When George reflects on his path to working at Guild, it comes down to something simple but powerful: connection. “I just fell in love with the population,” he said, recalling his early work with individuals living with serious and persistent mental illness. “Of all the different folks I had worked with, I felt like I could make the most impact here.”
He joined Guild in 1991, just a week after graduating, and quickly became part of a transformative chapter in the organization’s history. Early on, he helped lead the transition of 91 individuals from a residential facility into their own apartments — an approach that was seen as risky at the time.
“A lot of people didn’t think these folks could make it in the community,” George said. “But they didn’t realize the intensity of services we were going to wrap around people.” The experience helped solidify his belief that, with the right support, people can build stable and meaningful lives.
Over the years, George’s career evolved in ways he never expected. Starting in direct service, he moved into leadership roles and eventually his current role as senior philanthropy officer. “I never would have guessed in a million years that I’d be a fundraiser,” he shared. “I almost turned it down because I knew I’d have to do public speaking.”
What changed was his realization that connecting people to the mission could be just as impactful as delivering services directly. “I like to help donors internalize that they’re part of the solution.”
That sense of connection is something George has carried throughout his 35 years. He has maintained relationships with clients and families for decades, watching lives unfold in ways that once seemed uncertain. “There’s no way I could reproduce that anywhere else,” he said. “It’s just part of who I am.”
He recalls individuals who, with Guild’s support, have lived independently for years, staying connected to family, work, and community. “I know that without Guild, he would have been on the streets or institutionalized — or worse,” George said of one client. “Instead, he’s had a quality life.”
Some of the moments that have stayed with George most are quieter but just as meaningful. He remembers an elderly woman who spent much of her life institutionalized before moving into her own apartment through Guild. “For the first time, she had her own place,” he said. “She had eight happy years — the happiest eight years of her life.”
Through every stage of change and growth over his career at Guild, George points to one thing that has remained constant: the culture. “There’s a philosophy of kindness at Guild that I’ve not experienced anywhere else,” he said. “It’s about going the extra mile, not giving up on people.” That culture is what has kept him at Guild for more than three decades. “My heart is at Guild.”
Today, George continues to build relationships with donors, helping sustain the services that make these client stories possible. “We couldn’t do it without the donors,” he said. “There’s a direct correlation between their support and our ability to provide services.”
After 35 years, his pride in Guild is clear — and so is his commitment. “I’m really proud of my tenure here,” he said. “And there’s still more to accomplish.”
