families, I and our counselors are highly involved in the community. Our mission is to help children and families live successfully, and we will do whatever it takes to accomplish that.
Biggest success: Graduating with my master’s degree was very important to me. Being promoted to regional supervisor at a leading children’s mental health nonprofit is huge. I am extremely proud of our work in the commonwealth and to be able to support our staff, who work so hard to help Massachusetts’ most vulnerable and troubled children and families. This is so much more than a job.
Biggest challenge: My biggest professional challenge definitely was completing my master’s degree. It was difficult to juggle my responsibilities at my internships with my academic requirements and expectations. What helped me get through this challenge was the unending support of my family, and my passion to help children and families.
Mentors: My licensure supervisor, James Bresnahan, is a true mentor. He provides me with wonderful advice about how to grow professionally and clinically. My direct supervisor at Youth Villages, Lori Sustek, also is a great mentor. I admire for her management skills, passion for our work and supportive leadership style.
Hidden talent: I can knit. Although I am still probably in the remedial stage, my family can always count on me if they want a simple blanket or scarf.
