Sally Phillips, who has served the community for 42 years, is retiring as the Executive Director of the Opportunity Center of Owensboro.
Phillips said she began working with people with developmental disabilities fresh out of college. She first took a job in Bowling Green, but eventually made her way back to her hometown of Owensboro.
Phillips worked in numerous roles over the year, all the while helping those in need in the community, but she always had an eye out for a position with the Opportunity Center (formerly Arc of Owensboro).
“For a long time, I really felt like this would be a really cool place to work,” she said.
In 2017, the job opened and Phillips got her chance. She’s helped oversee several major changes in a short time.
“I really wanted to make improvements for the clients and for the staff. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and I feel like we’ve accomplished a lot,” she said. “… I really wanted to take a day program and make it the best day program ever, and this gave me that opportunity. I had a great board to assist me with that.”
In 2021, the agency consolidated two working sites into one at 3560 New Hartford Road, and legally changed its name from Arc of Owensboro to the Opportunity Center of Owensboro.
Phillips said they consolidated buildings so they could focus more funds on programming and staffing rather than maintenance of two older buildings.
As for the rebranding, she said the old name “had a stigma to it” for their clients.
“We really felt very strongly about getting that stigma away from us,” Phillips said. “We want to be respectful to all the people that we serve. We feel like with the change in our name, that was the best name for us.”
Phillips said the center currently has about 60 clients. The center offers services ranging from adult day training and case management to community living supports and personal care services.
Phillips said while she is just now officially retiring, she made the decision a year ago when her husband retired, saying she wants the two of them to be able to spend more time together.
Earlier this month, Rosemary Conder was named as Phillips’ successor.
“I am excited to work with the Opportunity Center board and staff as we move into the next phase of service for our clients,” Conder said at the time. “I am honored to be involved with an organization whose mission is to empower the abilities of those we serve and increase awareness and understanding of the gift the disabled are to the fiber of our community.”
Conder has extensive experience in the nonprofit sector, most recently serving as Executive Director of CASA of Ohio Valley. She has previously served as a registered nurse and diabetes educator while also serving as an owner, property manager and property developer for multiple businesses in Owensboro.
Tammy Maglinger, president of the center’s board of directors, said previously they are fortunate to have Conder take over leadership of the nonprofit.
“Her innovative leadership, positivity, care and progressive thinking will take the Opportunity Center to the next level,” Maglinger said. “Rosemary will position the nonprofit to be a statewide leader for the people we serve in advocacy, programming, and community engagement.”
