Staff Spotlight: Long-Time Staff Member Danielle Demko is on the move — transitioning from OHI Austin to OHI San Diego!

Danielle Demko has always had a heart for service. And fortunately, OHI has been at the center of her heart for over five years. “I joined OHI San Diego in January 2019,” said Danielle. “I loved everything about my experience at the San Diego campus, so when the opportunity came up to take the position of Executive Director of the Austin campus in March 2022, I was happy to make the move. Since it was a 2-3 year commitment, I wanted to glean everything I could out of the experience. I’ve grown so much and will always be forever grateful to the staff and guests at OHI Austin!”

Danielle’s 2.5 years in Austin have been truly meaningful, with time spent bonding with the OHI Austin team and guests, building relationships with the local Austin vendors, and getting to know the culture of the city of Austin. “What a great experience it’s been!” said Danielle. “The staff and guests at OHI Austin really embraced me. I fell in love with the beautiful OHI campus nestled in the country just east of Austin. The property feels like an oasis, the best kept secret. Just coming onto the property allows the guests (and staff) to take a deep breath. So many refer to it as ‘home.’ The setting has a lot to do with that. The guest size lends to the intimacy as the capacity is a bit smaller than OHI San Diego, allowing guests to build lifelong friendships while also leaving time for solitude.

Now that Danielle’s tenure as OHI Austin’s Executive Director is coming to an end, what will her next adventure be? “I became a grandma last summer to Dawson, my first grandchild,” said Danielle. “My son, Thatcher, works in Vancouver seasonally for about nine months out of the year. In the off season, he and his family split their time between San Diego and Michigan where each of them respectively were raised. The end of my tenure has come at a perfect time! I need to get back to San Diego so I can enjoy my new grandson. I don’t want to miss these special first years. It has been my honor to serve the guests at our Austin campus, and there will always be a special place in my heart for each and every one of them. I’ll be back in Austin to teach from time to time to ensure a smooth transition. But for now, San Diego is calling.”

Guests can look forward to seeing Danielle in her teaching element when she returns to OHI San Diego. As OHI San Diego’s Program Director, she’ll be teaching classes as well as contributing to curriculum updates and perhaps gradually expanding the course roster. “I’m particularly passionate about teaching and the classes that encompass the mental, emotional and spiritual component: Emotional & Mental Detox, Alpha I & II, Conscious Breathing I & II, Focus I & II, Vocal Toning and more,” said Danielle. “I’ll also be available to support guests through one-on-one counseling. Every guest that walks through our doors comes in with something at play, something that prompted them to allocate time and money for their stay. I want to give them the space and/or support they need. I’ll also be heading up the Missionary Program, which I love. This is healing on another level. Giving each missionary the support they need while they bridge any gaps between staff and guests feels like a balanced reciprocity. They are our campus angels! It’s miraculous to see each missionary change and grow on their own healing journey as they work in service to others. And lastly, I’ll be part of the leadership team at OHI San Diego. I look forward to supporting our leadership initiatives.”

Danielle’s closing words are truly heartfelt. “I feel like I’ve been called to help others through OHI, and it has been my honor to contribute to both campuses and to be utilized wherever the organization needs me,” said Danielle. “Starting at OHI San Diego in 2019, being able to stay open through Covid, saying yes to OHI Austin at the end of 2021, and now heading back to San Diego…it’s all been such an honor. It’s also been transformative, both professionally and personally. I genuinely love both properties and the staff and guests respectively! They are equally near and dear to my heart, and now I can easily bridge the two locations.

I have so much love for OHI, and I am excited to see what the future brings. Thank you for everything, OHI Austin. I have been proud to call you home! And now it’s time to get back to my roots and my family in San Diego, bringing all the growth I’ve had in Austin with me. California, here I come!”

If you have always yearned for a career where you can make a difference by helping and serving others, then contact us today: (800) 588-0809