How she shines: As Supervisor of Custodial Services, I lead 250 employees with integrity, communication, and accountability. I mentor supervisors, promote collaboration, and have developed a comprehensive onboarding and training program for custodial staff. I hold degrees in Human Resources Management and Organizational Leadership, and serve on the ISSA Sustainability Committee, advancing professional growth and sustainable practices.
Years in the industry: 40 years
Job responsibilities: As Supervisor of Custodial Services, I provide leadership and operational oversight for a custodial workforce of approximately 250 employees serving a large public school district in Virginia, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality cleaning services across multiple facilities. My responsibilities include staffing and recruitment, employee development, performance management, budgeting, procurement of equipment and supplies, regulatory compliance, and training in safety and best practices. I work collaboratively with administrators and supervisors to support clean, healthy learning environments while fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and professional growth within the custodial profession.
Career path: My career path has been driven by a passion for leadership, service, and helping others succeed. I began my working career at Hardee's, where I started as a cashier and quickly advanced to Line Leader and Assistant Manager. While I enjoyed developing leadership skills, I realized that the fast-food industry was not my long-term career goal.
After briefly attending Hampton University as an Engineering major, I pursued training as a Certified Nursing Assistant. This led to positions as a Psychiatric Aide at Eastern State Hospital and a Behavior Counselor working with adolescents at Cumberland Hospital. These experiences strengthened my communication, problem-solving, and people-management skills.
My introduction to the cleaning industry came at The Arc of the Virginia Peninsula, where I was promoted within six months to Manager of Environmental Services. In that role, I managed approximately 100 individuals with severe disabilities, helping them develop work and life skills while supporting custodial operations in hospitals, churches, schools, and government facilities. Through NISH training and mentorship, I developed a strong foundation in custodial and facilities management and discovered a genuine passion for the industry.
That passion led me to Washington, D.C., where I served as Project Manager for custodial operations at the U.S. Capitol under an AbilityOne contract. I later returned to Virginia and continued my career in educational facilities, serving as Supervisor of Custodial Services for Gloucester County Public Schools and Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools. Additional leadership experience included serving as Project Manager at Eastern Virginia Medical School for Olympus Building Services and supporting operations at Christopher Newport University.
Today, I serve as Supervisor of Custodial Services for Newport News Public Schools, overseeing approximately 250 custodial employees in the city where I live. Throughout my journey, I have remained committed to leadership, employee development, and creating clean, safe environments that support learning and community success.
Best advice received: The best career advice I have received is to be present. Not just physically present but fully engaged both internally and externally. This means being attentive, listening with intention, understanding the needs of those around me, and remaining focused on the task at hand. It also means being committed to continuous growth by expanding my knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs). This advice has guided my leadership approach, strengthened my relationships with colleagues and employees, and helped me remain open to learning and development throughout my career.
Fun fact: Something that may surprise people about me is that, despite appearing confident and composed, I still experience moments of self-doubt. There are many days when I reflect on my decisions and question whether I made the right choice or if I am truly giving my best. Those moments have taught me humility, self-awareness, and the importance of continuous growth. Rather than allowing doubt to hold me back, I use it as an opportunity to learn, improve, and remain committed to being the best leader, colleague, and person I can be.