Bonnie Sisson sees challenges as opportunities and thrives on making meaningful connections with people. When she looks back on her 45 years working for AgeSpan, she feels a great sense of pride and accomplishment.
“To be a part of this mission, allowing people to stay in their homes as they age, makes me very proud.” Bonnie says. “People look to AgeSpan for vision and leadership. I feel lucky to work here.”
Her journey started in 1979, when she applied to be the intake secretary for the Home Care department. With some experience working in a nursing home, she dropped off her resume on her lunch break and was hired as employee number 36. She remembers jotting down messages on pink ‘while you were out’ message slips and writing up her own glossary to help keep track of all the acronyms.
Now serving as Community Relations and Development Manager, Bonnie plays a vital role in planning events, raising funds, and building meaningful relationships with donors, partners, and staff. Her growth within the agency mirrors AgeSpan’s evolution, and her contributions have been instrumental to its success.
“Bonnie has helped shape the path that has led us to where we are today,” says AgeSpan Chief Executive Officer Joan Hatem-Roy. “Whether it’s a donor, a colleague, or a community member, Bonnie approaches every person with the same level of integrity and respect, building relationships that have truly made a difference for our agency.”
Over the years, Bonnie has taken on many roles, including serving as the executive assistant to AgeSpan’s first executive director, Russ Moran. She supervised staff, ran the switchboard, handled HR and benefits, and even purchased office supplies and furniture.
“You wore a lot of hats back then,” she says with a laugh.
She fondly remembers how exciting it was to purchase one of the agency’s first computers, knowing how it would transform the work of the secretaries. They all needed training on how to use it.
“When the trainer arrived and asked where our DOS was, we had no idea what she was talking about,” Bonnie says. “It’s something we still laugh about today.”
As the agency grew and added services to meet the evolving needs of older adults, Bonnie approached each new initiative with a can-do attitude.
“To me, the growing pains were great challenges,” Bonnie says. “AgeSpan has always adapted. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention and when we saw a need, we found a way to meet it.”
Of the many things she has learned over the years, one thing that stands out is that people are always willing to help.
“I’ve had wonderful supervisors, who taught me to be confident, take risks, speak up, and in fundraising, to accept no for an answer with grace,” she says. “Sometimes no is just a longer conversation to yes.”
Through four name changes, three locations, and decades of change, Bonnie still loves what she does and sees her job as a lifelong adventure.
“Few can match the dedication, passion, and impact that Bonnie has brought over the past 45 years,” says the CEO. “Thank you, Bonnie for being a constant source of inspiration and a true champion of our mission.”
This article is part of a series celebrating the dedicated professionals who help AgeSpan deliver on our mission to ensure everyone’s choice to lead fulfilling lives as they age.
