Meet Nancy Marie Thérèse Manigat: An Inspiration to Many

Walking into a small coffee shop is a woman with defined, naturally curly hair, wearing a long-sleeved grey shirt and khakis. She has a slight smile and a look of wonder as she thinks of her next move. Right behind her is a little girl with long straight black hair wearing workout clothes, a grey sweatshirt, black tights, and a black backpack. The woman is grabbing a beverage after a productive day with her daughter on a Saturday afternoon. This woman is Nancy Marie Thérèse, the only black woman in the top 50 women of Long Island, along with her 11-year-old daughter. Her daughter picks a table and sits down as she goes to the barista and orders a Frappuccino for her daughter and black coffee for herself. The woman pays her tab, grabs both drinks, sits next to her daughter, and shares the long story of her career path.

Manigat is the Chief Program Officer of Central Nassau Guidance and Counseling Services, Inc., a non-profit organization serving Long Island Residents with behavioral health needs. She has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare and social work business. As Chief Program Officer, Manigat oversees the operations of the agency and the programs. Manigat says, "I have directors under me to do the day-to-day operation of the actual programs, the clinical and budgetary oversight. I am their supervisor. I ensure that everybody is in line with what we're supposed to do to provide quality care to the mentally ill population. Our goal is to provide a continuum of care." She continues by sharing the pros of the agency, "In our agency, we can go from one level of care to another and not have to leave the agency. Not have to leave the comfort of the people you know. It leads to better cohesiveness and collaboration." Manigat's goal is to promote recovery, "I don't think someone with mental illness should be put on the side. You can contribute to society because it's like any other illness, such as diabetes or heart disease. They (the mentally ill) can be productive and have meaningful relationships. It's my job that our programs meet the goals of our mission and provide high-quality care that impacts people's lives."

Raised by Haitian Immigrants, she was the first of her family to be born in America. Manigat was born and raised in Queens, New York. She is grateful every time she has a job because when she was younger, she remembers her father being unable to find a job because of the color of his skin. Her family moved to the United States during segregation, racism, and the language barrier made it hard for him to find a job. She remembers her family struggling; her father's experience is one of the things that motivates her to be successful. "I am always grateful to have a job." As she started her career, her father asked, "Why did you go into the business of human suffering?" She told him without hesitation, "Because it's my calling." Her opinion on Social Work is that "You must want to be in this business. It's not easy. You have to want to be able to touch people's lives. I never wanted people to feel alone in the world." Manigat could not be happier in her career, "My passion is operation. I'm content with where I am." She continued, "When I joined CN Guidance, we were a 13 million-dollar company. I don't want to move to a bigger company or be a CEO. I know what a CEO does; that's not what I want."

Long Island Business News launched, in 2000, the Top 50 Women in Business program recognizing the Island's top women professionals for mentoring, community involvement, and business acumen. Co-workers and employers nominate these women, and a judging committee selects honorees. Manigat, set by her employer, is the only black woman of the top 50 women of Long Island. This situation is no surprise to her, "I think everything happens for a reason. I was in the City in a court profit consulting prompt. The product was to build technology so couples experiencing infertility could have babies. At that time, I was pregnant with my daughter Simone, and after 9/11, I could not picture myself from that side of the bridge with my daughter on the other side. I took a huge paycheck cutback to return to a non-profit organization. I purposely looked for a job in Long Island." Manigat said she didn't understand what was happening in Long Island then, adding, "It was a different atmosphere at the time. But I did notice that even in my position as Director of Mental Health Outpatient at the profit agency, the chance of seeing someone who looked like me in a meeting was slim." Coming from a city where everything is so multicultural, she was surprised, "I was shocked. I had to be very aware of my role and actions for a long time because of who I am and my skin color. Until the people, I was around got to know me. The higher I got, the fewer and fewer people that looked like me were around."

She believes that if someone is trying to embark on the social service and healthcare industry, they must "really want it." Being a social worker is emotionally draining for anybody. "When I first started," she said, "I was going to tough neighborhoods. You never know who you will meet or what you will see. I've been in scary situations." She added, "I was also in contact with young girls who have been abused, molested. Hearing all this trauma, even if you don't experience it first hand, affects you too." It takes a lot of dedication and determination to succeed as a social worker.

From college students trying to find their passion or entering the workforce, to people looking for their passion, she tells them to "try everything." She continues to say, "find what will make you feel accomplished and give you butterflies. You'll know when you find it." As for graduates entering the workforce, "a job is a job, be grateful and keep working hard for what you want." Also, she wants students to know that "you always have to give the best impression. When leaving a job, people will always remember their last impression of you."