Shanella's Story
Working as an Employee Support Specialist (ESS) allows Shanella to support even more staff and homes, focusing on professional development and creating a positive, growth-oriented work environment—ultimately enhancing the care clients receive.
Looking back, Shanella emphasizes how much opportunity HIL offers for growth—something not all workplaces provide. She values the culture of promoting from within and the sense of community that fuels success, saying, “It takes a village.”
Shanella has always been passionate about helping others succeed. From the moment she interviewed at Homes for Independent Living (HIL), A MyPath Company, in 2014 she knew it was a place where she could make a meaningful impact.
She began her journey as a Direct Support Professional (DSP), where her compassion and dedication stood out. Her enthusiasm for training new staff and supporting her team naturally led to a promotion as a Direct Support Supervisor (DSS) at a Waukesha location. In that role, Shanella deepened her commitment to shaping strong, capable DSPs and ensuring quality care for clients.
In February 2025, she’s stepped into a new role as an Employee Support Specialist (ESS) in Waukesha. This position allows her to support even more staff and homes, focusing on professional development and creating a positive, growth-oriented work environment—ultimately enhancing the care clients receive.
Shanella fondly recalls her first week at HIL, learning client routines, preferences, and important medical procedures like G-tube and catheter use. She felt proud to be trained properly and now wants others to experience that same supportive environment.
Looking back, Shanella emphasizes how much opportunity HIL offers for growth—something not all workplaces provide. She values the culture of promoting from within and the sense of community that fuels success, saying, “It takes a village.” She continues to learn from her team daily and feels grateful that leadership recognized her potential. To her, the ESS role feels tailor-made—a chance to truly showcase her skills and support others in doing the same.
Find your perfect fit
We know how important it is to find a workplace that fits you — from coworkers that you connect with to doing work that fills your heart and soul. It’s why we encourage people to explore their options. We have 10 MyPath companies and 150 locations that allow you to find the place that perfectly fits you.
Working at a MyPath Company
This culture of ownership goes beyond stock. As an employee owner, you can expect transparency, respect and appreciation. If you are called to help others and be part of something bigger, MyPath can help you explore opportunities throughout its many organizations.
