The incoming chief executive wants not only to expand the not-for-profit's services and commercial activities but to make a real difference to clients' lives, writes Meg Shreve.
Angela Kerins wants to make a difference. After 10 years as the head of RehabCare, the health and social services division of RehabGroup, she was named chief executive designate of the organisation last month, succeeding Frank Flannery, who is retiring.
The 47-year-old, who takes over formally at the beginning of next year, wants not only to expand the not-for-profit's services and commercial activities but to "galvanise" the organisation to make an even bigger impact in the communities it serves.
RehabGroup, which provides health and social services to people with disabilities and the elderly, also offers training, employment opportunities and operates a number of commercial ventures.
In 2004 it had an annual turnover of €160 million serving almost 60,000 people with 200 centres and nearly 3,000 employees in Ireland and the UK. In the recent Irish Times top 1000, RehabGroup was ranked as the 242nd largest company in the State.
"We want to change and make a real difference in society," Kerins said about the not-for-profit's mission. "If not, I wouldn't be here."
Kerins began her career as a nurse but soon found herself drawn to the management side of healthcare services. In the mid-1980s she helped run a medical rehabilitation facility in Saudi Arabia and in 1992 joined RehabGroup.
By 1995 she established RehabCare to provide health and social services. She also became director of group development and public affairs for the organisation and represented RehabGroup at the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
In recognition of her work in the disability sector, the National University of Ireland at University College Dublin in 2003 awarded Kerins an honorary doctorate of laws.
Alongside her day job, Kerins holds a number of positions outside of RehabGroup. She is a chairwoman of the Disability Legislation Consultation Group and the National Disability Authority and a member of the national executive of the Irish Business Employers' Confederation.
Yet as she prepares to become the group's chief executive she is cognisant of the challenges in providing health and social services and is quick to point out that the not-for-profit has a "double bottom line".
Financial stability of the organisation is essential to ensure the organisation can continue to provide its diverse list of services.
"If you have no margin, you have no mission," Kerins said. "We have a very mission-driven organisation" that is combined with a "very commercial focus of how we do our business," she said.
While that mission is to provide high quality services such as vocational training, day care centres, early hospital discharge programmes for the elderly, home care services and even a day programme for elderly Irish emigrants in Coventry, Rehab also runs a number of commercial ventures that not only fund the group's growth but also provide sources of employment for people with disabilities.
Among people with disabilities, unemployment is approximately 60 per cent, according to Kerins.
She'd like to make a "big dent over the next 10 years" by continuing to provide training to those with disabilities while supporting employers to hire them.
RehabGroup's National Learning Network provides career development, training and employment placement to more than 4,500 people across the Republic, while the group's Gandon Enterprise operates nine commercial ventures overseas that employ more than 500 people.
Some of these commercial ventures include a recycling programme that processed more than 130 million bottles and 20 million cans in 2004 and subcontracts with Dell Computer to manufacture computer parts in the Limerick area.
"Our services have to make a margin," Kerins said, pointing out that unlike private companies Rehab has no shareholders and its profits are reinvested in the organisation.
It also benefits from a strong voluntary network and the ability to fundraise.
The private sector, she noted, was moving more into the disability services sector and RehabGroup was now beginning to compete with them for contracts. "I have no problem with that," Kerins said. "I like competition. It's good for everybody."
Running a not-for-profit is no different than running any other business, she reiterated. The not-for-profit world is increasingly being viewed as an important business sector in its own right.
And while Kerins sees potential for growth in RehabGroup's health and social services, employment training and educational services, she has an open mind on what commercial ventures or projects may be next for the organisation.
Though RehabGroup is diverse, it is connected by the idea that everything must provide a service to those with disabilities or the elderly or provide an employment opportunity. But, Kerins says, it's important not to become too diverse and "too broad" so that the organisation loses focus of its mission.
Her goal is not only to grow the not-for-profit group but to continue to provide high quality services that fit the needs of those RehabGroup serves.
Kerins points out that Rehab has a 90 per cent approval rating for its services and 94 per cent brand recognition.
Key to remaining competitive and providing high quality services is the recruitment of dedicated and talented staff. Part of our success comes from "passionate" employees who help create an "entrepreneurial culture", Kerins says.
Recruitment is always a challenge, she acknowledges. It takes an investment of time and energy to find a candidate who is the "right fit".
A strong selling point for RehabGroup was the clear career path it offers employees. She notes that turnover is "very low" and current vacancies consist of newly created positions. Some people have even taken a cut in salary to join, which is "very satisfying to know", she said.
As Kerins takes on her new role at RehabGroup, she hopes to bring an "energy" to the job. The challenges she faces include growing the organisation's services while remaining financially stable. Most importantly, she is committed to her employees and wants to "release the talent" she sees in her staff.
"I won't make a difference on my own," she said. "I'll make a difference as a leader."
Fact File
Name: Angela Kerins
Age: 47
Title: Chief executive designate, RehabGroup
Education: State-certified nurse and midwife
Career: Joined RehabGroup in 1992 and established RehabCare in 1995.
Hobbies: Reading, art, music, current affairs, spending time with family
Family: Married with a teenage daughter and son
Why she's in the news: Recently named head of RehabGroup succeeding Frank Flannery
