Continental Announces Inaugural Team Member Value Ambassadors

Earlier this year, Continental launched the Values Peer Nomination Program, an exciting awards initiative designed to celebrate team members who exemplify our core Values through their words and actions. This program empowers our team to recognize colleagues who consistently demonstrate one or more of the following Values: 

• Respect for the Individual 
• Distinguished Character 
• Achieving More Together 
• Passion For All We Do 
• Better Than Ever Before 

This program reflects our commitment to fostering a workplace where our shared Values are not just acknowledged, but actively lived and celebrated. Award recipients are chosen quarterly by a diverse, anonymous selection committee comprised of team members from different roles and backgrounds within the company.  

Those selected as recipients proudly hold the title of Continental's Value Ambassadors, serving as exemplary role models of our organizational culture.  

Continental recently announced the inaugural group of Value Ambassadors to team members. Meet them below and discover the inspiring nominations submitted by their peers, highlighting their exceptional dedication to our shared Values.   

Better Than Ever Before 

Katie Dietzler, Director of Financial Systems

"Katie is a go-to resource for the Accounting team, the Data team, and beyond. Katie's attitude can be summarized by one line from Vanilla Ice's song "Ice Ice Baby" - "If there was a problem, yo, I'll solve it!" 
You need only mention a struggle or frustration once around Katie. Before you know it, she will show you a solution she developed in her "spare time" to help solve your problem or make your process more efficient. I don't think I've ever heard her say the words "We can't do that.” She is an early adopter of change and eagerly dives into new projects headfirst, all while keeping all relevant stakeholders in the know. She is passionate about sharing knowledge with those around her to drive continuous improvement. 

There are several examples of her consistent demonstration of Better Than Ever Before. Before Continental had a single data team member, Katie was part of the data-driven initiative group to work with our consultants and create proof-of-concept reports. She continues to be an active advocate for our data-driven initiative. Katie has created countless reports in Power BI for accountants to use to make their processes more efficient, saving many people time in the long run. Katie also educates those around her in the usage of data so that they can become power users themselves. The accounting team now has several Power BI and data experts." 

Passion For All We Do 

Crystal Swoboda, Community Manager, Springs at Lakeville 

“Crystal Swoboda demonstrates all of our Values every day as a team member with Continental, so it was hard to pick just one. However, I would like to nominate her for Passion For All We Do, as everything she does for Continental and her team is always done with this Value in mind.   

Crystal will go above and beyond to make sure our customers and her team members are always taken care of. As an example, Minnesota recently had a lot of law changes, and she took it upon herself to take a class on the new laws so she could be ready to support all of our Minnesota residents and team members as needed. 

Crystal always ensures that our residents and her team come first. With the big cold spell last year and the challenges that resulted, Crystal was out of town, but as soon as she heard, dropped everything she was doing and helped us the best she could from where she was by calling vendors for us and sending mass communications to our residents to make sure they were taken care of. These are only two of many ways Crystal has shown Passion For All We Do. Every day, Crystal puts effort into her team's development to make sure we grow and puts passion behind the care of her residents. I am so proud to be part of her team and be able to grow with her.” 

Achieving More Together

Aaron Dupras, Community Manager, Springs at the Reserve

Smyrna Gonzalez, Community Manager, Springs at Summer Park

Jenny Mitchell, Regional Director, Texas 

"During my onboarding to Continental, these three have been consistently helpful anytime I have reached out with questions or needing guidance. They are very knowledgeable and exemplify teamwork to the highest degree. I came from an environment where I had difficulty getting ahold of fellow team members and managers and often felt alone. Since joining Continental, I truly feel like everyone is able, willing and wanting to help. This has been a key factor for me to know I made the right decision in joining Team Continental. These three team members have just made it that much better." 

We extend our gratitude to our Value Ambassadors who embody the spirit of Continental and help elevate our culture to be Better Than Ever Before. Congratulations to all!