Her Story
About Donita
Donita Snook is the Director of Client Relations at Synergy HomeCare in Williamsburg, Virginia, where she leads client relations, oversees scheduling operations, and ensures families receive dependable, personalized in-home care. A Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), she works closely with care teams to provide guidance on dementia care while addressing client concerns with compassion and professionalism. Her philosophy is rooted in treating every client with the same respect, dignity, and care she would want for her own family.
With nearly two decades of experience in the senior care industry, Donita has built a career spanning business development, sales, marketing, community outreach, and client relations. Before entering senior living and home care, she served as a medic in the U.S. Air Force, earning her Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) designation, and later worked in politics, education advocacy, and chamber of commerce leadership in Iowa. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Grand View University, following an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts from Des Moines Area Community College. Her transition into senior care was inspired by her grandmother's battle with Alzheimer's disease, motivating her to help families access compassionate, high-quality care.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Donita is an active community leader and volunteer. She is a member of the Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce, a graduate of the Hampton Citizen Police Academy, and a participant in the LEAD Williamsburg leadership program. She also volunteers with Liberty Live Church and has previously served on a sexual assault prevention board in Iowa. A first-generation college graduate, Donita credits her success to her determination, the support of trusted mentors, and a steadfast commitment to honesty, integrity, and service, values that continue to shape her leadership and dedication to improving the lives of seniors and their families.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Donita
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of surrounding myself with intelligent, supportive people and maintaining a strong personal drive to grow. As a first-generation college graduate, I was determined to create opportunities beyond the circumstances I grew up in. Earning my degree was a life-changing milestone that reinforced my belief that education is a powerful pathway to opportunity and lasting success.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is from my current owner, an Army veteran, who emphasizes work-life balance. He sets that tone and makes it okay to take a day off. That has been really good for me, to think about work-life balance, because I'm a little bit of a workaholic.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be the change you want to see. Because the industry's not perfect. My personal philosophy has always been that you treat our clients the way you would want your own grandmother treated. If I'm working in home care, would I be comfortable with this care provider taking care of my grandma? If you personalize it, you're automatically gonna do your very best. If you're in a care profession and if you just don't care, then you need to find a different career path.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
There's ample opportunity for young people that come into the career field. Medicine chronically has staffing challenges and a high burnout rate. Taking time for oneself is essential. There's a plethora of challenges that happened during COVID that drove a lot of people out of medicine. There's always opportunity for work because it's not something that can easily be automated. There's always gonna be a need for hands-on care.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty and integrity, being forthright in all of my business. I really appreciate people who are candid and operate in honesty. I can take no for an answer if I understand why. I try my best not to ever start with no, I try to start with how can we get to yes?
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