Home Care Supervisor Dana Conrad’s path to JFS Richmond was anything but traditional.
“I chose JFS, initially, because the person who did my interview, who is now my boss, I really liked her,” Conrad said. “Knowing that she came from the business-side, I was wanting to learn more, which I have. Also, the fact that it is a nonprofit and I had never worked in one before coming from corporate.”
What she has since learned is that JFS’ reputation often travels quietly.
“I now know that’s actually our secret weapon is that a lot of people hear about us through word of mouth,” she said. “It’s not advertising. We don’t often do a billboard or anything of that nature.”
Before entering Home Care, Conrad built her career in retail. Starting at 16, she rose through the ranks to become an area sales manager, general manager and operations manager.
After 13 years as a stay-at-home mom, she reentered the workforce at Care South, stepping into Medicaid and Home Care without prior experience.
When life required another transition and it was time to return to work once more, she found her way to JFS Richmond and nonprofit work.
“I was very interested in working for a nonprofit because I never had done that before and I have found it to be much more rewarding than working corporate,” she said.
Today, Conrad pairs her years of business experience with a renewed sense of mission, showing that growth doesn’t mean starting over, but building forward.
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