On March 22, 2022, Paulette Elbers, Senior Director of Entitlements & Financial Support Services was recognized by Long Island Business News as a recipient of its Diversity in Business Award. The award recognizes the exceptional achievements of business leaders of diverse ethnic backgrounds and those with disabilities, who are committed to expanding the diversity of Long Island’s business community
Since joining Life’s WORC in 2002, Paulette has been committed to ensuring that people with disabilities and seniors who are medically frail have access to much-needed benefits, supports and services. During her tenure she has provided advocacy for more than 1500 families with loved ones who are supported through Life’s WORC programs. Paulette is dedicated to positively impacting the lives of the people supported and was instrumental in creating Life’s WORC Pooled Trusts. Her vision and drive in successfully developing this program subsequently led to its expansion to the more comprehensive Life’s WORC Trust Services department, which recently expanded to include Planned Giving and other Financial Services.
Paulette has also been a dedicated driver of Life’s WORC’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, making sure all employees and the people Life’s WORC supports are treated with the utmost respect. She continually strives to make improvements, advancing DEI training and even establishing commemorative activities in support of the organization’s DEI culture. Other examples of her commitment to diversity include the development of Life’s WORC’s Summer Camp Assistance Program (a grant that provides children and young adults with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy the summer camp experience) and the creation of Juneteenth as a Life’s WORC employee holiday even before it became a national holiday.
Paulette has also served as Chairperson of the Life’s WORC Values Committee charged with maintaining its distinct brand of organizational culture. Championing these values and initiatives throughout Life’s WORC demonstrates Paulette’s commitment to fairness and equity for all people regardless of their abilities/disabilities, race, ethnicity, gender or religion.
Congratulations Paulette! We cannot think of a more deserving recipient of this incredible award.