Katie Arens Vice President of Customer Accounts Life EMS Ambulance
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What motivated you to become a mentor in this program? I was passionate about becoming a WiES mentor because I wish over my last fifteen years in emergency services I had someone to turn to and say "You've got this", "Have you tried this" or "I've been there to".
What do you hope the mentees will take away from their experience in this program? My hope is that each mentee will feel heard, supported, renewed, and empowered to go out and continue the mission that they have been called to within their communities. That they will know they have a network of women standing with them, to see to it that they excel in all areas of their lives, not just professionally, but personally as well.
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Cassandra (Cassie) Keocher HR Manager Lakes Region EMS |
Having had strong female mentors and coaches that have helped me in my journey, and I strive to do the same for others. I want to set an example for others and show how we come together as women and build each other up.
Too often women do not know how to support each other in a healthy, non-threatening way. I hope to gain deep connections with other female leaders in order to build a community of women who build each other up and support one another.
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Tracey Loscar Deputy Director Mat-Su Borough EMS |
What motivated you to become a mentor in this program? The opportunity to reach out to a niche of providers who are willing to engage in growth, even when the subject matter can be difficult
How do you plan to inspire and empower the mentees to reach their full potential? There are times when leadership is an incredibly isolating experience. I want to help by being available to listen, providing a sounding board, and sharing my experiences. Hopefully, that will resonate with participants and help them realize that they are not alone in their role and that there are resources out there who understand their position.
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Joanne Piccininni EMS Program Director Bergen Community College |
What motivated you to become a mentor in this program? I admire the initiative the founders of WiES have taken to start this mentorship program and can appreciate the dedication needed to make it a success. The opportunity to contribute to this program is not something I wanted to miss. It is a privilege to be on the ground floor to provide positive motivation to women in EMS.
What do you hope the mentees will take away from their experience in this program? I am hoping that the mentees will learn how to be strong yet humble leaders in EMS. Learn to have the ability to speak up but yet know they don't have to always prove themselves because they are women. I want them to keep their eyes open to opportunities and be willing to put themselves out there to promote progress in EMS in addition to their own ability to lead others.
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Angela Sereda Manager of Mobile Integrated Health Program Medavie Health Services |
Can you share any specific skills or expertise that you are excited to share with the mentees? Culture, morale, recruitment, and retention; values/reasons of why employees stay is because they are involved, appreciated, empowered, and valued. As leaders, I believe this is important for us to lead by example.
What do you hope the mentees will take away from their experience in this program? When women support one another, great things happen both personally and professionally
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Erin Spyrka Education Coordinator Louisville Metro EMS
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Can you share any specific skills or expertise that you are excited to share with the mentees? I am a strong, organized leader that has always practiced servant leadership, putting my employees first. I have learned many lessions about working with weak leadership and leading from the middle, which is an often forgotten skill set.
What do you hope the mentees will take away from their experience in this program? I hope that the mentees gain a network of strong female leadership as well as skills that they will take to their positions to ensure that strong women continue to thrive in our professions in the coming years.
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Melissa Stuive Program Director Del Mar EMS |
What do you hope to gain from the WiES Mentorship Program? Teaching others to be able to take my spot and motive those who think they cannot achieve further.
How do you plan to inspire and empower the mentees to reach their full potential? Encourage them to lead. Build confidence and teach how to work with those dominant personalities.
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Brooke Taylor Chief Coastal Health Systems of Brevard |
I have been blessed to have fantastic mentors over my 30+ years in EMS. However, there have been many times that I wished there was just one female in leadership that I could turn too. The WiES program makes me so excited and I wanted to support those who could use a listening ear, a guiding perspective and/or an encouraging word to keep growing as an individual leader in the incredible field of EMS!
I began my career as a volunteer First Responder. I have served both paid and volunteer agencies. I have worked at an ambulance company with ONE truck and at companies with hundreds of units. I have gained knowledge and certifications as an EMT, Paramedic, Critical Care Paramedic and Flight Paramedic. I have taught EMT Classes, Paramedic Classes, ACLS, PALS, BCLS and many other medical topics through the years. I have served in Field Operations, Clinical Education, Dispatch(Communications), Operations Management and as a Chief Operating Officer and EMS Chief/CEO/President.
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Danielle Thomas Chief Operating Officer LifeLine EMS |
What motivated you to become a mentor in this program? We often say "if we only knew then we what we know now".... I wanted to pay it forward in a meaningful way that adds value to others. I'm grateful for those who invested time in me, and appreciate the opportunity to assist in the development of the next generation of EMS leaders.
How do you plan to inspire and empower the mentees to reach their full potential? Much of what we do is a choice. Inspiration can come from many sources but motivation must come from within. Sharing, teaching, brainstorming, and empowering women leaders to do better tomorrow than they did today is achievable and impactful to their community. Progress and development allows each mentee to feel success; combine that with passion, and we have a gamechanger in EMS.
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Helen Tripp MIH Program Manager Durham County EMS |
How do you plan to inspire and empower the mentees to reach their full potential? Through listening, coaching, and teaching where needed. I will help them see their personal value and encourage them to reach beyond what they believe they can achieve.
What do you hope the mentees will take away from their experience in this program? Belief in themselves. Greater strength to meet their challenges. An improved outlook for their potential.
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Brandi Voigt Director, Quality and Patient Safety UChicago Medicine |
Can you share any specific skills or expertise that you are excited to share with the mentees? How to set goals for yourself, holding accountability and being empowered to accomplish whatever they set out to do!
How do you plan to inspire and empower the mentees to reach their full potential? By being open and honest, sharing failures and wins, and by listening to what they need and encouraging them to seek out ways to ensure they succeed.
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