Meet Our Team: Samantha Bonanno and Ruth Mikulski
DePaul is thrilled to welcome Samantha Bonanno and Ruth Mikulski! Sam, based at our Rochester administration office, and Ruth, who works at the Buffalo administration office, are DePaul’s new Managers of Talent Development and Belonging in the Learning & Development Department.
As DePaul’s new Managers of Talent Development and Belonging, how would you describe a typical day in your role?
Sam: Our days can include working from home on creating trainings, offering virtual or in-person learning opportunities, and meeting with other folks to collaborate.
Ruth: I am finding a groove. I’m responding to emails sent to the Learning & Development (L&D) department and am currently editing trainings so they can be available to all DePaul folks with closed captioning. I am also creating trainings which is a LOVE of mine. Lots of meetings and collaborating with Sam!
What previous roles have you held?
Sam: My background is in education. I started as a second-grade classroom teacher then I had kids and decided to piece together a few part-time gigs so that I could mostly be home with them. I became a doula and taught childbirth classes at Highland Hospital. When I went back to work full-time, I taught social and emotional learning and sex education. When I felt a bit stifled in public education, I moved to non-profit work and taught trainings on restorative practices to school staff and students all over the greater Rochester area and now I’m happy to be here at DePaul!
Ruth: Before DePaul, I was training adults to work with kids in care including suicide awareness, trauma informed care, documentation, implicit bias, critical thinking and decision making, and working with LGBTQIA+ folks. I have always worked with kids and adults with disabilities/in the mental health realm to ensure they have support. I was a foster parent for 10+ years. I have a double master’s in education, so I was a teacher and administrator as well.
What has been the most rewarding part of this role so far?
Sam: My favorite part of my role is the people I get to work alongside. But a close second is that I get to do what I love, which is offering folks opportunities to learn and grow in all sorts of ways.
Ruth: Honestly, working with the team. I know we are all working toward a similar goal. I feel confident that we share the same values, beliefs, and work ethic.
What does “belonging” mean to you, and how do you work to cultivate it at DePaul?
Sam: To me, belonging means that each one of us (both employees and residents) is needed and valued for exactly what we specifically and individually have to offer.
Ruth: Belonging means that I get to show up exactly as I am and know that I am valued and respected for what I bring to the table.
What impact do you hope to have at DePaul over the next few years?
Sam: I hope to help contribute to furthering an environment that values learning and supports belonging. I want to offer opportunities for folks to learn about things that maybe they weren’t aware of previously so that we can collectively learn new things and broaden our understanding.
Ruth: I look forward to building relationships with all folks throughout DePaul. I want people to know and really FEEL that their voice matters (because it does) and when they look at anything that the Learning & Development department does, they see themselves somewhere in there. And if they do not, I want them to speak up.
Tell us about your family, pets and/or support system!
Sam: I live with my wife, three kids, and four dogs. We have sixteen-year-old boy/girl twins and a fourteen-year-old son. I don’t recommend raising three teenagers at once, but so far, I can report that it is survivable and sometimes even funny. 😊 I also don’t recommend having four dogs, but you’d have to start by not fostering dogs and being the kind of person that loves easily, because then they will all move in with you. I do recommend marrying a woman, no matter who you are.
Ruth: My human family consists of my two sons and myself. My sons have Fragile X (which is Autism). I adopted them when they were just turning 10 and they are 23 and 27 now! I am navigating supporting my adult kids with disabilities and we are lucky to live in a two-family home where they have their own apartment and I have mine.😊 We have the pleasure of sharing our space with two kitties (Oskar & Audrey III) and a sweet German Shepherd mix pup, Plum. All have come to us through fostering/rescuing.
What are some of your favorite ways to spend time outside of work?
Sam: I like to read books. Getting lost in stories helps to keep me balanced when the world feels difficult. I also love to cook. On any given Sunday you will find a pot of sauce on my stove and to me, that smells like home.
Ruth: You will find me out and about in Buffalo (really all over Western New York) at local music venues. Music soothes my soul! I am also always looking for what I lovingly refer to as a ‘food experiences’, so eating my way across the area! I also read everything I can put my hands on. I love board games and have a weekly group of amazing humans I play with!
Is there a cause or issue you’re passionate about beyond your role at DePaul?
Sam: I get to serve on the board of trustees at my local library. I love being part of that because I believe deeply that public libraries are a community equity strategy.
Ruth: I am extremely passionate about social justice for ALL.
What is a personal achievement you’re especially proud of?
Sam: I’ve had the privilege of supporting over 200 births as a doula. Someday I’d like to write a book about lessons I’ve learned in the delivery room (or living room).
Ruth: I am exceptionally proud of the person I am now and ever evolving/striving to be, which includes being a mom, a friend, a coworker. I am a forever student knowing there is still so much to learn. I have had many people in life tell me that they feel safe around me, that they can be their authentic self without judgement. If I could do that for one person, WOWZA, but doing that for many is just mind-blowing.
What’s one song, movie, book, or quote that always lifts your spirits?
Sam: I think everyone has that one movie that you always put on when you’re sick or when you’re sad or when you’ve just gone through a breakup and it’s like a bandage for the soul – mine is Pride & Prejudice. Jane Austen is my favorite author and Elizabeth Bennett is my favorite strong female lead. Ten out of ten would recommend watching this with snacks and tissues.
Ruth: My absolute favorite book is Geek Love by Katherine Dunn. It may be considered an odd story but it is so full of life. I read it at least twice a year. It is the inspiration for my next tattoo. 😊
Thank you to Sam and Ruth for making a difference at DePaul! Stay tuned as we continue to highlight the passionate individuals who make our work possible.