Andrea Vasquez is Wayside Recovery Center’s new Chief Operations Officer (COO).
Learn more about her work in the Q+A below:
Tell us about your background. What expertise do you bring to Wayside?
For as long as I can remember, I have always had a passion for joining with others and together creating meaningful understandings of life experiences, as well as brainstorming pathways forward to live a happy and balanced life. In my undergraduate and graduate work, I studied Psychology, Social Work and Spanish, which allowed me to truly develop a genuine understanding of others from a biological, psychological, cultural, and social lens. My studies allowed me to live in other cultures, learn another language, as well as interface locally through providing direct care services in group homes, women shelters, and outpatient clinics for women and children.
For the past 22 years, I have worked at all levels of an organization within the behavioral health field. As a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, I have had the privilege of working in clinical as well as leadership roles. In these 22 years, I have learned, through many trials and tribulations, how to be an effective therapist, a genuine colleague, a leader with integrity, an executer, an includer, a crucial conversations educator, as well as a champion for the organization, its employees, as well as its clients and their families. I have also learned, the importance of balancing my career with being a strong spouse and mother. Through my journey, I believe I can support those who seek partnership in stabilizing and advancing organizations.
What opportunities in the organization’s future are you most excited about?
I was most drawn to the mission of Wayside. Knowing we support women and their families is a great motivator to stay focused and keep moving forward to support all operations of the organization, even when times become tough and daunting. Knowing what we do matters really hits home. I look forward to leading the implementation of a more sound and efficient Electronic Health Record as well as Billing Department. I also look forward to partnering with other employees to improve education and implementation of policies and procedures, as well as streams of communication and employee engagement.
“Knowing that we are able to provide comfort, support and hope for a healthier and happier future is what stays with me and allows me to stay focused, driven, yet compassionate in my work. “
What motivates you to support women, children and families at Wayside and beyond?
Being a woman and a mother, it is easy to identify with our mission and our clients. Knowing that we are able to provide comfort, support and hope for a healthier and happier future is what stays with me and allows me to stay focused, driven, yet compassionate in my work. At Wayside, I am surrounded by caring and dedicated individuals, and I feel very lucky to share this space with all of them.