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Happy Boss’s Day, Rachel Zink!

October 16, 2015 | By Annie Rogers

This blog’s for you, Rachel Zink—aka, Arts For Life’s executive director extraordinaire! Staff members offer special shout-outs this Boss’s Day, reflecting on why she’s the right woman for the job…

“It’s clear that Rachel is doing what she loves and living her passion in her work as executive director. Her dedication to each chapter is beyond impressive. As a new program director, I am so grateful for the constant support and encouragement that she provides. She is always available and ready to help brainstorm solutions, provide perspective, offer suggestions, or just listen. I’m not quite sure how she does it all! Her efforts are spread between four chapters across the state, each chapter with a full plate of programming, events, and fundraising. Yet she remains fully present and dedicated to each moment and each task at hand. Her support and reassurance has made a tremendous difference in my experience as a new program director.” — Sarah Ness, program director at Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte

“I am constantly in awe of Rachel’s level-headedness, her complete inability to be flustered. She is always poised and proactive, vigilant, compassionate, and always puts the needs of her stakeholders first. She leads by example. And she never, ever, ever forgets your birthday!” — Annie Rogers, program director at Mission Children’s Hospital in Asheville

“When I think of all of Rachel’s amazing attributes that are the keys to success of Arts For Life, the one that stands out the most to me is ‘support.’ Rachel is the glue that holds our chapters together. When you work for a small organization spread across a state, it would seem that the employees might not be as connected as some who have the benefit of working together in the same location every day. From weekly calls between program directors to a once-monthly, in-person meeting over coffee, she has connected each of us and encouraged a tremendously strong support system. One of the keys to being supportive is being intentional and appreciative, and Rachel does both naturally. We can always count on Rachel to be open, calm, and thoughtful. She has made me a stronger and more confident person, and I am grateful for the growth I’ve made as a result of her superior management skills.” — Betsey McLawhorn, program director at Brenner Children’s Hospital in Winston-Salem

“Great leaders know how to inspire, how to encourage, and how to support their teams. Great leaders know that there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ mold when it comes to running a business, or company, or nonprofit. Great leaders are passionate not only about the cause, but about the people behind the cause. Above everything, great leaders are great listeners. We love Rachel because she is all these things. Happy Bosses Day to the compassionate, caring, and pretty darn funny head of the Arts For Life family!” — Mary Margaret Fulk, program director at Duke Children’s Hospital & Health Center in Durham