Dare to Dream in Yourself

Ada Baldwin, Director of Environmental Services at North Carolina State University (NCSU), Raleigh, North Carolina, believes her path to leadership was created when someone believed in her. Baldwin started in the institutional cleaning industry as an administrative assistant. Her supervisor, the Assistant Director of Facility Services, saw her potential and took her under his wing, unbeknownst to Baldwin herself.  

“I didn't realize he was coaching or mentoring me,” says Baldwin. “I thought he was giving me extra assignments to take some of the work off his plate. He believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. He saw the potential within me. I was a mom and wife trying to care of my family and do what moms do.”  

With his guidance and her drive, Baldwin was promoted to Assistant Director of Facilities Services at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in just two years. During this time, she became an active member of the International Executive Housekeeping Association, later rebranded into the Indoor Environmental Healthcare and Hospitality Association (IEHA). Baldwin made the most of her membership by serving on committees, writing articles for industry magazines, and speaking at workshops. 

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Balwin says the promotion came at “the most challenging time in [her] personal life.” Her mentor, however, continued to push and support her. “He kept leading, guiding, encouraging, and inspiring me to never give up or quit,” she reflects.  

Her career continued to flourish. She won the position of District Director of the Mid-Atlantic Region of IEHA; became a member of the facilities managers branch of APPA, an educational facilities organization; and was eventually appointed as the first African American President for the North Carolina chapter of APPA (NCAPPA).   

“A mentor, coach, and leader helped carve the space for me,” shares Baldwin, “but I was the one who took a leap of faith, dared to dream, and believed in myself. I have never looked back.” 

After 12 years as an Assistant Director, Baldwin was promoted to Director of University Housekeeping and Pest Management at NCSU. During her tenure, she has served on sustainability councils, was nominated for the Equity for Women Awards, and was the guest speaker at the Sisterhood Dinner by the Council on the Status of Women.   

One of her greatest achievements, Baldwin recalls, was when their department received Green Seal Certification in 2019. They were the first university in North Carolina and the sixth in the nation to be recognized.  

“I was able to give back to our staff what was once given to me,” she shares. “Dreams do come true; you only have to believe and work to achieve them. Earning this certification enabled me to motivate our staff and show them that they can achieve goals as a team: united, inspired, encouraged, supported, valued, and appreciated.”  

Baldwin advises other women looking to break into high level positions in the industry to find a mentor and one day become one themselves. She adds that they must listen constantly, become a life-long learner, believe in themselves, and find their voice.  

“Step out and find out,” she shares. “Take a chance on you!”  

Women, Baldwin says, bring emotional intelligence, empathy, vision, leadership, and strategic thinking skills to the industry. She has found herself in a position to help bring other women up with her, utilizing some of those skills herself.  

“I am poised to make a change while uplifting those around me by listening, encouraging, and providing tools and resources to help uplift, support, and carve their path to leadership,” Baldwin says.  

previous page of this article:
Create Change Through Community

next page of this article:
Leading With Humility and Perseverance