By Dan Montgomery

Catherine Grobmeyer worked 18 years for a Florida organization that served children and families in need (it was even called Embrace Families). When political changes forced that business to close this year, she searched for a new employer with a similar mission.

Hmmmm. Embrace, enCircle. "Building Stronger Communities," "Making the world a more loving place." Guess who seemed like a pretty great fit?

"The description of the organization caught my eye," says Grobmeyer, who was Embrace Families’ Director of Human Resources for the last 11 years. "Not just because of what enCircle does, but also the emphasis on holding the company’s values very tightly. That really drew me to apply."

Grobmyer is enCircle’s new Assistant Director of Human Resources, and she says she is all in (She’s even taken on the job of being enCircle employees’ in-house contact for the transition to ADP’s HR and payroll platform.)

"I come from a place of having real passion about the social services work," she says. "What I get out of doing human resources for this kind of organization is the ability to support the staff and the truly hard work and passion that people have for helping others."

"I know I’m not the one providing direct support to those we serve, but my way of giving back is to support those who do."

Of course, a new job meant a big move from Orlando to Roanoke for Grobmyer, her husband and three children, ages 9, 5, and 2, but that has gone smoothly, and they are excited to start exploring the area.

"There is a lot for us to do here," she says. "And I am really looking forward to having four seasons."