08/23/2026
✨ **Staff Spotlight: Meet Jen, our Business Manager!** ✨
We’re excited to feature our very own Jen and share her inspiring journey at Chartwell Willow. From beginning her practicum with us at just 19 years old to becoming our Business Manager today, Jen’s story is a wonderful reminder of what can happen when you continue to learn, grow and *bet on yourself.* 💙
Jen was recently featured in Chartwell’s *Shoulder Tap Series*, which highlights the growth, development and career journeys of our team members.
*BET ON YOURSELF*
"When I was 19, I started my practicum as a Health Care Aide at Chartwell Willow. I had planned to use it as a stepping stone toward nursing, but my plans changed the moment I walked through the doors. I loved getting to know the residents and their families, and I knew this was where I wanted to build my career.
After graduating, I was hired right away and spent the next nine years working in the long-term care unit. I took every shift I could and was always looking for ways to help. When COVID-19 hit, our team stepped up for each other in incredible ways, and that experience reinforced just how much this community meant to me.
As my career grew, so did my curiosity. I completed a business administration certificate through night school while continuing to work, and I started taking on new responsibilities in Assisted Living and at the front desk. I also helped other departments when needed. Every role taught me something new and helped me understand what it takes to keep a residence running.
When the Office Manager position first became available, my General Manager, Niki Tupper, encouraged me to apply. I wasn't ready. I saw myself as "just a Care Aide" and didn't think I was qualified. I applied anyway, and I wasn't selected.
Instead of giving up, I decided to prepare for the next opportunity. I completed online learning, asked questions, and sought feedback from my leaders. Michelle Zavaglia, the Lifestyle and Programs Manager, became a trusted sounding board and one of my biggest cheerleaders. When the role became available again six months later, I stepped in to provide temporary coverage and applied once more. This time, I was ready—and I was successful.
Today, I'm proud to be the Business Manager at Chartwell Willow. One of my favourite parts of the role is fostering an environment where people feel supported and appreciated. Having worked in so many different roles, I understand the challenges our teams face, and I hope that helps me lead with empathy and build trust.
If I could offer one piece of advice, it would be this: *bet on yourself.* Don't let self-doubt stop you from progressing. Even if you're not successful the first time, keep learning, keep growing and keep believing in what you're capable of. You never know where that next opportunity might take you." 💙
