We started our employee highlight segment with our founder and CEO, DeeAnn Antonini. It only made sense to move to her right hand woman, Stacey Foster, for this next segment. Stacey is our Chief of Operations and it would not be putting things lightly by saying she is the wizard behind the curtain. She is often behind the scenes ensuring that all aspects of the business run smoothly, operate effectively and ultimately live up to the service standards that JIM Enterprises is all about. Having been with the organization the longest, she is a wealth of knowledge, the epitome of organization and a master list maker. (Ask her about her seasonal notepads and you’ll understand the extent of her lists). Let’s take a minute to learn how she juggles it all with a smile on her face.
How do you align your operational goals with the organization’s overall mission and long-term objectives?
I have been fortunate to be a part of the JIM Enterprises team for almost 15 years. Understanding and truly believing in JIM Enterprises’ mission and core values, ensures that operational goals support the broader vision of the company. I believe in clear communication with staff and stakeholders, developing detailed action plans for each operational goal and encouraging collaboration with my colleagues to ensure that everyone is working towards common objectives. One thing I have learned about this industry is that it is “predictably unpredictable “, so being able to adjust operational goals and strategies based on changing circumstances, market conditions, or organizational priorities is crucial to operational success.
How do you establish and maintain strong relationships with the school districts you work with?
At JIM Enterprises, we value and encourage collaboration and open communication with everyone we work with. We foster transparent and regular communication. We take the time to understand each school district’s needs, specific goals, challenges, and priorities. Our ongoing collaborative efforts allow us to align the school district, as well as our goals. Being approachable, consistent, and reliable, are key priorities for us to build and sustain strong, productive relationships with school districts.
How do you tailor your services to meet the unique needs of both students and parents, especially in diverse or underserved communities?
We recognize that each school district we work with is unique. We make it a priority to actively engage with the school district’s community to understand its specific needs, challenges, and cultural dynamics. In both our student and parent programs, we tailor our services by community engagement, flexible programing, collaboration with local organizations and personalized support. Investing ourselves in the communities we work with allows our company to effectively support the diverse needs of students and parents.
How do you fill your cup so you’re able to fill the cups of others in the communities we serve?
This is such an important task! Filling your own cup, so you can effectively serve and support others in your household, workplace, and community, involves prioritizing self-care, personal growth, and maintaining a healthy balance in various aspects of your life. One of my daily nonnegotiable self-care practices is incorporating exercise in my daily routine. Every day I make it a priority to exercise, whether that’s jumping on my Peloton, playing sports with my kids, or taking my dog on a long walk. Being active supports my mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It recharges my energy and realigns my focus. The concept of filling your cup should not be seen as selfish. Taking care of yourself and doing what fills your cup, is essential for sustainable and meaningful service to others!
Thank you, Stacey, for sharing your experiences and knowledge. We are still perplexed at how you do it all, but we do believe that the limited sleep has a lot to do with everything you manage to squeeze into a day! Thank you for helping us pivot on a daily basis and providing us never-ending support.
