Her Story
About Angela
Angela WestBrown is the Provider Service Director for Behavioral Health and Disability Services with the state of Georgia, based in Atlanta. She specializes in family funding and waiver support, drawing on more than 11 years of experience that includes prior work in IEP transition coaching and oversight of provider services. Angela holds a bachelor's degree in sociology and teacher education from Georgia State University, a master's degree from Clayton State University, and post-graduate studies in adult education. She is a Certified Person-Centered Thinking Coach and maintains active involvement with the California Sibling Leadership Network and Parent-to-Parent Georgia. Angela also supports Special Needs Siblings and donates yearly to the Cure Foundation. She attributes her professional success to her resilience and ability to maintain positive energy through challenges. In her work, Angela values faith, family legacy, and integrity, following the motto to do it right the first time or not at all. She advises young professionals entering the field to remain strategic while staying balanced in their empathy, and she notes that the greatest opportunity in her area lies in the shift toward individualized, person-centered services that place the individual in control.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Angela
01What do you attribute your success to?
My resilience has been key to my success. I think about the things I've been through and I still smile and maintain my positive energy. It's that bounce-back factor, that resilience that I have. Some people knock me down but I don't stay down. That's the thing.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life. Even if it gets hot or tough, you can still do this because you don't dread where you have to end up. When you see the families happy and safe and able to rest, knowing your hard work is going somewhere good, that's what matters.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be very strategic. Don't lose your heart. If you're empathic and can feel the pain and anxiety of the people you're helping, don't be too sensitive but be sensitive enough. Stay balanced in the middle so your sensitivity doesn't desensitize you or make you overly emotional. Just stay right in the middle.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is getting people through the maze of even just getting to the waiver supports and services they need, with so many moving pieces. But the biggest positive change is the access to diverse resources and supports that accommodate any child to live a successful life. It's not one-size-fits-all anymore; services are very tailored, individualized, and person-centered so the individual is in the driver's seat.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Faith is important, making sure that you're spiritually grounded. Family, making sure I leave a legacy for them. And integrity - do it right the first time around so you don't have to do it again. My motto is do it right, or don't do it at all.
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