Director of the Year: Carrie-Ann Schmidt

Carrie-Ann Schmidt is the agency’s Director of Operations, covering the Amsterdam region of Montgomery County, overseeing both supervised and supportive residential sites. Carrie-Ann also has oversight of Liberty ARC’s Council on Quality and Leadership Accreditation and plays a lead role within the agency’s strategic plan.

 

“While I like to be behind the scenes in supporting our mission, I am honored and happy to know that I assist in making an impact in our agency through receiving this award,” Carrie-Ann said. “I am truly grateful for the many people that have impacted me as a leader, people that have assisted in my growth and development, and the experiences that have made me who I am today. I am proud to be part of this organization and have the ability to support people to live a life that they value and that is important to them.”

 

For over 20 years, Carrie-Ann has been a familiar face not only in Montgomery County for Liberty ARC, but also at the agency’s subsidiary, Choices For Community Living (CCL) in Delaware as she floated back and forth from New York to Delaware and vice versa. Carrie-Ann was instrumental in the opening and growth of CCL.

Carrie-Ann started as a manager for Family Support Services at Liberty AC and assisted with opening CCL in 2004. When she came back to New York, she accepted the position as a Residential Manager and Scheduler. Then in 2006, when an opening for a Residential Director became available down at CCL, she filled it and continued to support the Delaware-based subsidiary. In 2010, she returned to New York permanently to take on the role an Assistant Director of Clinical Services at Liberty ARC. She then took on the role of Assistant Director of Operations, and in 2011, she accepted her current position.

 

Throughout her career journey, Carrie-Ann has always remained dedicated to the people supported.

 

“I have had many wonderful career opportunities throughout the organization which have assisted me in developing my knowledge and career here at Liberty ARC, and leading me to where I am today,” Carrie-Ann said. “I love being able to find solutions on how we can support people to live their best lives. I love being able to listen to the people we support and our staff in how we can continue to make Liberty ARC a great agency.”