CQL is excited to continue our Monthly Staff Spotlight series in 2025! This offers an opportunity for you to get to know our team even better. For our April article, we’re featuring Ann Eller, CQL Quality Enhancement Specialist.
Lindsey Moore, CQL Project Coordinator, excitedly nominated Ann. She shares, “Ann Eller has been with CQL nearly 15 years. Her experience, warm engagement style, and long-standing rapport with organizations is an asset to CQL. She continues to tackle challenges as our field and services evolve, especially in the area of aging services.” Lindsey then ends her nomination with, “Thank you, Ann, for your commitment to CQL’s mission and vision!”
We’ve asked Ann a series of questions about her history, background, experiences with CQL, as well as some questions to get to know her better.
What is your position at CQL and what does that role encompass?
I am a Quality Enhancement Specialist, spending most of my time conducting Quality Assurance Accreditations and followup visits. I like to think of my role as helping people with disabilities, staff and organizations to learn, grow and transform–ultimately creating a better world!
Why did you decide to get involved in the human services field?
I just sort of “fell into” it! In college, I almost majored in Christian Education, until I realized that I didn’t really want to do church work, and it ruined all my Saturday nights! 🙂 So I majored in the subject that I had the most other courses in, which was Sociology–and the course was set! So I didn’t really choose it—it chose me!
What is your professional history, background, and experience?
My career began many, many years ago in a local department of social services in North Carolina–I moved through Adult and Child Protective Services, foster care, medical social work, Medicaid waiver programs and more. Such a learning experience for a youngster fresh out of college–I saw some of how the world really works!
I moved from there to the state Division of Social Services, then the Division of Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Substance Abuse, finally to Long Term Services and Supports. I encountered CQL in the 1990s when I was working with MHDDSAS–that was when the Personal Outcome Measures were first developed!
What are skills you have that help you in your work?
- Organization
- Writing
- Informal Demeanor
Is anything else you’d like to share with us?
I love to plant vegetables and see how they grow! Yellow tomatoes are the best! My two cats are the mainstays of my daily life, and they do not like for me to travel–they are sad when I get out my suitcase! I have a good earth- and social justice- friendly church family that keep me busy trying to save the earth; and a biological family of brother, sister, in-laws, nieces and nephews that keep me engaged in family things. I always tell my nieces and nephews that they are my long-term care insurance! Ha!
I like to travel for fun, and am going to Spain and Scotland this year. I’m always looking around the corner for what is next, so if you have any ideas…..👀
CQL Lightning Round!
What are some of the craziest travel experiences you have had working for CQL?
Training in the middle of a hall during tornadoes, and watching a huge tornado from a hotel window. Spending the night on the floor in an airport. Getting a taxi to take me to Walmart at 11:30 pm to buy clothes for the next day when my suitcase didn’t arrive. Driving through a blizzard to get to a different airport so I could go home!
Sweet or savory? What is your favorite sweet/savory food?
Savory all day long–mounds of pasta and whole pizzas!
Describe one trick you use to stay productive.
I don’t! (stay productive) 🙂 Productivity is over-rated. A nap helps though.
Would you rather be the funniest or smartest person in the room?
Funniest—it gets you further in life I think!
Name the TV show you could have on repeat 24/7, 365 days a year.
Anything on HGTV or Food Network. They are almost on 24/7 anyway!
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given or read?
“Just take one step–any step–and see where it takes you.” (my analyst)
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A pharmacist! 👩⚕️ I still like to research herbs, homeopathic medicine, and indigenous practices.
How many US states/territories have you been to? Which state was the most memorable?
I think I have been to about 25 states. It seems like I have been to North Dakota about a 100 times, but it is probably more like 8-10.
How many countries have you been to? Which one do you always recommend people visit?
14 (soon to be 16) countries. I recommend that you go anywhere you have a chance to go–you always learn something interesting and see something beautiful.
What is your least favorite household chore?
All of them! I would rather write a check.
You are suddenly turned into a fruit or vegetable, what did you turn into? Why?
A yellow tomato! 🍅 They are juicy, acidic and sweet all at once. And unexpected!
What is the most embarrassing fashion trend you used to rock? Describe your best outfit.
I went to a dance one time in a red dress with white go-go boots! 💃👢 That tells you my age, ha!
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About CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership
Since 1969, CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership has been a leader in working with human service organizations and systems to continuously define, measure, and improve quality of life and quality of services for youth, adults, and older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and psychiatric disabilities. CQL offers accreditation, training, certification, research, and consultation services to agencies that share our vision of dignity, opportunity, and community for all people.
Ann Eller: April Monthly Staff Spotlight