Staff Stories - January 31, 2022

Emerging Leadership at Goodwin Living

Staff Stories of Career Development | Chapter 1

By Timaeus Reed

People have relied on each other for all of human history. Some of us are older, stronger or quicker at crunching numbers; the best way to achieve anything is to open yourself up to the talented people around you. Not only does this make practical sense, it also feels good to surround yourself with people who can support your growth—and to support them in kind.

At Goodwin Living, we are proudly home to a work family with a variety of talented people who seek to lift one another into success. In celebration of National Mentoring Month, join us in recognizing stories of the career development of staff in our communities.

Jackie Barbarito

Jackie Barbarito MHA, LNHA has an unstoppable drive and commitment to service. She first came to Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads (GHBC) in the summer of 2016, training to be an administrator under Chief Operations Officer Linda Lateana.

Jackie bonded with countless colleagues and mentors along her journey at Goodwin Living, but Linda has a special place her in heart. They became so close over the years that Linda would eventually introduce Jackie to her husband Bryce Scholar, Project Manager at GHBC. Jackie even saw fit to have Linda officiate their wedding! It was no surprise that Linda would be the one eager to secure a position for Jackie after her training was complete. Thanks to powerful bonds like these, Jackie quickly realized that Goodwin Living would be a home away from home for years to come.

“I wanted to stay at Goodwin Living, but I did not expect it,” Jackie said. “When I came in for my interview with Linda, I immediately loved the energy the campus gave. The staff come from such diverse backgrounds. I love learning about their cultures and being a part of their lives. The residents provide so much wisdom through their stories. I feel a sense of belonging working here.”

Credit: Alexandria Chamber of Commerce | Jackie Barbarito (left) receiving her top
40 under 40 award in 2021

Now serving as the Administrator of Assisted Living and Memory Support at Goodwin House Alexandria (GHA), Jackie has never stopped developing her professional skill set and capacity for service. She completed the Emerging Leaders Program at Goodwin Living, the LeadingAge Mid-Manager series with LeadingAge Virginia and the Leadership Alexandria program with the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce. All of Jackie’s work to help older adults with their brain health and life enrichment eventually led her to receive accolades in the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce 2021 40 Under 40 Awards and a placement in the Encore Creativity Board of Directors.

Throughout this journey, Linda was among the many mentors acting as beacons of support and encouragement. Reflecting on her career development, Jackie attributes much of her growth to all the relationships she’s made at Goodwin Living.

“I know I can call Linda for advice whenever I need it,” Jackie said. “She is someone who will listen, question and guide. The people at Goodwin Living, like Linda, Lindsay Hutter (Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer), Cathy Farmer (Director of Clinical Services) have supported and encouraged me in every professional growth opportunity. In 2016, I would not have pictured being where I am today without them.”

Estephanie Rubio

We encourage staff to branch out and forge new paths, no matter where they begin. It’s common to see members of our work family developing their skills across multiple departments. At Goodwin Living, new and exciting career opportunities are often just one conversation away!

When Estephanie Rubio came to GHBC in 2012, she never expected to become such a well trusted pillar in our community. She began working in Dining Services, delivering quality, personalized care to residents in our restaurants. Week after week, Estephanie loved the fast-developing friendships she made with her colleagues and residents. But in truth, she only planned to stay with us temporarily.

“My long-term goal was to serve in the Marines for 20 years,” Estephanie said. “When I had to have surgery, it complicated things. So, I decided to stay with GHBC.”

What first seemed like an unfortunate setback in being able to realize her life goals quickly evolved into something meaningful. Goodwin Living would transform from a temporary gig into place of possibilities.

Estephanie Rubio (center left) pictured with Goodwin Living leadership and
other Tuition Assistance recipients.

Estephanie was encouraged by her colleagues and family to pursue higher education at the University of Maryland Global Campus. She took stock of the many benefits and resources available to Goodwin Living staff. The Goodwin Living Foundation, for example, offered her much needed support with the tuition assistance, made possible thanks to generous donors. Now, she is confidently pursuing a degree in Human Resource Management and expects to make use of these skills in the work home that helped prepare her for success.

Estephanie has worked hard. Along her career development path, Estephanie completed our Emerging Leaders program in 2016 and incorporated the core leadership skills she gained into her work. In 2018, she crossed department lines and transitioned away from her role as a Supervisor in Dining Services to join the Facilities Management and Environmental Services team. As the Assistant Manager and Service Coordinator, she maintains the security, stability and freshness of our community. GHBC staff and residents alike know they can count on her and her team to make Goodwin Living a place for everyone to thrive!

Join Our Work Family!

We could not be more excited for the paths that lie ahead for these two emerging leaders. It has been a blessing and a privilege to be part of their success, and we know that more success awaits them.

If you would like to join a team of friendly, passionate people from all walks of life, Goodwin Living is the place for you! Follow this link to find the available opportunities that best fit your experience. As you now know, wherever you start at Goodwin Living, it can be just the beginning of a dynamic and exciting career path. Join us for more Goodwin Living career development stories in future blog posts!

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Timaeus Reed is a Marketing and Communications Specialist at GHI. He plans, writes and designs for internal and external campaigns that support all areas of the organization. He relocated to D.C. to join the team in the summer of 2021. When he isn’t getting lost in traffic, Timaeus loves listening to live Go-Go music and stand-up comedy.