In honor of Women’s History Month, we spotlight the remarkable journey of Brooke Eakins, our Chief Operating Officer at Quest, Inc. Eakins will celebrate 22 years with the company in August. Her path to leadership is a testament to the power of passion, dedication and mentorship.
From Volunteer to Vocation
Through a Psychology of Aging course in college, Eakins had the opportunity to volunteer at a day nursing center. Her volunteerism allowed her to interact with two younger attendees, one with cerebral palsy and the other with an undiagnosed developmental disability. The experience ignited a passion for working with individuals with cognitive differences and would shape her career direction.
After graduating, her search for a meaningful career in this field led her to Quest’s Williams Road Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) in Tampa. She embarked on her professional journey there, initially engaging in social work as a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional.
Ascending the Ladder: From Hands-on Care to Operational Leadership
Reflecting on her rise to Chief Operating Officer, she shares, “I don’t think I would’ve ever pictured myself in this leadership role. I genuinely got into this field to make a difference in the clients’ lives.”
She quickly realized that leadership roles offer a broader platform to advocate for and implement changes that enhance the quality of life for clients on a larger scale.
Pivotal Moments and Influential Mentorship
Her tenure at Quest’s Laurel Hill ICF was pivotal in her career. Inspired by staff members’ passion and commitment, she spurred significant personal and professional growth.
Mentorship from figures like Cebele Salter, Violet Bennett, and Lovenia “Kelly” Brokenborough, a long-tenured staff member at Quest, profoundly influenced her. “You work with somebody like [Kelly] and immediately think, ‘I want to be like her when I grow up,'” she recalls.
Eakins also worked with Katie Porta, Quest’s founder, for over a decade. Katie’s commitment to ensuring clients received the medical care they deserved with respect was admirable. “[Katie] was a force, a driver of change in how people with developmental disabilities received services in Florida,” Eakins says. “She opened the first Intermediate Care Facility in Florida and walked clients out of the Sunland Institution herself.”
The Future of Women in Leadership
Building on the legacy of her mentors, Eakins is optimistic about the future of women in leadership, especially within Quest.” I am proud to see women growing and being successful in the organization,” she says, emphasizing the opportunities for career growth. She encourages women in leadership to persist despite challenges. “You will get knocked down. There will be challenges,” she advises. “Stick with it, and don’t doubt yourself.”
Making an Impact Over the Years
With almost 22 years at Quest, Eakins has been instrumental in enduring the organization’s programs through challenges like COVID-19, focusing on quality and excellence. “It is about getting things as streamlined and user-friendly as possible so tasks can get done quickly and efficiently,” she explains. This execution allows more time and energy to focus on the clients and their happiness and quality of life.”
Celebrating Women at Quest
Women’s History Month allows us to celebrate women’s achievements. Eakins’ story highlights women’s critical roles at Quest — from direct support professionals and behavior analysts to nurses, administrative support, and senior leadership.
“It’s important to recognize the many women who are leading in their own right daily to make us successful,” she says. “We as an organization would not be here doing what we’re doing at the quality that we’re doing without every last one of them.”
