KUSI News Anchor: As retiring after more than three decades on the job. After the break, we'll be speaking with Cheryl Wilson about her upcoming retirement and the search for her successor.
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KUSI News Anchor: 30 years, and now she's retiring. So joining me now is CEO and President of St. Paul's Senior Services, of course, Cheryl Wilson! Congrats to you, Cheryl.
Cheryl Wilson: Thank you.
KUSI News Anchor: I have to ask, well, when did you start working? When you were 10 years old?
Cheryl Wilson: Actually, when I was 12. So this retired is going to be a very new thing for me.
KUSI News Anchor: You know, for people who are not familiar with St. Paul's, um, it's a C it's basically San Diego's largest nonprofit. Please tell us a little bit more about it.
Cheryl Wilson: Yeah, St. Paul's, uh, came in to be in 1960 and we've been serving seniors since then. We now serve multiple locations in the county and we also serve multiple different styles and types of seniors. Seniors who are have very frail medical conditions, seniors who are financially disabled and fe.. and seniors who are active and alert and driving and having fun and everything in between. We also have a Childcare Program where we sort of uh, babies, two months to six years of age. We're very proud of that program.
KUSI News Anchor: I've actually visited St Paul's in it. It just seems like such a great, um, a great area and a great spot I should say. And you really took it from a small thing to such a large establishment helping so many people.
Cheryl Wilson: Yes. We, uh, started with two buildings. Uh, we now have, um, 11 main buildings and we also have a partnership with eight buildings for seniors who were formerly homeless. So we have certainly grown in San Diego.
KUSI News Anchor: So for people who don't know your background, I mean, you have been, I believe a nurse, a hospital administrator. Can you just kind of tell us about your experience?
Cheryl Wilson: I was born in Australia and did my nurse's training in Australia, and then traveled around the world and met my husband who convinced me to come to the United States and marry him. Best decision I ever made. Um, and I've been very blessed with opportunities where I could serve at a higher level throughout my career. I've also been blessed to work with amazing teams that have been supportive as we've worked together to carry out the mission, not only of St Paul's, but of other hospitals and agencies that I've worked with. I've been very, very blessed to have. It was a joyful experience.
KUSI News Anchor: And you really have dedicated your, almost your entire life to helping seniors. It's such an important thing. Um, sometimes we forget about that entire community. Now there's a nationwide search for your replacement. Are you helping in this search and, and who do you think would be or what are the characteristics of a qualified a person to take your shoes here?
Cheryl Wilson: Yes, it is a nationwide search. The board has undertaken and, uh, no I'm not involved because I have had my time at St. Paul's. We are leaving St. Paul's in great circumstances with a grateful and wonderful staff and financially viable and doing well even though COVID, we've done so well. Um, but now it is time for a new era. And so no, I'm not involved in the search, but I know that the new person will take St Paul's to the next level, because they're not going to have to come in and fix anything. They're just going to come in and now take the vision even further.
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