In 2015, Ann Cox Halkett joined the Mission as its first dedicated human resources professional. During her time as the Director of Administration, she coached staff members, standardized the Mission’s policies, and oversaw the growth in many of the Mission’s core programs. At the end of September, Ann will retire from the Mission.
“Through transitions, planning, new initiatives, and even a pandemic, Ann emerged as a thought partner I could always count on,” says Mission President John Zavodny. “Through it all, Ann’s commitment to doing the right thing, even when the right thing is also a difficult thing, has been of supreme value for the Mission and those who work here.”
Colleagues say that Ann will be remembered most for her dedication to staff, her sense of humor, and her door always being open for anyone who needed to ask a question or just chat. When Ann was hired, the Mission’s programs had grown enormously, but administrative support had not. Policy and procedures were more of an oral tradition. When John joined the Mission in 2019, Ann remembers he would often ask, “Do we have a policy for that?”
Ann brought together her writing background and passion for clear communication to craft thorough policies. She was known for working diligently on each document or employee position until the wording was just right. Ann also played a critical role in the development of a data collection initiative resulting in evaluating program effectiveness as well as documenting the Mission’s impact. In the past year, she also implemented a new system to automate the Mission’s human resources system.
Ann says what she enjoyed most about her role at the Mission was that it gave her “opportunity to get to know the entire Mission and staff.” And that is no small feat. With staff based in multiple locations—at the administrative offices in Northeast Harbor, the Cherryfield campus, on the Sunbeam, and throughout Washington County schools—the Mission’s service area is vast. And the work of Mission staff is varied and covers everything from healthcare to education. Just in the past few years, Ann has helped hire a new Sunbeam nurse, Downeast Director, and marketing team. She helped create new positions in Mission’s EdGE program to better reflect the work being done around education from elementary school through college.
Ann says, “It has been an honor and a privilege to work for the Mission. I lived in Cherryfield for 20 years while raising my children, and you could not miss the openness, commitment, love, trust, and respect at the Mission. I am glad to have been a part of it and I know it will continue.”