Servant Leadership Snapshot
Devereux’s talented and hard-working team members lead to serve, while inspiring others to learn and grow. Our “Servant Leadership Snapshot” series shines a light on exemplary servant leaders across our organization who empower all those around them to be their best selves. Look below to read features written by these compassionate collaborators as they help their teams, programs, departments and centers reach even greater heights through Servant Leadership.
Brenda Vazquez, Director of Development 
Center/office location: Devereux Georgia - Kennesaw
Length of service: August 2020
How do you embed an inclusive, Servant Leadership mindset into your daily processes?
I am always out and about on campus, whether it's going to the cafeteria each day, talking with our orientation classes, participating in activities with the individuals we serve or getting to know staff members. I like to listen to what is being said and what is being done, and also what is NOT being said and done. I look for needs, and work with others to fill them. If I find a need, I am laser focused until it's filled.
How do you inspire others to embrace Servant Leadership practices?
I try to promote a positive vibe around campus, and remain mission focused. I encourage our board members, community members and staff to always keep the individuals we serve at the forefront of their minds. I think the best way to inspire others is to demonstrate passion for our mission and ensure that passion is steady and consistent.
Share an example or story of how you demonstrated compassion or delivered quality customer service at your center.
During a Servant Leadership meeting, a team member mentioned that although we had birthday parties each month for our individuals, we didn't have anything set up to formally recognize them on their actual birthday. I always think about my own children and how I would want them to be treated. I reached out to a board member who owns three Nothing Bundt Cakes in the area, and she immediately agreed to provide a personal birthday cake for each of the individuals in our care. (We have the best board members!) Our development associate, Andria, purchases birthday cards and picks up the cakes each week, and our project manager, Dolly, created a birthday poster template. Now, when it's an individual's birthday, their therapist or another staff member escorts them to the Development Office, and we wish them “Happy birthday” and give them a cake and a poster for their room. We also hang a poster in the cafeteria to recognize them and encourage others to recognize them. If their birthday falls on a weekend, we give the cake and poster to campus supervisors who ensure they receive recognition on their birthday. It's just a simple way of helping our individuals feel special on their very special day.
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