For nearly a decade, Lorraine Heigh has been a vital member of Presbyterian Senior Living’s (PSL) HR team, where she serves as a Talent Acquisition Specialist. With a heart for helping others and a passion for making meaningful connections, Lorraine has dedicated herself to finding and welcoming new team members who share PSL’s mission of compassionate care. Her journey into HR and her commitment to PSL’s community exemplify her deep-seated values and genuine love for serving others.
Lorraine’s path to PSL wasn’t a traditional one. She began her career in accounting, working alongside her mentor, Teresa McDermot, in property management during the 1990s. Teresa, an intelligent and reliable accountant, inspired Lorraine to pursue HR because of her own compassionate nature. “One day, she told me, ‘You would be wonderful at HR because of your compassion,’” Lorraine recalls. That single conversation sparked a shift that would shape Lorraine’s career. Teresa encouraged Lorraine to think independently, instilling in her the confidence and skills to succeed in a new field.
Lorraine has taken Teresa’s approach to heart, applying it to her interactions with others. During her time as an AP supervisor, she was known for her mentoring approach, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of her team members and helping them grow. She recalls a team member with strong skills but room to grow in patience and interpersonal communication. Lorraine worked closely with her, sending her to seminars to build these skills, and, in time, promoted her to assistant. “We spoke years later, and she thanked me. She’s now in management,” Lorraine shares proudly.
Lorraine joined PSL nearly nine years ago, drawn in by the organization’s mission statement, which resonated deeply with her. “When I saw their mission, guided by the mission of Jesus to meet with compassion, it moved me. We were in alignment,” she says. Lorraine’s work at PSL has allowed her to bring that mission to life by connecting with people who share a genuine desire to care for seniors. Coming from a background in accounting, where the focus was often on the bottom line, Lorraine appreciates PSL’s emphasis on people. “At PSL, we look at people. We take care of residents. That’s near and dear to me,” she explains.
Lorraine’s commitment to PSL goes beyond her workday. On weekends, she volunteers at a senior community, where she sings and spends time with residents. This outreach has special meaning for Lorraine, whose parents passed away when she was younger. “I didn’t have the chance to love on them like I wanted to,” she reflects, explaining that her work and volunteer efforts allow her to honor her parents’ memory by supporting other seniors.
As a Talent Acquisition Specialist, Lorraine’s days are busy and varied. Her role involves reviewing applications, speaking with hiring managers, and coordinating with PSL communities to identify the best candidates. Over the years, Lorraine has learned to prioritize her tasks effectively, recognizing that some roles are more urgent than others.
Lorraine is primarily responsible for hiring team members across several PSL communities, including Green Ridge, St. Andrew’s, Kirkland, and Glen Meadows. She looks for candidates who bring both enthusiasm and stability, qualities that she believes contribute to long-term success within PSL. “I can tell when people are really excited about the position—that’s what I look for,” she says. While the managers handle in-depth interviews, Lorraine plays a critical role in assessing applicants’ initial compatibility with PSL’s values and culture.
Lorraine’s dedication to candidates doesn’t end with the job offer. She recalls a young man hired as a dishwasher who found the application process challenging. After being hired, he continued reaching out to Lorraine, asking questions and seeking guidance. Lorraine gently explained that he needed to connect with the community’s HR manager for day-to-day support, but she appreciated his trust and eagerness. “I get that a lot—people I’ve extended offers to want to meet me in person. I try to meet them whenever I visit a community,” she shares.
Working in HR for a senior living organization has its unique challenges, particularly in the post-COVID landscape. Lorraine notes that one of the biggest hurdles has been the vaccination requirement for candidates. While PSL offers medical and religious exemptions, the policy has affected the pool of eligible candidates for a period of time. Additionally, finding clinical staff, such as Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), remains challenging due to competition from travel nursing opportunities and local salary expectations. Lorraine and her team are dedicated to finding candidates who are committed to long-term service, which aligns with PSL’s mission and values.
Throughout these challenges, Lorraine values the strong relationships she has built with her PSL colleagues. One of her close collaborators is Lourdes Morales, the HR manager at Glen Meadows, who taught Lorraine much about the industry. “Lourdes took me under her wing,” Lorraine says, adding that their teamwork continues to thrive even as Lorraine has transitioned from an HR manager to the Talent Acquisition team. “I look at the Talent Acquisition team as the dream team,” she remarks with pride.
For Lorraine, working at PSL isn’t just a job—it’s a mission. She appreciates PSL’s emphasis on promoting from within, an approach that has allowed her to grow from an HR manager to a corporate role in Talent Acquisition. “We have a five-day internal posting policy. I share my own experience, telling candidates they have opportunities for advancement,” she explains. Lorraine believes that PSL’s dedication to supporting employees’ career growth has a positive impact on recruitment and retention.
Beyond career growth opportunities, Lorraine is grateful for PSL’s benefits, particularly the 403(b) retirement plan. PSL offers a dollar-for-dollar match, which Lorraine considers invaluable for her financial security. She also highlights the organization’s generous leave policies, which allow new employees to accrue up to 17 days in their first year, including holidays. These benefits, combined with PSL’s supportive and growth-oriented culture, have reinforced Lorraine’s commitment to the organization. “I’ve made a vow that this is where I’ll retire from,” she shares confidently.
Outside of work, Lorraine is just as dedicated to making a difference. Her husband is the pastor of the family life ministry, and Lorraine leads a women’s Bible class with over 90 participants. “The women felt I was approachable, that they could share with me,” she says. Lorraine works hard to create a space of trust and support where women feel safe to open up about personal issues. Her group has become a close-knit community, where laughter and tears are shared freely. “People say, ‘You’ve got to join this class, we have so much fun.’ It’s a place to come together as a trusted space for women,” she explains.
Lorraine’s commitment to mentoring and leadership extends beyond her Bible class and PSL team members. She believes in nurturing talent and helping others find their path, just as her mentor did for her. “You have to meet people where they’re at,” she says, recalling how she once guided a staff member through personal development to become her assistant.
Reflecting on her nearly ten years with PSL, Lorraine speaks with gratitude and joy. She sees her role as more than just filling positions; she views it as an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives. Through PSL, Lorraine has found a place that aligns with her values and offers her the chance to build a legacy of service, compassion, and community.
In Lorraine’s words, “I feel a great sense of purpose being able to work with applicants and extend job offers.” Her journey with PSL has been one of growth, connection, and unwavering dedication, and she looks forward to many more years of making a difference.