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In this episode of "Failing to Success," we're introduced to Joy Sweeney, CEO of Woodhaven, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals with intellectual, developmental, and neurodivergent abilities. Celebrating its 60th anniversary, Woodhaven has made a significant impact with an annual revenue of around $20 million and a dedicated team of 300 employees. Under Joy's leadership, the organization emphasizes a culture of gratitude, leveraging her unique leadership style to inspire and motivate both staff and the individuals they serve. Woodhaven's commitment to expansion and utilization of technology presents an exciting future for providing support and services to a broader audience. Joy's journey to CEO, driven by personal loss and a calling to serve, highlights the transformative power of aligning one's values with their professional path.
Woodhaven: https://www.woodhaventeam.org/
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:15 Company Stats
00:40 Celebrating 60 Years of Service and Joy's Journey to CEO
02:34 Joy's Leadership Philosophy and Woodhaven's Mission
07:17 Expanding Services and Embracing Technology
08:51 A Day in the Life of CEO Joy Sweeney
12:29 How to Support Woodhaven's Initiatives
Woodhaven, Nonprofit Organization, Community Service, Leadership in Nonprofits, Intellectual Disabilities, Developmental Disabilities, Neurodiversity, Autism Support Services, Empowerment, Inclusion, Missouri Nonprofits, Serving Neurodivergent Populations, Technology for Inclusion, Joy Sweeney, Disability Support, Expanding Services, Digital Outreach, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Neurodivergent Abilities, Guardianship Services, Foster Care Support, Employee Recognition, Long-Term Service
Woodhaven is an organization that has been serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities for 60 years. They focus on providing quality of life, independence, and the opportunity for individuals to live with dignity and contribute to their communities.
Joy Sweeney is the CEO of Woodhaven. She joined the organization after being recruited back to Missouri, where she had lived for about 20 years before working in Alexandria, Virginia. With a background in nonprofit leadership and strategic planning, Joy brings a vision of inspiration, motivation, acceptance, generosity, enthusiasm, spirituality, and thankfulness to Woodhaven.
Woodhaven has an annual revenue of approximately 20 million and employs 300 people. They recently celebrated their 60th anniversary and have been recognized for their employees' long-term service, including one employee with 35 years at the organization.
Joy's leadership philosophy is built on inspiration, motivation, acceptance, generosity, enthusiasm, spirituality, and thankfulness. She aims to use these principles to support the community, the individuals served by Woodhaven, and the staff, ensuring that they are thriving.
A day in the life of Joy Sweeney is varied and busy. It can include engaging with individuals served by Woodhaven, participating in community events, managing operational aspects of the organization, and strategizing for future growth and service expansion. Despite the demands, she finds the role exhilarating and fulfilling.
