In November’s promotional employee spotlight, we are proud to feature Sue Moravec, Intensive Services Foster Care (ISFC) Clinical Supervisor, from our Lancaster office.
Sue started her career at Penny Lane in May 2019 as an Outpatient Therapist, shortly thereafter became a STRTP Residential Outpatient Therapist, and then returned to the Antelope Valley as an Outpatient Therapist in September 2020.
In June 2022, she was promoted to Quality Improvement Supervisor and in January 2023 transitioned to become the Clinical Support Supervisor. In September 2023, Sue was promoted again to the ISFC Clinical Supervisor. She currently leads a team of direct staff of six, including ISFC Outpatient Therapists, In Home Support Counselors and Penny Lane Social Workers.
Since her time with Penny Lane Sue has been determined to learn and grow, not only herself, but anyone on her team, being a source of knowledge and mentorship.
Sue has a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science, a master’s degree in social work, and a Juris Doctorate. Sue is also a Licensed Clinical Social Work in the State of California.
Help me congratulate Sue on her accomplishments!
-Lori Reid, Penny Lane Centers
Throughout my life I’ve had many interests and careers, from real estate and import logistics management to law. For much of my professional life, I owned and operated a private family law practice. After tragedy struck my personal life, some serious soul searching led me back to school where I obtained my master’s in social work. Upon graduation, I worked with a few different agencies in both therapy and management positions, but nothing felt like the right fit.
I heard wonderful things about Penny Lane and a colleague encouraged me to apply for an open outpatient therapist position. As they say, the rest is history.
I love the people that I work with at Penny Lane. Everyone here genuinely believes in what we do and is led by their heart to bring much needed services to our communities.
I came to Penny Lane knowing that I would have an opportunity to use my MSW and JD jointly to bring services to our community. Not knowing exactly how that would play out, I was determined to be as active and involved in as many aspects of our agency as I could be. Folks say “Sue, you’re everywhere!” and that’s a little bit true. I took roles as an outpatient therapist, STRTP therapist, and stepped in for other supervisors before landing my very own supervisor position. I knew other opportunities would present themselves, so I kept my eye open and interviewed until the time and opportunity aligned. Along the way I volunteered anywhere I could: at EDGY, with the Strategic Planning Committee, facilitated DBB, joined the RJC, took part in the CEO Circle, and mentored interns. This helped me get to know more about our agency and where I could best be of service.
I was never without a strong team of cheerleaders who encouraged me to get involved, remain involved, and to keep trying! I have a tremendous amount of gratitude to the amazing supervisors I’ve had along the way that really saw me and supported me in pursuing my professional goals within the agency.
I haven’t had the opportunity to utilize the current benefits that Penny Lane has available. I applied for a loan forgiveness program but was offered a temporary supervisory position that would have disqualified me as a recipient. I chose to pursue my professional goals rather than take advantage of the loan forgiveness program. Some of the incentives we are now able to offer were not available when I was hired at Penny Lane, but I’m glad we are able to offer them to our newer staff members!
There are always a lot of acronyms in our field, but ISFC is like learning a whole new language. I’ve been assisting the Clinical Support Staff team until the new supervisor took the helm, so time and balance has been a challenge. I’m looking forward to learning and growing with my new team.
Usually, folks are surprised to learn I was a practicing lawyer for almost 20 years, followed closely by their surprise that I’m the youngest of 9 children
When unexpected tragedy strikes your life, things are thrown upside down in an instant. Everything you think you know is called into question. When that moment happened in my life, and the months that followed, I paused to reflect, reconnected with myself, adjusted, and pursued the parts of me that had been set aside along the way. I am grateful for the worst day of my life, because it created the opportunities for the amazing life I now have.
Don’t let anyone undermine your sense of self. Be true to yourself and stand proud because no one can take that away from you.
At work, the support of my colleagues, supervisors, and friends. Penny Lane’s heart centered culture really speaks to me and provides me with a safe space to share all of life’s successes and difficulties with others. At home, I am grateful for my partner Victor, my family and friends, and my furry four-legged brood, all of whom keep me grounded when life becomes unpredictable.
