Meet our staff

Samantha Fine, HCA, MA, Red Cross instructor, CESP certified

HR/QA Coordinator – I have worked in the Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health field since 2007. I worked as a Direct Support Provider for six months before moving into Management. I then went on to manage multiple houses and an ATE program. While running the houses, it was also my responsibility to train staff and to develop strong teams. I also found time while running group homes to get my Medical Assistant Certification and my Associates in Healthcare Administration. After getting my HCA, I discovered that I enjoyed the administration part of the DD/MH field and this lead me to move into Human Resource and Quality Assurance which I have had the pleasure to expand my skills and knowledge while working here at SES since 2017.

Vanessa Wickham, CESP, OIS, 1st Aid-CPR, (any other post-nominals?)

Job Site Coordinator My name is Vanessa but everyone calls me “V”. I have worked for SES for 10 years. I began my career at SES as a job coach and am now the Job Site Coordinator. This is the most fulfilling job I have ever had. I am Certified in OIS, First aid-CPR, and Mental Health First Aid for Covid 19. I have lived in Eugene forever. I graduated from South Eugene High School. I also attended Lane Community College, majored in Early Childhood Education/Business management. I am a licensed floral designer. I have raised 2 beautiful children, James and Alexandra. I have a Welsh Pembroke Corgi named Edward.

Carol Boshart, OIS, 1st Aid-CPR (any other post-nominals?)

Supported Living Services Assistant I have been working in the social services field since 2005. I started working with people with mental health diagnosis, and moved on to supporting people with medical, social & developmental issues. For seven years I headed up an in-home care agency. I am a trained counselor, therapist & life coach. I have received several types of training including Oregon Intervention System, writing treatment plans & care notes, and mandatory abuse training. I am the parent of three grown children who each have their own emotional/psychological/developmental disability. I am also a loyal Ducks fan since 2005 & have supported them in both their victorious and less than victorious years! I try to bring the same dedication to everything that I do.

Chad Kennard

Job Developer Chad was born in a small town in Ohio. After receiving his Bachelor Degree at Bowling Green State University, he moved to Colorado where he lived for the next fifteen years of his life. During that time, he worked as a Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Employment Specialist, where he specialized in assisting people with barriers to employment find training programs that helped them get back to work. Chad also served as a Resource Specialist & Options Counselor for the Aging and Disabled Resource Center (ADRC) for Mesa County Colorado. Chad moved to Eugene in 2013. It was there he discovered his true calling as a Job Developer. Chad is truly happy to be part of the team at Supported Employment Services.

Mary Stewart

Hello. I love my job and our customers and the impact that they make in my world! I only hope that I can make the same positive impact in theirs. My favorite place to be is walking on the beach and listening to the sound of the waves crash. My favorite season is Summer. I love listening to music, cooking, watching movies, watching professional basketball, and shopping. I will always try to look for the bright side and will always help when I can. Be a ray of sunshine on a gloomy day, you never know how that will impact some ones day. 🙂

Kristine Penland

I’m Kristine, I’ve been with the company since October of 2021. I work at the front desk, answering phones and greeting people. I love to read and watch movies and I make really good chocolate chip cookies. I have 2 cats who are the loves of my life. I have a 4 year old godson who is also the love of my life. I have 4 college degrees in dental assisting, medical assisting, associates in health care administration and an associates in business.

Ashley Zeller, CESP

Ashley has been with SES for 10 years. She has been providing job coaching services to SES customers since starting with SES. Over the years, Ashley’s job duties expanded to include some minor IT assistance and administrative supports (such as filing documents and helping with ISPs). Now, she works as a Quality Assurance Assistant, and is in training to be a Financial Skills Trainer. Though she works in the office more frequently, she still gets out and about to provide job coaching supports. Ashley has recently received her CESP certification, and is excited to see what the future has in store!

At home, Ashley has a cat and a dog. She enjoys spending her leisure time reading or writing, participating in tabletop or board games (Quacks of Quedlinburg is her favorite board game, and barbarian is her favorite D&D class) and is currently in the process of learning how to decorate cakes.

Heather Newman, CESP

Cheers! to all the folks who do what they love every day.

I am fortunate to work in a field that inspires me. I have a passion for working with businesses and for gaining an in-depth understanding of different industries. As an Employment Consultant, I enjoy working collaboratively with others, and supporting people in growing in their success.

I also hold the sincere belief that everyone CAN work. And that everyone who wants to work SHOULD. Each person possesses unique skills and abilities. I work to identify how these individual skill sets will fulfill the needs of a business, and support my community partners in making a best-fit hiring decision for their company and work culture.

I am grateful to live and work in this community, and to raise my family here. I am a mother of three, a grandmother of two, and a host to a menagerie of animals 🙂 In my spare time I like to hang out on the porch yard spending time with my family, stay active with household projects, and regale the neighborhood with my crooning (We listen to a lot of wonderful music! And, I just can’t help myself to join along in the singing 🙂 )

Thank you, for taking the time to learn a little more about me. I look forward to getting to know you too, should our paths cross in the future!