Angela Sabatino reflects on her career with Spencer
From Advisen, June 22, 2020.
By Rebecca Gainsburg
For more than three decades at the Spencer Educational Foundation, Angela Sabatino has changed the lives of thousands of students. In a recent interview with Advisen, Sabatino reflected on her career, working with the Spencer board, and the importance of educating students about the insurance industry.
“I gave marital advice, job advice, personal advice, self-improvement advice,” Sabatino said. “I brought the emotional influence to Spencer, the down-to-earth nature, and the influence in working with committees.”
She recalled one scholarship recipient who lost both parents to cancer in the same year. “That was heartbreaking. We were on the phone at least once a week for a couple of months and then he went on and he moved forward,” said Sabatino.
As program director, Sabatino managed all five of Spencer’s grant programs: scholarship, internship, risk management in residence, general grants, and introductory course development. She monitored the quality of programs, maintained relationships with program professors, and for many years she was the first person that people spoke to when they called Spencer.
“I remember the phone call from Angela letting me know I had received my first scholarship,” said Megan Miller, Spencer executive director. “I was so excited, and she seemed to be as well. Even though she had probably notified dozens of other students, that day her joy while giving me the news was real.”
“Flashing forward to my first day in the office as Spencer’s new executive director, Angela greeted me at the elevator bank with a beautiful bouquet of flowers,” said Miller. “She now alternates between calling me her boss and calling me her baby, which is what she calls all of our scholarship recipients. I’ve learned more from her in the past nine months on the job than any ‘boss’ could ever convey to a team member.”
Sabatino’s approachability was one of the things that made her great at her job. Students could come to her with uncertainties and fears over starting a new career. “And I would say, ‘Try. Give it a try. I think you’re just nervous about starting a job,’” Sabatino said. Many of those students went on to be vice presidents, she recalled with a laugh.
The team Sabatino worked with pushed her to be better, she said. It was the commitment of the board and the enthusiasm of her colleagues that pushed Sabatino to innovate. Spencer board members were not just names on a letterhead; they were always involved and eager to hear new ideas, Sabatino said.
“Angela has been extraordinary in her commitment to our programs and to all our stakeholders,” said Marya Propis, senior vice president. “She has awed me over the years with how innovative and creative she is with her ideas to strengthen the program and the value of data. I have truly enjoyed partnering with her – and it has been a real partnership – and I learned from her in many ways.”
Sabatino’s ability to ensure complete college and university applications, well-considered teaching agendas, and her skills at advocating for student financial needs all come down to the way Sabatino works – leading with her head and her heart, said Propis.
“No one wants to disappoint Angela,” continued Propis. “She’s helped all of us and Spencer elevate our game in countless ways during her impressive tenure.”
There were many challenges in the last two years: restructuring the company, training new employees, adopting a new strategy and the COVID-19 pandemic, but through it all Sabatino says Spencer stayed true to its values.
“I commend the board of directors at Spencer,” said Sabatino on the organization’s response to COVID-19. “On all of their grant programs they said, ‘We will not deprive the students of one scholarship.’ They awarded all the money that they had budgeted.”
When asked who had inspired her the most during her career, Sabatino listed Spencer Chair Marya Propis, Board Member Ron Davis and the RIMS Staff. “You couldn’t get a better group of people who would bend over backward to help you accomplish something,” Sabatino said.
“When you have people that you’re interacting with who are so enthusiastic and put fervent enthusiasm into their work, you want to do more,” said Sabatino.
In retirement, Sabatino will continue to work with students, volunteering to mentor young women, in addition to traveling and spending time with friends.
To honor Angela Sabatino’s hard work and dedication, Spencer Educational is throwing a retirement celebration Friday, June 26th at 1pm ET. This community-wide tribute is open to all.
Register here: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?id=85&name=sef