Her Story
About Jenifer
Jenifer Finnemore serves as Program Manager at Fidelity Adult Care, an agency providing residential services for individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities. In this role, she oversees seven homes and is responsible for staffing, treatment planning, medication compliance, regulatory requirements, and promoting independent living skills and decision-making. With nearly 20 years of experience in social services, Finnemore brings extensive hands-on expertise as a Certified Residential Medication Aide (CRMA), Direct Support Professional (DSP), and Behavioral Health Professional (BHP), along with specialized training in dual diagnoses and reportable events. She graduated from Heartland Christian School and attended New Brunswick Bible Institute.
Throughout her career, Finnemore has developed a leadership philosophy focused on empowering both the individuals she supports and the staff who serve them. Her approach has been influenced by mentors such as John Rollins, who taught her the importance of being a leader rather than simply a boss and empowering people to succeed, and Deb Smith, who emphasized the importance of treating every individual with dignity and respect. She also credits her parents with instilling in her a strong work ethic, compassion, and genuine concern for others. These foundational values continue to shape her approach to person-centered care, staff development, accountability, and quality service delivery.
Finnemore is passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of others and believes that truly fulfilling work goes beyond earning a paycheck. She is motivated by helping individuals achieve greater independence, develop confidence, and experience meaningful progress in their lives. She remains actively involved in autism awareness fundraising and is inspired by the positive outcomes she sees among the people she supports. Her dedication to advocacy, community inclusion, and compassionate care reflects a career committed to empowering individuals, strengthening teams, and helping others reach their full potential.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jenifer
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the compassion and sense of caring for others that my parents instilled in me. Making a meaningful difference is important to me, and I need to know that my work has a positive impact beyond simply earning a paycheck. The rewards I receive through helping others, creating positive outcomes, and seeing the difference I can make are what continue to motivate and inspire me throughout my career.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received has come from the mentors and role models who shaped my leadership philosophy. In my first management position in food service, my mentor, John Rollins of Boston Concessions Group at Sugarloaf, taught me the importance of managing people with empathy and being a true leader rather than simply a boss. He showed me how empowering people to succeed can bring out their best. My father instilled in me a strong work ethic and the importance of genuinely caring about others, while Deb Smith at OHI taught me the lasting value of treating every person with dignity and respect. These lessons continue to guide how I lead, support, and work with others throughout my career.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to do it for the right reasons. This is a field centered on helping people, and while the financial rewards may not always be significant, the personal and professional fulfillment can be incredibly meaningful when you genuinely care about making a difference. Women often bring a natural sense of compassion and nurturing to their work, but effective support is not about doing everything for others it is about empowering people, building their confidence, and teaching them the skills they need to succeed independently.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in healthcare is maintaining a healthy balance while working in such a demanding and important field. It is essential to establish boundaries, use the on-call system rather than feeling obligated to be available at all times, and make time for yourself and your family. Taking vacation time, getting adequate rest, and intentionally stepping away to recharge are critical to preventing burnout and sustaining the energy and compassion needed to care for others effectively.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are compassion, purpose, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. I cannot simply do a job for a paycheck; I need to know that my work has a positive impact. Seeing the progress and positive changes in the people I support is deeply rewarding and continues to motivate me, both personally and professionally.
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