2012 40 Under Forty: Jennifer Grammatic

Grammatic

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MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE, Center of Hope Foundation

Company location: Southbridge

Residence: Worcester

Favorite movies: "Good Will Hunting," "The Power of One"

Career highlights: After several successful years of sales, customer service, and learning how to develop strong interpersonal skills in the retail world, I recognized I needed to reevaluate my goals. An inspiring and memorable presentation from the Hoyt family at a 2011 event motivated and challenged me to make a change.

Community involvement: I teach beginner's ballroom dancing at Poise, Style & Motion in Worcester. I organized an event here called Pay It Forward to help support The Arc's All Aboard The Arc annual statewide event with a special lesson on learning to dance while blindfolded, to simulate what it is like to navigate through life with a disability. I'm also an avid runner and have participated in many events for the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Muscular Dystrophy Association and The Jimmy Fund.

Biggest success: In my previous role, during a period of economic decline, while the company as a whole was suffering losses, I maintained or increased my sales by up to 15 percent.

Biggest challenge: My biggest challenge is to bring awareness to the general public about the many happenings at the center, which consists of four-day habilitations, a large vocational and volunteer department, 13 small businesses, continual fundraising events and legislative issues, which may affect individuals and families with disabilities; or providers who offer services to these individuals.

Mentors: I attribute my personal and professional growth to many key individuals who saw the potential in the quality of my work, and my desire to be a team player, as well as a role model. They include Becky Bradt, Jamie Roco, Dean Decarolis, Cindy and Jim Howard, all previous managers and my current manager.

Hidden talents: I once played the clarinet, and took three years of self-defense training.

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