Influential Woman · Healthcare and Literature
Ann Malave
Personal Assistant, Property Manager, Events Planner, Author, --
Beverly Hills, FL
Her Story
About Ann
I worked 37 years in healthcare as an administrator in skilled nursing homes and assisted living facilities. I was always the supervisor, the person who led the pack. In 2020, my body said no and I became physically disabled. I had to walk away from everything I knew. At 62 years old, I had to reinvent myself, which felt late in life but it's never too late. I reached out to Hope Services, an organization that helps individuals with intellectual and physical challenges find job placement in the workforce. I had worked with them years ago to help place folks in my community when I was an administrator. Through them, I met Sharif Smith, who owns an assisted living facility and the French Chateau of Odessa. She gave me a chance despite my physical limitations. I just work a little slower, walk a little slower, but it's never a limitation - I figure out how to do it. She took me under her wing, gave me a great job, and worked within my challenges to help me continue to grow and be active in the workforce. Now I wear many hats - property manager, events planner, personal assistant. She allows me to be independent, to work within my parameters. Some days my body says no, but she gives me the ability to just be independent. I clock in whatever time I want, do my tasks, and let her know when items are complete. Then I work for her son doing cold calling for their new assisted living app. I'm also a published author writing under two pen names. As Anna Mil Silvio, I write the Sexual Escape Artist Series - graphic romance novels. The name pays homage to my parents - my mother Carmela who everyone called Millie, and my father Silvio. As Carmela Sylvia, I write children's books including 'A Loveliness of Lady Books' and 'The Adventures of Critzel and River' about twin manatees, since I live 10 minutes from Crystal River. All my children's books are dedicated to my daughter and have themes about friendship, kindness, and sharing. I just released 'Becoming Me Again,' my autobiography about my journey with disability. My day is full all day long, 7 days a week, and I like it that way. I also help my partner with his social media since he's an artist. Work is my happy place - I love to work and never really clock out.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ann
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to never giving up. When my body became disabled in 2020, I had a moment where I thought I could simply go to an assisted living, go to a nursing home, just give up. That thought was in my head for a little bit, but then I realized - no, you are a spitfire, you are a wildfire, you need to just push through this and then help somebody. Because at the end of the day, if we can't help each other, what's the point? If you have knowledge, you should share knowledge. If someone needs your help, truly needs your help, you should help them. I have so much knowledge when it comes to healthcare, and still today people will call me and ask questions - can you help me with Medicaid, Medicare, how do I take care of this? I still stop and I help, because I should. Because I would want the same respect, the same kindness shown to me, or if it was my child, I would want somebody to help her. We should always pay it forward. I believe that. We should help each other. I've worked so hard my entire life, and the last 5 years have been the most challenging but yet so rewarding because I do touch lives. Whatever challenge you're facing, you can do it. If I can do it, you can do it. You have to have a lot of courage when you have a body that almost defies you, that just does what it wants to do, but it doesn't make me any less of a person. I embrace life and say bring it on. People should never give up - you should NEVER give up. If I can reinvent myself at 62, anybody can, because you never know when life's going to change.
02What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important values to me are helping others and never giving up. I believe that if you have knowledge, you should share knowledge. If someone needs your help, truly needs your help, you should help them. I would want the same respect, the same kindness shown to me or to my child. We should always pay it forward - we should help each other. That would make the world a better place. I can't not try to help someone - it's automatic. My partner always says I have the biggest heart he's ever met, that he's never met somebody so nice. That golden heart just comes out automatically. I'm the person who stops to pick up a stray animal, or if somebody needs something on the side of the road, I will run and get you lunch and give you $5 - that's all I can afford, but I'm that person and I'm just not going to change. It is who I am. I don't want to be that other person. I like who I am. At the end of the day, if we can't help each other, if I can help someone, that's what carried me through 37 years working with people. I get the pleasure of knowing somebody is okay, that I've helped someone. I don't need awards or recognition - I just want to do it because it helps someone, and it does make my heart feel good. I want to leave my mark on this world by helping others and changing lives. I want someone to look at me and say, you know what, I'm just like her, I've had all these challenges and it's such a struggle, but don't give up. I hope I can touch somebody's life that's ready to give up and help them say, nope, this is not it, fight harder, you can do it, reach out to people because there are people out there that will help you.
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