Staff Spotlight: Brenda Chilman - 25 Years at FSR

A Rochester native and John Marshall graduate, Brenda knew early on she wanted to find meaningful work helping people. In 1999, fresh from Winona State University – Rochester with a degree in social work, she joined Family Service Rochester as a Program Coordinator for Home Services (now Aging Services). She coordinated programs that helped older adults stay in their homes.

Shortly after starting, she was trying to assist a client with snow removal when she learned that the service list was full. She did not think placing this client on a waiting list was a particularly good option, but there were no funds to support additional assistance.

“Can’t we raise some money?” she asked.

So, there was a “little Bowlathon” to raise funds, and it has grown from there. Working a few years in program coordination and fundraising, Brenda returned to school to get her Masters in Philanthropy and Marketing. In 2003, she began work full-time in development and marketing at FSR. Work she has continued in a variety of roles over the years, currently as Event and Development Manager.

Even though she moved away from direct work with clients, she says, “I love I get to do the work I get to do, and it supports a really important mission.”

She came originally to FSR because it offered her the meaningful work she had been looking to do, but she says she also discovered a “phenomenal employer.” The time she spent in leadership showed her decision-making that was mission-driven and always looking for the “best for employees.” Personally, she found at FSR an employer that allowed her “a lot of flexibility, supporting me through several life transitions.”

“We absolutely do respect and partner with the people we work with. We are not doing anything to or for somebody. We’re working with people. I could not have asked for a better employer for 25 years.”