SVEF FAQ

Pros

Great mission, strong and passionate program managers

Cons

Note: All the prior reviews on this page address the company before its merger with A-Learn and the hiring of a new CEO, Lisa Andrew. The new CEO is problematic. Frenetic leadership style, responds to uncertainty by isolating rather than empowering staff. Hires friends/out of convenience rather than going through a robust recruiting process. Turnover is high, especially in departments she has more contact with. Avoid this company, unless you're isolated from the top.

Advice to Management

Don't underestimate the cost of turnover on morale and the bottom line. Trust your employees. Give constructive feedback. Don't be afraid of the same. You have passionate people working for you, and they're trying to help the company, not threaten your leadership.

Pros

The mission of SVEF is excellent. The employees are committed to the mission.

Cons

(this does not apply to seasonal Faculty). The CEO and workplace are toxic. The CEO does not know how to manage or hire people. She has personally hired several upper level people and had to fire them. People that are excellent at their jobs get called out publicly in meetings and blamed for things beyond their control. Others are put in positions they are not suited for, setting them up for future failure. People are disrespected by upper management and treated as replaceable cogs. Turnover is very high, and not because employees have other opportunities.

Pros

The mission of SVEF is excellent. The employees are committed to the mission.

Cons

(this does not apply to seasonal Faculty). The CEO and workplace are toxic. The CEO does not know how to manage or hire people. She has personally hired several upper level people and had to fire them. People that are excellent at their jobs get called out publicly in meetings and blamed for things beyond their control. Others are put in positions they are not suited for, setting them up for future failure. People are disrespected by upper management and treated as replaceable cogs. Turnover is very high, and not because employees have other opportunities.

Pros

The organization is mission-driven and employees show genuine commitment to the students that they serve. While there is a lack of training procedures, colleagues step up to ensure that you have needed information.

Cons

Little support exists for employees. Positions are not well-defined and leadership has created a culture that leads to extremely high turnover. Before you consider working with this organization, pay attention to reviews from full-time employees and notice the difference between those and the reviews left by contractors who are not in the office day to day.

Advice to Management

Listen to your employees--when they speak out about how they feel, truly honor them by making concrete changes within the organization that involve their voices.

Pros

Great mission, strong and passionate program managers

Cons

Note: All the prior reviews on this page address the company before its merger with A-Learn and the hiring of a new CEO, Lisa Andrew. The new CEO is problematic. Frenetic leadership style, responds to uncertainty by isolating rather than empowering staff. Hires friends/out of convenience rather than going through a robust recruiting process. Turnover is high, especially in departments she has more contact with. Avoid this company, unless you're isolated from the top.

Advice to Management

Don't underestimate the cost of turnover on morale and the bottom line. Trust your employees. Give constructive feedback. Don't be afraid of the same. You have passionate people working for you, and they're trying to help the company, not threaten your leadership.