Policy & Practice | Summer 2023

staff spotlight

Name: Alex Clermont Title: Senior Content Writer Time at APHSA: I joined APHSA in September 2022. Priorities at APHSA: I work to produce communications that engage

I’ve focused on crafting narratives that support brand voice and are always based on an empathetic understanding of the audience. My specific duties ranged from managing social media accounts, producing marketing deliverables (emails, video scripts, press releases), and collaborating on both long- and short-term marketing strategies. In addition, I’ve been a magazine editor and an English as a Second Language teacher. I’m also an author with several published short stories and a self-published novel. What I Can Do for Our Members: I can provide assistance in producing content for various print and online platforms. That assistance can be brainstorming the most appropriate communication method, drafting the initial project, or simply providing insight to enhance a final product. Best Way to Reach Me: I can be reached via email at aclermont@aphsa.org. When Not Working: I enjoy spending time with my wife and kids (18-month-old twin boys and a 15-year-old stepdaughter). I also love reading, cooking, and traveling. Motto to Live By: The point of life is to live. What I Can Do for Our Members: My experience as a direct service staff and coach within a public human services agency means that I truly “get it.” When working with me, my strengths of Activator, Communication, Woo, Learner, and Individualization help me to understand the unique needs and strengths of your organization, informing a co-created plan that snowballs your efforts into tangible change. Best Way to Reach Me: I can be reached via email at ahenry@aphsa.org. When Not Working: My husband and I live in Colorado Springs, CO where we love our friends and explore the mountains by hiking, camping, biking, and white-water rafting. Travel is my love language, so I come alive exploring new places and learning about different cultures. I love trying new foods, completing house projects, viewing the arts, taking classes, and watching live comedy. Motto to Live By: Every day, new words resonate. But I always remember: It won’t go exactly as I plan; it will be better. cross-functionally to impact retention, and strengthened resiliency in staff and teams.

and educate our members, partners, and the world outside the human services sector. This means I have a hand in shaping our voice and the language used in our blog, The Catalyst , This Week in Washington newsletter, and our many other publications. I also work with the wider communica tions team to utilize available technologies and streamline the creation process so that we are more effective and effi cient in how we deliver our communications. Ultimately, my goal is to drive forward the mission of our members by enhancing the reach and accessibility of their message. Life Before APHSA: Before joining APHSA, I worked with several private-sector companies—from startups to transnational corporations—as a copywriter and commu nications lead. Working in this area for more than a decade,

Name: Allegra Henry Title: Organizational Effectiveness (OE) Consultant Time at APHSA: I joined APHSA in November 2022. Priorities at APHSA: I am part

of the OE Technical Assistance Team. Those are descriptive words to say that I get to work with our members on specific projects regarding change management, organizational culture, and continuous quality improvement efforts. Life Before APHSA: Prior to joining APHSA, I took a sabbatical for 7 months. After more than 10 years in the child welfare sector, I let my body and soul exhale. That time was transformative and enabled me to come back to our sector with a renewed perspective and a full tank. Previously, I had worked in residential treatment, anti-trafficking, child pro tective services, and children’s advocacy. Although I deeply love working with families, I am most proud of my work as an Agency Coach through our local Department of Human Services. I helped transform an intake training program into an agency-wide coaching program, where I coached staff and teams toward their goals and leadership skills, collaborated

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