Meet Leah Foizie

October 2024 Champion of the Month, Leah Foizie, has been working at Rise as a direct support professional (DSP) since early 2021. Leah brings a variety of experiences to her role, including as a rescue swimmer and manager at community centers, pools, and water parks for the City of St. Paul. During this time, Leah learned about inclusive and adaptive recreation programs. When a position at Rise was posted, Leah knew she wanted to dive in with disability services.

Leah shares her favorite part of her job, “I really enjoy working with people and assisting in new projects. I feel blessed that every day is different, and I get to feel excited about what I do when I clock in every morning!”

Leah’s Impact

“I am most proud of having a job that I feel makes a difference every single day,” shares Leah.

A colleague shared that Leah “always provides support on projects, coverage needs, case management, and with several different committees within Rise.” Leah takes on many challenges and new opportunities, including leading the implementation of a satisfaction survey for people served at our supported employment team (SET) sites.

Additionally, Leah is recognized for her kind, honest, and respectful approach to her work. She is noted for her willingness to assist other teams and team members at any time.

Leah Outside of Rise

When not at Rise, Leah is experienced with search and rescue efforts. This includes working side-by-side with her certified detection dog, a golden retriever named Rosie! Leah has credited her experiences at Rise to boosting her communication skills in her search and rescue work.