National Association of Professional Women Inducts Andrea Riley, Unit Manager, South Mississippi Regional Center, Into its VIP Professional Woman of the Year Circle
Garden City, NY (PRWEB) September 08, 2015 -- The National Association of Professional Women (NAPW) honors Andrea Riley as a 2015-2016 inductee into its VIP Woman of the Year Circle. She is recognized with this prestigious distinction for leadership in the mental health field. NAPW is the nation’s leading networking organization exclusively for professional women, boasting more than 700,000 members and over 200 operating Local Chapters.
“I’m pleased to honor Andrea with our Woman of the Year Award,” said NAPW President Star Jones. “She and her company are making great strides in the mental health field.”
Andrea Riley began her journey in the mental health field as a Direct Care Worker at South Mississippi Regional Center (SMRC), which provides comprehensive individualized service options to the intellectually and developmentally disabled.
“Growing up, I had cousins and classmates who had intellectual and developmental disabilities, so I developed a great deal of empathy and compassion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said Ms. Riley. “I have always been told my compassion for others draws people to me and it is no different with those we serve at SMRC.”
In April 2015, Ms. Riley took on the role of Unit Manager and currently oversees the daily operation and active treatment provided to those in her unit. Prior to this role, she served as the Director of White Harbor Industries, a vocational training and employment site for individuals residing on SMRC’s main campus.
Ms. Riley’s outstanding dedication and ability to effectively listen and communicate have aided countless people to achieve increased levels of independence and quality of life. Her future goals include continuing to learn and grow in the field she loves while planting the seeds and gaining the knowledge for the development of her own organization.
“I hope to launch a nonprofit, “Definition of Me,” within the next year. It will be geared toward helping children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities reach their educational goals from primary education to graduate school through educational support outside of the classroom!” she said.
Awards & Accomplishments: Master’s, American Military University, Public Administration / Human Resources; Master’s Certification, American Military University, Organizational Management; Member of MS Air National Guard; Member of West Virginia Iota Chapter PI Gamma Mu International Honor Society’s Advisory Committee, NAPW MS Gulf Coast Chapter President
About NAPW
NAPW’s mission is to provide an exclusive, highly advanced networking forum to successful women executives, professionals and entrepreneurs where they can aspire, connect and achieve. Through innovative resources, unique tools and progressive benefits, professional women interact, exchange ideas, advance their knowledge and empower each other.
Lisa Mancuso, NAPW, +1 (516) 453-6111, [email protected]
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