We’re honored to have featured another set of amazing human services heroes this year! Check out our recap of The Caring Force 2025 Workforce Heroes below.
Click on the name of the month or hero to read the full interview, where each hero discusses their typical workday, favorite professional memory and answers a question from the previous hero.
- Name: Murphy Hagerty
- Organization: Assistant Manager at Bridging Independent Living Together (BILT), Inc.
- Why they decided to pursue a career in human services: “My journey started mainly because of my mom. She was a firefighter but later became a nanny. When I got into high school, I would often tag along with her and help out. When my mom wasn’t available, I would step in to help, and things naturally began to fall into place. I transitioned to working at a daycare….[and] Finally…I discovered BILT and became involved there.”
- Name: Amber Trice
- Organization: Program Director of the Willows program at Victory Programs
- Why they decided to pursue a career in human services: “Growing up, I saw how corporations often prioritized profit over people, exploiting communities in the process. I knew early on that I couldn’t dedicate my career to making someone else a dollar, I wanted my work to have a real impact…A turning point came in 2019 when I read Evicted by Matthew Desmond. The book exposed the systemic injustices within housing, and it completely shifted my career path. I quickly pivoted toward homeless services, a decision that eventually brought me to Boston in 2023.”
- Name: Robert Jencks
- Organization: Director of Plymouth Recovery Services and Acting Program Director for the Gándara Center’s recovery centers in eastern Massachusetts
- Why they decided to pursue a career in human services: “When I was a kid, I never considered a career in human services. In fact, I always wanted to be a professional basketball player, but as I got older, I fell into my own addiction. As a result, I stopped playing despite opportunities to play in college. It became another loss in a long list of things that I gave away in the course of using…In 2016, I found myself in a treatment center on Cape Cod…They believed in me and inspired me, but most importantly, they treated me like a human being. I wanted to do that for other people, and after being in recovery for a year, I got a job at that same detox center where I went as a patient.”
- Name: Erika Musselman
- Organization: Licensed Family Support specialist at 18 Degrees of Western MA
- Why they decided to pursue a career in human services: “Shortly after the birth of my second child, my family’s world changed dramatically due to significant traumas. In the process of cleaning up and repairing our shattered world, I learned so much about the complex network of providers, government agencies and systems, as well as about trauma, mental health, abuse, suicide, and healing. When I was ready to return to building a career, I saw an advertisement for a position at a local agency providing support for families in need. I remembered the vast network of people who helped my family and me when we needed it…I’ve been working at 18 Degrees (called Berkshire Children and Families when I was hired) for 11 years this May 5th.”
- Name: Keith MacNeil
- Organization: Director of Clinical Services at Advocates, Inc.
- Why they decided to pursue a career in human services: “My path into human services is deeply personal. I’ve been on the receiving end of support for substance-use disorder, and that experience changed everything for me. It showed me just how powerful compassion and consistent support can be— especially when you’re at your lowest. The people who stood by me helped me see value and potential in myself when I couldn’t. That kind of impact stuck with me. I knew I wanted to give that same hope and guidance to others. For me, this isn’t just a job—it’s a way to give back, to walk alongside people on their journey, and to remind them that change is always possible.”
- Name: Danila Pierre
- Organization: Program Director for the Adult Family Shelter – East Boston location at St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children.
- Why they decided to pursue a career in human services: “I love helping and encouraging others. My desire to pursue a career in human services was not a sudden decision: I pursued this career with a profound sense of responsibility to help and make meaningful differences.”
- Name: Mary Gregorio
- Organization: Program Director at Center Club, Bay Cove Human Services
- Why they decided to pursue a career in human services: “When I was an undergraduate at Boston College in the early 1970s, I was part of a group which visited patients at the old Boston State Hospital, many of whom had been there for decades. I was struck by the travel posters for London and Paris on the walls, which clearly did not accurately portray their current reality. Soon after, I began a work study job at Center Club, the first psychiatric rehabilitation program in New England, which was developed in the era of de-institutionalization—I’m still here 50 years later supporting our club members in living full lives in the community.”
- Name: Sabrina Stiles
- Organization: Program director at The Brien Center
- Why they decided to pursue a career in human services: “My decision to pursue a career in human services—and specifically in social work—comes from a deeply personal place. I am a person in recovery…I’ve experienced many of the same growing pains, setbacks, and moments of hope that the people I now support are working through themselves. During my recovery, I encountered professionals who saw me as a whole person, not just my struggles…It was through these interactions that I realized I wanted to give back in the same way..[as] one who listens without judgment, walks alongside people through their pain, and helps them reconnect with their strength and worth.”
- Name: Mark Raines
- Organization: Youth Development manager at More Than Words
- Why they decided to pursue a career in human services: “I began my career studying civil engineering with a minor in psychology at Geneva College, originally thinking I’d pursue architecture due to my love for art and design. But after moving to Boston in 2000, my aunt encouraged me to explore the human services field…In 2004, I joined The Home, supporting over 30 children in residential care for nearly six years…After a brief shift to real estate from 2010 to 2016, my aunt encouraged me to pursue new opportunities—this time at More Than Words…Working in this space has been deeply fulfilling. I’ve come to see how human services not only transform lives but also strengthen communities.“
- Name: Moses Osei
- Organization: Lead Overnight Residential Assistant with the Guild for Human Services
- Why they decided to pursue a career in human services: “I’ve always been passionate about helping others and making a positive difference in people’s lives. Growing up, I saw how support and compassion could truly change someone’s circumstances through teaching and counseling. It inspired me to pursue a career in human services to help individuals and families overcome challenges through practical skills.”
- Name: Maribel Van Corbach
- Organization: Patient access clinician at Casa Esperanza
- Why they decided to pursue a career in human services: “Growing up, I was confronted with the harsh realities that many people face daily, struggles that go far beyond statistics or headlines. These experiences were not distant or abstract; they were woven into the fabric of my community… At first, I felt overwhelmed by the magnitude of these challenges…I saw how poverty limited opportunities, how crime bred fear and mistrust, and how addiction tore families apart. Each story was unique, yet all were connected by a common thread of adversity. Rather than turning away…I began to see not just the struggles, but also the resilience and hope that persisted in the face of adversity. I realized that while I could not solve these problems alone, I could make a difference—one person at a time.“
- Name: Laquinta Bryan
- Organization: Communities for People
- Why they decided to pursue a career in human services: “I decided to pursue a career in human services after working as a Pharmacy Technician in outpatient care and then in inpatient care for several years. I realized I needed a change, and decided to enroll in a training program called The HELP Program through Morgan Memorial Goodwill, located in Boston, MA. This training gave me the knowledge and skills to get an entry-level position as a direct care counselor for my first and still current employer, Communities for People, back in 2014.”
Thank you again to all of our amazing 2025 heroes for the amazing impact they have every day. We are currently seeking workforce hero nominations for 2026! If you have someone going above and beyond at your organization, email ilee@providers.org to nominate them as a Caring Force Workforce Hero!
Back to All Blog Posts