Embrace Employee Spotlight: Jen O’Neil and Alexandra Fortin

There’s a lot to love about Embrace Home Loans, but one of our strongest assets has always been our employees. We have teammates who have been with us for 10, 20, even 30+ years. And we’ve also been hiring new employees at a furious pace recently.

In this Employee Spotlight, we’ll be featuring two Embrace teammates — one new employee, and one employee who has already been with us for a while. Each will give different perspectives on the Embrace experience and a little more personal info so you’ll be able to get to know them better.

Want to nominate someone to feature in a future spotlight? Email Mary Mack at [email protected]

ALEXANDRA FORTIN, Creative Marketing Assistant

What is your official title and what do you do at Embrace?

I’m the Creative Marketing Assistant.

Editor’s note: Watch Alex in our series of helpful videos for first-time homebuyers!

What made you want to work at Embrace?

The people! Feels like one big family!

How has it been starting a new job at Embrace during COVID?

Working through COVID at Embrace, I could not feel more safe and taken care of. The company follows CDC guidelines and is so accommodating to each individual’s needs. 

What did you do for a living before you came to Embrace?

Before working here I was a care provider for children and the elderly. I do not miss it!!

We’d love to get to know you a little better! Tell us about yourself.

I love Chipotle. I love going to the theater. I love quality time with friends. I live alone with just myself and a blind cat. I got the Hallmark brand mini Christmas tree. Send me ornaments.

JEN O’NEIL, Communications Director

What is your official title and what do you do at Embrace?

My official title is Communications Director. I work on marketing strategy, recruitment & fulfillment efforts, PR, national & local awards, large corporate events, and manage the marketing for our Ameriprise Financial partnership. I love coming up with creative ideas for campaigns and events, and even creatively solving problems, hopefully improving upon what we already do.

How long have you worked for Embrace?

I have worked for Embrace for over 12 years.

What made you want to work at Embrace?

When I interviewed with Dana Fortin, it just felt like a nice fit. We had fun talking about projects and ideas from the start. And, everyone seemed friendly and welcoming. I have encouraged others to join Embrace over the years as well.

What’s one of your favorite Embrace memories?

There are too many to list! I have always enjoyed our marketing brainstorming meetings, events, and holiday gatherings. One Embrace memory that I have is when the ice cream truck showed up and I had my young daughter in the office with me while working on a tight deadline for a project. Our CEO Dennis Hardiman asked if she would like to go for ice cream and if it was ok if he took her. I looked out the window and saw them running together toward the truck — like they were both little kids.

How has it been working from home? Has Embrace made it easier for you in any way? Are you back in the office now?

Honestly, I love working from home. I get so much done. I tend to be a quiet person and get into my work so being home suits me. With that said, I do miss my work friends, but we have remained in contact online and I don’t feel like COVID took anything away from our relationships. In marketing, we are empowered to do our jobs and come up with new ideas to test. That trust allows for creativity to flourish. I did miss the large-scale events, though. Virtual events are just eh. I missed planning all the big events we usually had.

Currently, I am back at times, but located in the warehouse when I do come in. Our fulfillment team works there in 110 (near the gym) and I go in to work with them occasionally. And, of course, I’m in all this week for the holiday party. Hope you all enjoy the new surprises this year! It’s bigger than 2019 and designed with COVID safety measures in mind.

We’d love to get to know you a little better! Tell us about yourself.

I am married to Louie who many have seen around at work and at work events (and maybe heard whistling or singing — sorry!) and we have a beautiful, kind, and creative 14-year-old daughter, Norah. We also have two dogs — Charlie, a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel mix, and Oliver, an Australian Cattle Dog who is a COVID puppy … very, very much a puppy. We live in Portsmouth and love it there.

I grew up in Riverside and went to Rhode Island College for my degree in Art – Graphic Design. After that, I took advertising design and website design classes at RISD at night. I love to cook for people when I’m not working (which makes Thanksgiving my favorite holiday!) and love to cook with Norah and see her expand her skills. We live a quiet little life, hanging out together at home, which I love.