“I hope that we’re normalizing asking for help, needing help, wanting help, and not being okay – that we’re normalizing raising your hand and getting the support that you need.”
For Nadia Guerriero, a great leader holds space for the health and well-being of her community.
Having grown up in Colorado, she left the state 20 years ago to live and work in Southern California and eventually landed in Reno, Nevada, but she always knew she would someday return to make a positive impact.
For 12 years, Nadia held leadership roles at Northstar California Resort in Lake Tahoe. Her last three years at the resort consisted of serving as the organization’s vice president and general manager. Two and a half years ago, the opportunity emerged for Nadia to take over as chief operating officer at Beaver Creek Resort. It didn’t take long before she’d distinguished herself as a facilitator and force in the Vail Resorts community.
Creating a Space to Ask For Help
At the heart of Nadia’s leadership lies her deep commitment to the mental health of Beaver Creek’s staff.
“When I think about our employees, I think about each of them as a full person,” says Nadia. “Not just what they can do here at Beaver Creek for us, but what we can do to support them in their overall health and wellness.”
At Beaver Creek, she and her team identify organizations doing crucial work in the community and invite them to join manager meetings to discuss their efforts. Nadia prioritizes bringing her team into direct contact with local behavioral health organizations, such as Eagle Valley Behavioral Health (EVBH), SpeakUp ReachOut, and The Hope Center of the Eagle River Valley.
By holding space for local groups to introduce themselves and their programs to her staff, and encouraging those organizations to share the best ways for individuals to reach out and connect to them for help, Nadia ensures that her employees have a direct line to resources and aid.
“It’s satisfying and gratifying when I get to talk about mental health with my teams of employees and bring in organizations to share about all the resources that are available for them,” describes Nadia. “The employees understand ways to get support – if and when they need it.”
Through this process, Nadia learned that eradicating the stigma around behavioral health improves employee outcomes in the workplace.
“I think the stigma around asking for help is a big problem,” she explains. “I hope that we’re normalizing asking for help, needing help, wanting help, and not being okay – that we’re normalizing raising your hand and getting the support that you need.”
Giving Back in Many Ways
Nadia’s commitment to behavioral health stretches beyond her role at Beaver Creek. She also serves as a dedicated member on Vail Health’s Eagle Valley Behavioral Health board and appreciates how the organization is working across our broader community to “put the puzzle pieces together” by ensuring synergy between our valley’s residents and workers and the many behavioral health resources available.
In addition to holding her board position, Nadia generously supports EVBH through recurring monthly gifts to Vail Health Foundation’s Turning Point program.
“If I’m going to be part of this organization and part of this community, I want to also give in a financial way,” says Nadia. “I’m grateful to be able to do that. The commitment of time is one thing, but money is also required to support our programs.”
Nadia hopes that others will model her philanthropic approach and recognize that inspiring a healthy lifestyle in one’s community – and improving the lifestyle of employees and neighbors alike – begins with supporting mental health services.
For Nadia, there’s no limit to what we can accomplish together. “The most important thing for me in being a female leader is showing other up-and-coming female leaders what’s possible.”
While the Vail Resorts community has significantly benefited from her return, Nadia and her husband, and their 12-year-old daughter and West Highland Terrier pup, Posie, are benefiting from all Colorado has to offer. From skiing to fly-fishing on the Colorado River to mountain biking—their family has been enjoying the healthy, outdoor lifestyle and the many days of sunshine that has made the move to the Vail Valley even more wonderful.
“If I’m going to be part of this organization and part of this community, I want to also give in a financial way. I’m grateful to be able to do that.”Nadia Guerriero