These amazing people have some pretty interesting jobs, so we’re bringing you a fun peek into their work-world along with some of their personal facets. This series will be ongoing, so if you have anyone you’d like to nominate as a potential Spotlight feature, put it in the comments, or send us an email. Enjoy!
Spotlight on Elena Foshay
Elena is the director of Duluth’s Workforce Development Department
Monica Haynes, BBER director, is currently serving her third term on the Duluth Workforce Development Board and is the board’s secretary. The BBER values its partnership with the city’s Workforce Development Department in helping to strengthen and maintain the area’s economy.
What does a typical day look like in your job?
A typical day is primarily collaboration meetings with various individuals and work teams along with answering a lot of emails.
What do you like best about your current job?
The work we do has never been more important. We are helping people, helping businesses, and helping our community. It’s very fulfilling—particularly when we hear success stories of individuals graduating from school, getting jobs, and seeing a brighter outlook for themselves and their families.
What about your current job do you find most challenging?
There’s a lot that needs to be done right now. Broken systems are colliding to create some intractable problems that are really hard to fix. So, it’s a choice of knowing what we can and cannot do, what we have the power to change and what we don’t, and where to focus our energy. It’s also been tough keeping staff motivated through what’s been some challenging times.
If you could snap your fingers and solve any problem facing our community, what would it be?
There are so many things. I would raise wages for child care workers and make sure everyone who needs child care has it and can afford it. I would increase the amount of housing available. I would attract more workers to our community. And I would make this community a better and more inclusive place to live for all people during all times of year.
What is the most recent thing you’ve read (besides email)?
I obsessively read the news every day and People magazine with my cup of coffee on the weekends. I also enjoy an occasional murder mystery. I just read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo; I loved it.
What is something (knowledge or a skill) you would like to learn?
I would like to learn some new ways to manage stress. Also, I’d like to get better at skiing (cross country and downhill) and yoga.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve received that has helped you in your career?
Pay attention to who will be your supervisor at any job. Choose jobs where you will get strong mentoring, coaching, and professional development. Work for a boss you want to become someday.
Read our other Spotlight features:
Spotlight on Tamara Lowney
Spotlight on Kim Nichols Dauner