WORCESTER – The Female Leadership Interest Council (FLIC®) recently announced the appointment of Harmon Home Health Care CEO, Kim Harmon to its Advisory Board.
Simpatico is what Kim Harmon, CEO of Harmon Home Health in Worcester, felt when she and Female Leadership Interest Council (FLIC®) Founder Deborah Penta first met. It was that shared philosophy of reaching out to other women, which led Harmon to interest in FLIC® and to her appointment as an Advisory Board member.
"Kim brings entrepreneurial leadership to the FLIC® board and exemplifies the life balance challenge of many professional women today," said FLIC® Founder Deborah Penta. "She is a very positive, energetic and effective leader and understands the complexities, challenges and issues that leaders face to achieve success, while striving to inspire others and maintain a healthy life balance."
FLIC® is a non-profit organization founded on the principles of female leadership, mentoring and the belief that when you can help someone else succeed, you personally grow and prosper. The Council’s mission is to provide educational instruction to women to assist in developing their capabilities in the business world, which will increase the likelihood that their successes will benefit the community.
Harmon, a registered nurse, is herself an inspiration to many women. Having gone from a job as a director of a home health agency that served clients in government-funded programs such as Medicare to opening her own agency in 2006, Harmon took some great risks that paid off. In order for Harmon to begin her new venture, the divorced mother of two took a 20-hour-a-week position teaching, while trying to launch her company. Additionally, she enrolled in a six-month entrepreneurial program to learn business basics. She also made many sacrifices, selling her home and moving into an apartment in order to start her business. Today, her company grosses close to $2 million and employs eight people in the office and 75 caregivers.
She said she has always had a special, inspirational woman mentor to help encourage and provide support on her entrepreneurial journey.
"Gail Kustigian has been my number one mentor throughout my entire life. Not only is she my aunt and godmother, she is also a leader in the Worcester nursing community. She has been so inspirational for me. She taught me the highest level of integrity. She’s been a dedicated role model and allowed me to explore who I am as a female leader. It’s amazing to have her in my life."
According to Harmon, she hopes to bring that same level of inspiration to young women through FLIC®.
"My short and long-term goal is to really help mentor to young women. I have a young daughter, Gabrielle, and it’s just so important for me to be that role model," Harmon said. "I’ve had the opportunity to work with a caregiver who came to me three years ago at a very difficult time in her life. She was in an abusive relationship, and I really cared for her a lot. I started coaching and mentoring her, and she completely turned her life around and today is one of our number one caregivers. I’m so proud of her. The payback for me is that she represents my company and is following my vision."
"FLIC® is very fortunate to have leaders who are deeply committed to its vision and who believe wholeheartedly in the notion of mentorship and Paying it Forward," Penta said. "Our team believes in helping others and serving as role models for woman of all ages who need a little help a long the way."
"In terms of FLIC®, I believe so much in what Deborah is doing, getting out into the local communities," Harmon said. "I’m so proud to be on her Advisory Board. It’s truly an honor."
For more information on FLIC®, visit www.femaleleaders.org.
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