Welcoming Two New Additions to our Team
Karen Ladika, Receptionist/Administrative Assistant
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Stacy Day, Human Resources Manager
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There are two new faces at Working Wardrobes and we’re happy to have them join our growing staff! Please help us welcome Karen Ladika and Stacy Day who will be serving in important roles at our organization. Recently, we spoke with both Karen and Stacy to learn more about their professional and personal lives, and their future goals as members of the Working Wardrobes team.
What is your official Working Wardrobes job title, and what are your primary responsibilities within our organization?
Karen: My official title is Receptionist/ Administrative Assistant. Acting as the voice of Working Wardrobes and the face of our organization, my primary responsibilities are managing our front desk/lobby area and supporting and tackling administrative assignments and projects from various departments.
Stacy: As the new Human Resources Manager, I am here to support employee relations development, organizational development, recruitment and onboarding, and all things employee support-related. This includes partnering with the leadership team and all staff to enhance their capacity to engage with the community and serve Working Wardrobes’ clients.
How did you hear about Working Wardrobes and what makes you passionate about serving in your role?
Karen: I heard about Working Wardrobes through two friends who have volunteered their services through the VetNet program. The key element of serving in my role is excellent customer service. Knowing that every member of our Team works diligently to help and guide our clients to achieve the dignity of work enables me to provide excellent customer service to all who walk through our doors.
Stacy: I heard about Working Wardrobes from an online job posting. Around the same time, I was attending an HR networking event through UCLA. From that event, my resume was passed along to a Working Wardrobes board member and then to Jerri. I am incredibly excited by the work, service, and impact of Working Wardrobes. I have spent my studies and professional career focusing on professional development and removing barriers so that everyone can access education and professional opportunities. In 2009, I worked as a summer Career Mentor for the Career Institute (serving San Bernardino County residents), assisting with resume support, job skills training, and job placement for 80 underserved young adults. It was one of the most inspiring, humbling, and eye-opening experiences of my life. I have so much respect for the role each staff member and volunteer plays to support the mission of Working Wardrobes.
What are a few of the primary goals you have set for yourself in this new role?
Karen: In my new role, my efforts will be focused on working with our talented team to ensure each person is greeted with positive energy, to regard any challenge as an opportunity, and to provide excellent customer service with an attention to detail.
Stacy: My first goal as HR Manager is to partner with and support the leadership team, all employees, and the Working Wardrobes organization throughout the life cycle of the employee experience in a way that enhances and builds upon each employee’s unique talents and contributions.
Another goal of mine is to establish efficient and effective Human Resources-related frameworks that collaborate and integrate across departments for an improved employee experience, an organization with increased capacity to serve the community, and increased flexibility to collaborate with organizations/agencies/businesses for impact.
Can you tell us a little bit about your personal life? Any family highlights, hobbies or interests of note, or the things you enjoy doing in your personal time?
Karen: I’m originally from the Midwest, and have had a diverse career background in education, entertainment, and healthcare. I enjoy singing in my church choir, runs/walks with my dogs, dinners with friends and family, and great movies!
Stacy: I was raised in LA County. I am married with boy/girl twin toddlers and we also have an incredibly mellow bull dog named Tubbers. While studying for my undergraduate degree at California State University, Fullerton, I worked for Disneyland as a performer in Tomorrowland and I have also spent time studying abroad in the United Kingdom at the University of Bristol. From 2007-2008, I served as an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) member in West Virginia supporting local community development groups. I lived for a summer in Cameroon (West Africa) as a volunteer vocational school instructor and community engagement coordinator. We recently relocated back to the LA/OC region from Monterey. I enjoy traveling and living throughout the United States of America and abroad!
What is your favorite quote?
Karen: “Be Slow to Make a Promise, Be Swift to Keep It.”
Stacy: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi
Also, “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” Desmond Tutu
What makes Working Wardrobes different from other non-profits?
Karen: What sets Working Wardrobes apart are the people/the team within the organization that continue to help change the lives of men, women, veterans, and young adults overcoming extreme difficult challenges or circumstances to transition into the workforce with dignity and respect.
Stacy: I am still learning so much about Working Wardrobes and all the incredible initiatives the organization supports, including its dynamic partnerships with businesses, community agencies, and organizations. What has impressed me is the positive energy, smiles, and welcoming attitudes of everyone I meet. It is not hard to see that this is an incredibly supportive team doing amazing work every day. There is a special culture within this organization built through the amazing (nearly 30 year) history of the organization and its dedicated leaders and staff that is creative, resourceful, and collaborative in a way that has touched the community. I mention Working Wardrobes and wherever I am, someone has a personal and positive story to share of how they helped volunteer for Working Wardrobes or received resources, donated to a clothing drive, etc. I am so excited to be a part of this organization.
Welcome to Working Wardrobes, Karen and Stacy! We look forward to an exciting future with you.
What is your official Working Wardrobes job title, and what are your primary responsibilities within our organization?
Karen: My official title is Receptionist/ Administrative Assistant. Acting as the voice of Working Wardrobes and the face of our organization, my primary responsibilities are managing our front desk/lobby area and supporting and tackling administrative assignments and projects from various departments.
Stacy: As the new Human Resources Manager, I am here to support employee relations development, organizational development, recruitment and onboarding, and all things employee support-related. This includes partnering with the leadership team and all staff to enhance their capacity to engage with the community and serve Working Wardrobes’ clients.
How did you hear about Working Wardrobes and what makes you passionate about serving in your role?
Karen: I heard about Working Wardrobes through two friends who have volunteered their services through the VetNet program. The key element of serving in my role is excellent customer service. Knowing that every member of our Team works diligently to help and guide our clients to achieve the dignity of work enables me to provide excellent customer service to all who walk through our doors.
Stacy: I heard about Working Wardrobes from an online job posting. Around the same time, I was attending an HR networking event through UCLA. From that event, my resume was passed along to a Working Wardrobes board member and then to Jerri. I am incredibly excited by the work, service, and impact of Working Wardrobes. I have spent my studies and professional career focusing on professional development and removing barriers so that everyone can access education and professional opportunities. In 2009, I worked as a summer Career Mentor for the Career Institute (serving San Bernardino County residents), assisting with resume support, job skills training, and job placement for 80 underserved young adults. It was one of the most inspiring, humbling, and eye-opening experiences of my life. I have so much respect for the role each staff member and volunteer plays to support the mission of Working Wardrobes.
What are a few of the primary goals you have set for yourself in this new role?
Karen: In my new role, my efforts will be focused on working with our talented team to ensure each person is greeted with positive energy, to regard any challenge as an opportunity, and to provide excellent customer service with an attention to detail.
Stacy: My first goal as HR Manager is to partner with and support the leadership team, all employees, and the Working Wardrobes organization throughout the life cycle of the employee experience in a way that enhances and builds upon each employee’s unique talents and contributions.
Another goal of mine is to establish efficient and effective Human Resources-related frameworks that collaborate and integrate across departments for an improved employee experience, an organization with increased capacity to serve the community, and increased flexibility to collaborate with organizations/agencies/businesses for impact.
Can you tell us a little bit about your personal life? Any family highlights, hobbies or interests of note, or the things you enjoy doing in your personal time?
Karen: I’m originally from the Midwest, and have had a diverse career background in education, entertainment, and healthcare. I enjoy singing in my church choir, runs/walks with my dogs, dinners with friends and family, and great movies!
Stacy: I was raised in LA County. I am married with boy/girl twin toddlers and we also have an incredibly mellow bull dog named Tubbers. While studying for my undergraduate degree at California State University, Fullerton, I worked for Disneyland as a performer in Tomorrowland and I have also spent time studying abroad in the United Kingdom at the University of Bristol. From 2007-2008, I served as an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) member in West Virginia supporting local community development groups. I lived for a summer in Cameroon (West Africa) as a volunteer vocational school instructor and community engagement coordinator. We recently relocated back to the LA/OC region from Monterey. I enjoy traveling and living throughout the United States of America and abroad!
What is your favorite quote?
Karen: “Be Slow to Make a Promise, Be Swift to Keep It.”
Stacy: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi
Also, “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” Desmond Tutu
What makes Working Wardrobes different from other non-profits?
Karen: What sets Working Wardrobes apart are the people/the team within the organization that continue to help change the lives of men, women, veterans, and young adults overcoming extreme difficult challenges or circumstances to transition into the workforce with dignity and respect.
Stacy: I am still learning so much about Working Wardrobes and all the incredible initiatives the organization supports, including its dynamic partnerships with businesses, community agencies, and organizations. What has impressed me is the positive energy, smiles, and welcoming attitudes of everyone I meet. It is not hard to see that this is an incredibly supportive team doing amazing work every day. There is a special culture within this organization built through the amazing (nearly 30 year) history of the organization and its dedicated leaders and staff that is creative, resourceful, and collaborative in a way that has touched the community. I mention Working Wardrobes and wherever I am, someone has a personal and positive story to share of how they helped volunteer for Working Wardrobes or received resources, donated to a clothing drive, etc. I am so excited to be a part of this organization.
Welcome to Working Wardrobes, Karen and Stacy! We look forward to an exciting future with you.