A Unique Perspective from a Mother and CFO
My formal education and background are in finance. However, one of the most important role models in my life was my grandmother, who spent 45 years volunteering for the food bank and Meal on Wheels. I was taught at a very early age to give back to the community. I found that just working in finance was not fulfilling for me, so I decided to make a career change.
In 2006, I started my first job in human services, particularly working for a provider of services for individuals with intellectual developmental disabilities (IDD). A completely new world was opened to me. […]
Prader-Willi Syndrome Awareness Month
Before joining the Mainstay family, I was certainly aware of Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). However, it was not until I met and really spent time with people with PWS that I truly understood how remarkable they are. You see, living with PWS means you feel hungry most of the time and your food is constantly managed by people who love you to ensure you will not eat to the point of a life-threatening complication. You exercise every day – actually you exercise twice a day, every day for 40 to 45 minutes. I decided that for one week I was going […]
Staff Appreciation Luncheon
Yesterday, the staff at Mainstay woke up to warmth and sunshine to celebrate each other at our 20-year anniversary Staff Appreciation Luncheon. Over 200 staff and board members filled the elegant LeMont ballroom as we celebrated well over 1,000 cumulative years of milestone anniversaries. Long applauds, loud cheers and a standing ovation may have shaken Pittsburgh’s picturesque Mount Washington!
The event kicked off with a warm and from the heart speech by Kim Sonafelt, CEO. She expressed gratitude for the dedicated staff and sincere appreciation for being a part of the Mainstay family. Board Chair, Bryan Cox, followed citing an enthusiastic […]
My First 6 Months at Mainstay
The great philosopher, Plato, once said, “The beginning is the most important part of the work.” As I reflect on my first six months as CEO of Mainstay Life Services, I couldn’t agree with him more.
From the start of this new journey, it’s been very important to me to get to know those that truly are the heart and soul of Mainstay. Meeting employees, families and the people we support, and hearing about their lives, seeing pictures of their loved-ones and seeing how they decorate their homes is one of my favorite parts of this job. Everyone is so unique and has […]