Adrienne Abad Santos has a warm and reassuring demeanor that invites others to remain calm, even during challenging times. She works as an Administrative Manager and also works in Quality Management at Felton Institute.
The firstborn in her family of five and the first grandchild, Adrienne is the older sister to twin brothers. She was born in Manila, the capital of the Philippines; her parents are devout Catholics who were strict in training their children to practice good manners, right conduct and to treat others as they wanted to be treated. Adrienne’s grandmother instilled in her the value of hard work, perseverance, and the importance of integrity.
An enthusiastic student, Adrienne graduated from Manresa School, then earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Assumption College. Her goal was to go to medical school after college to become a doctor, but that plan changed when she was hired at the Australian Embassy in Manila after graduating from college.
“I started to enjoy the diplomatic work experience, being able to meet and collaborate with members of the consulate and government communities,” Adrienne recalls. “I worked at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and was given the opportunity to hold various positions in the Accounting, Human Resources and Property Divisions. I then moved to the Australian Federal Police Department within the embassy and worked as an administrative officer before I moved to the U.S.”
Shortly after joining her parents in the United States, Adrienne first worked as a reservation agent, then she was hired at Felton Institute.
“I was attracted to work for Felton because of the agency’s strong commitment to help those who are less fortunate and the dedication to improving the lives of the people they serve. I find Felton’s innovative and comprehensive services across all ages, regardless of cultural, economic and social backgrounds, exceptional.
“The most rewarding aspect about my job is when our program’s team effort and hard work result in achieving performance objectives, billing targets and passing county and state audits. It is also rewarding to work with supervisors and colleagues who are supportive, with big hearts and strong dedication to their profession.
“I am blessed to belong to a great team; they are like my second family. Work might be difficult and challenging at times, but it becomes easier when you work with people who are team players.”
When she is not at work, Adrienne enjoys trying food from different cultures, hiking and traveling with her husband. Her personal credo reflects the values of her grandmother and her parents; Adrienne says, “I always go by the golden rule, treat others as you like others to treat you”.
About Felton Institute: Founded in 1889, Felton Institute responds to human needs by providing cutting edge, evidence-based mental health and social services that transform lives. Felton Institute is a tax-exempt organization registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit under EIN 94-1156530.
Offering more than 50 acclaimed and honored programs that address homelessness, mental health, prenatal, adolescent, adult and senior needs, Felton Institute provides services in San Francisco, Alameda, San Mateo, Marin, and Monterey counties.
Felton is named for its social services pioneer and executive director Dr. Katharine “Kitty” Felton who was called the ”conscience of San Francisco” and was committed to ensuring that children and families in crisis have access to social services and resources in order to help them build upon their inherent strengths and develop self-sufficiency. www.felton.org