Written by: Jenn Argy, Aspire of WNY Supported Individual and Communications Intern
“Passionate. Supportive. Engaged.” Those are the three words CEO Renee Filip uses to describe Aspire of WNY’s culture, not because they sound good in a mission statement, but because she sees them lived every day. For Renee, Aspire of WNY’s mission is rooted in people: helping individuals grow, learn, and live their best lives. Staff connect to it professionally and personally because the work taps into something universal—the desire to see others thrive, build confidence, and take meaningful steps toward greater independence.
She sees culture most clearly in the small moments. Walking the halls, she hears quiet exchanges: a coworker asking for help, someone stepping in without hesitation, patience offered while a skill develops. Passion shows up in the way staff invest in progress. Support is the instinct to contribute. Engagement is the curiosity people bring to problem solving. “We’re all in this together,” she says, and she means it.
Megan Rechin, Executive Vice President of Innovation and Strategy, sees Aspire of WNY’s culture through diversity, history, and innovation. She says its strength comes from the backgrounds, experiences, and attributes represented across teams and among the people supported. Diversity isn’t just a characteristic; it fuels creativity and resilience, opening space for richer ideas and more responsive solutions. Aspire of WNY’s identity has also been shaped across eight decades by thousands who poured their energy into the work, creating a continuity that makes human services especially meaningful.
That diversity strengthens collaboration. “Our culture places a huge importance on listening, feedback, and ensuring different voices are at each table. This enables creativity and collaboration to blossom.” Adaptive technology connects staff across Aspire of WNY’s broad geographic footprint, allowing teams to work together across miles and move ideas quickly between programs. With a shared mission and vision guiding every department and division, Meghan believes people have the clarity to think creatively each day.
Renee wishes more people understood that disability services are deeply individual. “Everyone has the right to live to their highest potential,” she says, and that potential looks different for each person. Needs shift. Goals evolve. Progress moves at its own pace. For her, meaningful support begins with seeing each person fully and meeting them where they are.
Megan sees those values in the way each day unfolds. “No day is the same; every situation is unpredictable, because every person is unique!” she says. That unpredictability is exactly why the culture needs to be steady and supportive. “Being adaptable and flexible and remaining supportive are key cultural strengths we need to carry out with us through our work so that we give 200% to the people we support and their support systems.”
Looking ahead, Renee is energized by Aspire of WNY’s new Beleaf-Abilities program. “It’s different and it allows the organization to think outside the box,” she says. Participants grow plants, learn gardening skills, and explore something new—seeing tangible results, discovering fresh interests, and broadening the possibilities for meaningful support.
Her takeaway is simple: “Aspire of WNY is a valuable resource.” That value is built through consistency, follow through, and the dedication staff bring every day. Ultimately, the culture lives in how people show up for one another and help individuals grow. Warm, purposeful, and people centered, it is built to endure.