It was announced, at the end of July, that LeadingAge DC board member, Steve Nash, has been honored as the 2016 Dr. Herbert Shore Outstanding Mentor. Mr. Nash is the CEO of the Stoddard Baptist Home Foundation.

 

Steve Nash is a natural teacher who primes people to advance, say those he has mentored. He helped organize a preceptor program for administrators-in-training in the District of Columbia and was one of the first to serve as a preceptor. He speaks frequently to university students to encourage them to pursue careers in health care and senior services leadership. Nash’s mentees have become successful leaders and advocates for older adults in D.C., several states, and the Virgin Islands. One person he mentored turned a failing nursing community into a successful one. Others have won professional honors, quality awards and held association leadership posts.

In the words of one of his mentees, “Mr. Nash’s strength as a mentor is in his humility and respect for human dignity … He believes in treating his staff with dignity. … In fact, one of his mottos is “Praise in public, but give constructive criticism in private.”

Nash takes every opportunity to expose those he mentors to legislative and advocacy events, introduce them to leaders of state and national associations, and encourage their participation in those associations. According to a Nash mentee, “Through his mentorship, I have the confidence to reach out to [City] Council members and the mayor’s office. I have met with our representative [in Congress] and attended congressional briefings and legislative hearings. [T]hese are essential to being an effective advocate for those we serve.”