Pioneer Celebrates 2024 Employee Leadership Awards
We are proud to share the winners of the 2024 Pioneer Employee Leadership Awards. There were many amazing entries and the final selection was difficult as usual with all of our rising stars!
Read about the following winners:
Elloween Henderson Unsung Hero Award
Robert Jones, Help desk Supervisor - IT (Pictured Top)
Tenure: 19 years
This award is given each year to a Pioneer Human Services employee below the grade of Director who works “behind the scenes” in support of the mission of Pioneer.
Behind the scenes, Rob works daily on IT issues across the state with a calm manner and aptitude for listening. From basic computer issues to complex technology challenges, Rob is always finding the answers or reaching out to other IT staff for you if he cannot solve the problem on his own. He listens to complaints all day, but you don't hear a complaint coming from him.
Rob always has a sense of urgency to get things done, accomplishes tasks with the utmost professionalism and confidentiality, and makes sure the task is done right. In addition, Rob can communicate technical information effectively to staff with minimal technology backgrounds so there is clarity in what needs to be done to solve the problem. He understands the frustration of staff when technology fails and diligently tries to solve any issues in a timely manner.
Many employees have Rob on speed dial and he is always calm and kind when responding to employees' issues. He makes it a point to continue his education in tech, reading and studying around the clock to better serve the staff. His dedication to the IT division is a tremendous asset to the organization and we appreciate his 19 years of service.
Ralph Bruksos Mission Impact Award
Patricia Campbell, Certified Peer Specialist, Skagit Community Detox (Pictured 2nd from Top)
Tenure: 9 years
Honoring an employee who has significantly contributed to Pioneer’s mission and has clearly demonstrated a positive impact on the people we serve in one of the following areas within the last year: Direct Services, Advocacy and Partnership.
Patti is a dedicated and compassionate peer counselor who has spent the last 10 years tirelessly supporting successful client reentry and community transition at Skagit Community Detox.
DIRECT SERVICE: She has played an essential role in helping clients navigate the challenging path from detox services to the next steps in their recovery journey. Her empathy and encouragement have made a profound impact, particularly for those who are nervous or unsure about entering detox. Patti consistently offers support to clients who are struggling, helping many to stay the course when they felt like leaving. Her dedication to their recovery journeys has been a critical factor in their successful transitions.
ADVOCACY: She is a a strong advocate for her clients, consistently raising awareness about the barriers they face, particularly for those with criminal histories. Patti not only helps clients overcome these obstacles but also advocates for systemic changes to reduce these barriers. Through her advocacy, she fosters a more supportive environment for clients as they work toward reintegration into the community.
PARTNERSHIP: Over the years, Patti has been instrumental in building and maintaining key relationships with stakeholders that align with both Pioneer’s mission and specific program goals. She has fostered partnerships with community organizations and employers, ensuring that clients have the resources and opportunities necessary for successful transitions. Her work in sustaining these vibrant community partnerships has created lasting support networks that benefit both clients and the broader community. Her dedication to supporting client reentry, breaking down barriers, and fostering strong community relationships is truly inspirational.
Lloyd Snider Mission Impact Award
Ashley Sale, Program Manager, Phoenix Transitional House (Pictured 3rd from Top)
Tenure: 3 years
This award recognizes a Pioneer employee who has significantly contributed to Pioneer’s mission and has clearly demonstrated a positive impact on the people we serve in one of the following areas within the last year: Direct Services, Advocacy, Partnership.
Ashley started as an intern at the Phoenix and then rose to become a case manager, before being promoted to program manager. She has shown superior management skills, leadership and a high level of customer service by advocating for each and every person who walks through the door. By forming good relations with physicians, counselors and peer support advocates, and staying active with staff development, Ashley goes above and beyond in her daily work. She shows dedication for those in need and compassion for those on their recovery journey.
Staff report that she takes the initiative to really engage with them offering constructive advice, feedback and and suggestions when problems need solving. The level of support that she commits to her staff is execptional and it was reported that she is always willing to learn how to develop and maintain best practices for staff so all feel feel comfortable, heard and important to Pioneer.
All agree that Ashley has put the majority of her time and energy, and her whole heart into the program. She can take the most difficult client and build an amazing rapport to help the client become successful living in the Phoenix program.
Daily, Ashley displays an incredible amount of patience and understanding for the clients served in the housing program and she deserves recognition and a huge "Thank you."
Norm Chamberlain Award
Jennifer McPherson, Director of Community Integrations/Foundational Community Supports - FCS - (Pictured Bottom)
Tenure: 10 years
This award recognizes a Pioneer employee who has, by virtue of his or her leadership, significantly contributed to the attainment of organizational goals in the prior year. Irrespective of their position at Pioneer, this person will have had a high impact on the organization, its employees and the people we serve.
Jennifer has been instrumental in fostering a climate of positive change within the organization. She has championed continuous quality improvement initiatives, leading efforts to streamline unit operations, which has significantly enhanced the overall client experience. Under her leadership, there has been a noticeable increase in the level of customer service, reflected by positive client feedback and smoother service delivery.
Under Jennifer’s leadership, the Community Integrations Team has grown significantly—doubling in size - as she’s skillfully expanded its capacity to serve individuals in Pierce, King, Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, Island, and greater Spokane counties. Her ability to scale the team while maintaining the quality of service has been nothing short of exceptional.
Staff Investment: Jennifer has made a considerable investment in the development of her staff. She has consistently focused on recruiting top talent and ensuring that her team members receive proper mentoring and coaching. Her commitment to staff growth is evident in the comprehensive training opportunities she offers, ensuring that her team stays equipped with the latest knowledge and skills. Moreover, Jennifer has fostered an inclusive and affirming professional community, creating a workplace environment where team members feel valued and supported.
Financial Health: Jennifer has demonstrated outstanding financial stewardship, ensuring that her unit operates with a positive financial margin. She has been adept at financial forecasting, which has helped the unit stay on track with its budgetary goals. In times of financial challenge, Jennifer has identified and implemented corrective measures to safeguard the fiscal health of her unit while still maintaining high service quality.
Program Integration: Jennifer is a firm advocate of collaboration across different program lines. She has played a key role in building a culture of cross-functional collaboration that breaks down silos and promotes shared mission values across teams and between departments, and facilitating better communication and coordination between teams. This has not only improved efficiency, but has also resulted in a more holistic approach to client care, as different programs now work together more seamlessly to serve the needs of clients.
Service Innovation: Jennifer has led the development of new service models that have transformed client care in her department. Her innovative approach to service design has been successfully implemented, resulting in measurable improvements in client outcomes. Her forward-thinking strategies have placed her department at the forefront of service innovation, setting a benchmark for others to follow.
Jennifer invests her time, knowledge and energy into creating and maintaining collaborative relationships with programs across PHS. She consistently looks for ways to provide feedback and embrace changes as her team moves in and out the various locations and in to communities they serve. Jennifer has a passion for growing and developing her team while allowing grace for them to learn from their mistakes. Through Jennifer's strategic thinking and efforts, she has been able to grow her department and team. Several of her employees have been promoted into supervisors by providing a career path for succession planning and retention of talent.
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
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