Dear Empower Cherokee Friends and Family,
Many of you already know, however for those of you who do not, it is with bittersweet emotions that I am resigning from my role as Director of Empower Cherokee. The 7 years I have been here have been some of the most rewarding years of my career.
Empower Cherokee truly is a family, the people supported, their caregivers, employers, and supporting community members share a special bond born in a shared mission to assure that our community is inclusive of all people and all people have opportunity.
Thank you for allowing me the honor of serving this organization. I look forward to continuing a relationship in other capacities in the future. Empower Cherokee has been in my heart since I was 21 years old, fresh out of college, and embarked on my career in IDD services as a direct support staff. About 15 years later I returned to Empower Cherokee to lead a team who have become the most flexible, dynamic, supportive, caring, team oriented co-workers I have ever had the pleasure to work with. Coming to work at Empower every day is a joy and pleasure that I will miss dearly.
Empower Cherokee has served the needs of people with disabilities for over 50 years and I have no doubt it will do so for 50 more and beyond. It excites me to think of all the creative and innovative services Empower Cherokee will provide in the coming years. The employees of Empower Cherokee are committed to individualized services that meet the unique needs of the people who choose Empower Cherokee to provide services.
The board of Directors has appointed Amy Vogler, an administrative employee with 25 years of experience at Empower Cherokee, to the position of Interim Director. Amy has a great deal of knowledge about the organization and how it operates. In her temporary roll she will serve as "air traffic controller" directing stakeholders to the appropriate team member and serving as a point of contact between the organization and its Board of Directors. The board continues to work diligently to assure a smooth and seamless transition as they search for the next director, and I will work with the organization as necessary to assist in this process. Though my role is changing, my dedication to the success of Empower Cherokee, its mission, and the people it supports has not.
It has been a pleasure leading this team and the people we support to "live life as they define it", and now it is time for me to do the same.
Respectfully,
Heather Daily
Exiting Executive Director
Empower Cherokee
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Thanks for the work you have done on behalf of our son Taylor and the support you have provided for all of the clients at Empower Cherokee. Best of luck in your next adventure!
Sorry to see you go but we know you will be back for visits i hope you have fun in your new adventures and hope we get someone that takes your place that is as great and caring as you Thank you for all your hard work Mindy Davis
I’m sad to see you go but very excited for you and your new chapter in life! Thank you for everything you have done for us!
We will miss you! Good luck to you Heather ..its not good bye...you will be back to visit and we look forward to it. Thank you for all your support I truly enjoyed working with you.