Her Story
About Felicia
I started my career path in a nursing home as a nursing assistant and did hair for years before transitioning into this field. I have been with Advantage Behavioral Health for 11 years, beginning as a centralized scheduler before moving into IDD as an operations manager. For the past 3 years, I have served as a site supervisor, focusing on person-centered planning to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities work toward their lifelong goals. I recently earned my master's in business administration with a healthcare management concentration from Columbia Southern University in 2024, building on my bachelor's from Walden University. I am passionate about this work because of personal family experience with IDD and believe in supporting people to reach their full potential regardless of disabilities.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Felicia
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being open-minded, to actually being guided by prayer, and listening to the individuals and what they want to do. For example, some individuals have been talking about wanting to go on a cruise, so we're trying to figure out how to make that happen by finding grants.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is that as long as you're learning, you're growing. I instill that in my children too. Just continue to learn. As you continue to learn, you continue to grow. You don't have to stay within one thing either. You can branch out.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say keep growing, just keep learning, learn as much as you possibly can. Get involved with as many of your individuals as you possibly can. Learn from them and then let that direct your path, because there's so many of our individuals that... they think they can't learn or they're incapable of what they desire. You're there to guide to help them fulfill their lifelong goals.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges are financial, especially helping individuals get their needs met with limited waivers and funding. Transportation for community access is limited because of funding. Another challenge is growth - our programs are limited in the opportunities they have to grow because of funding again. Opportunities for growth within the IDD world are limited; I'm at the point where the next step would be director or stay as site supervisor.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are faith, being an individual - recognizing that every person has their own individual aspects - and integrity, always acting in integrity.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.