Who: Vanessa Pineda

When: May

Where: Miami

Why: I am excited to nominate Vanessa Pineda as March Employee of the Month! I worked with her this week in setting up my visits to Project Search and the City of Hialeah to see our Jobs program in action. She has impressed me from day one! She responded right away when I reached out to Martha and her staff, and was very organized, efficient, and professional in her communication and setting up the visit. Spending time with her yesterday at the City of Hialeah was so enjoyable; she is just so very pleasant. Her working relationship with Janet and Cindy at Project Search is great, and it's clear they respect and admire her ability, work ethic, and kindness. She knows and has a relationship with nearly every city employee in City Hall, and actively engages them in discussion about the interns and how they are doing in their roles. Most importantly, the jobs interns entirely look up to her; it's clear they want to do a good job not only for their bosses, but also for her. She has fostered in them a sense of pride, self-worth, and self-love that is exactly what we strive for in all of our programs with our participants. When she visits each of them while working, they just light up. She knows each one of them personally, asking questions about their families, friends, hobbies, and passions. She re-directs so that they are gaining valuable skill sets and learning, yet does so in such a kind and respectful way. The love of her work and the people with whom she works everyday just radiates from her.

Abby Harlan

Senior Director, Programs; Headquarters

Who: Vanessa Pineda

When: May

Where: Miami

Why: I am excited to nominate Vanessa Pineda as March Employee of the Month! I worked with her this week in setting up my visits to Project Search and the City of Hialeah to see our Jobs program in action. She has impressed me from day one! She responded right away when I reached out to Martha and her staff, and was very organized, efficient, and professional in her communication and setting up the visit. Spending time with her yesterday at the City of Hialeah was so enjoyable; she is just so very pleasant. Her working relationship with Janet and Cindy at Project Search is great, and it's clear they respect and admire her ability, work ethic, and kindness. She knows and has a relationship with nearly every city employee in City Hall, and actively engages them in discussion about the interns and how they are doing in their roles. Most importantly, the jobs interns entirely look up to her; it's clear they want to do a good job not only for their bosses, but also for her. She has fostered in them a sense of pride, self-worth, and self-love that is exactly what we strive for in all of our programs with our participants. When she visits each of them while working, they just light up. She knows each one of them personally, asking questions about their families, friends, hobbies, and passions. She re-directs so that they are gaining valuable skill sets and learning, yet does so in such a kind and respectful way. The love of her work and the people with whom she works everyday just radiates from her.

Abby Harlan

Senior Director, Programs; Headquarters