With Toward Maximum Independence (TMI) for more than 28 years, Director of Computer and Information Systems Sandra Eddy is also our office interior designer extraordinaire. She shared with us a little bit about her background and what inspires her:
Q. What interested you about working at TMI?
A. TMI was using Apple computers and I was experienced with them. I also wanted to work for a mom and pop company that I could help grow.
Q. Where were you working previously?
A. John Burnham and Company in Downtown San Diego. I was a small fish in a big pond. It just wasn’t for me!
Q. What is your favorite thing about working at TMI?
A. The family atmosphere, as well as making a difference where my creativity and skills were and still are celebrated and depended upon as a valuable part of a team. To me, that’s what keeps people at ANY company. It’s not always about the money!
Q. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
A. Hanging out with family and friends, spending time with our granddaughters. My husband, Steve, and I love having people over to our home “Eddy Ranch” – One of our life’s joys that we have been lovingly restoring since we bought it about 10 years ago.
(Sandra with her daughter, Holly, grandchildren Madison and Kennedi, and her husband, Steve)
Q. What are your hopes for the future of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities?
A. That the communities we live in, our workplaces, our schools and businesses continue to become increasingly aware and grow ever more closely knit in a way that opens arms and lovingly accepts, celebrates and enjoys all unique and diverse people.
Q. How does working at a company that is making a difference in the lives of our clients make you feel?
A. Incredibly blessed and so fortunate. I have met so many amazing people who have come through the agency’s doors; and a few of them became life-long friendships.
Q. Who do you admire? Why?
A. One of my top 10 is Eleanor Roosevelt. As a women living in her time she was an inspiring and profound first lady of our country; a woman who took risks by standing up and speaking out for the causes she believed in and she did so with a beautiful strength of character and a clear and truthful mind!
Q. What is a quote that is meaningful to you?
A. Actually, it is one of Eleanor’s quotes: “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people." I think that’s on my email signature! LOL…but it’s so true!
(Our San Diego office administrative lobby designed by Sandra)
Q. When did you first become interested in office design?
A. That is hard to pinpoint really. I would move stuff around in my bedroom when I was very young. I loved to clean house, it was calming to me. I have just always loved the way objects (furniture and décor) come together when you arrange them. It isn’t just how it “looks” to me – rather it is the feeling or emotion the space invokes in us when we walk into it that I’ve always felt a profound satisfaction in.
(Sandra's beautifully decorated home)
Q. What inspires you when you design?
A. Space, the blank canvas in which my mind’s eye somehow sees the finished painting. I really can see finished space in my mind like I’m looking at a picture. It’s a little freaky! LOL!
Q. What are your plans in retirement?
A. If the good Lord sees fit, I hope to have a few years working with the gift I was given and do design and décor for homes and businesses. Oh and maybe become a social media success at my age where I’m loved for being “the funny, hyper lady with awesome design skills!”
Words Sandra lives by: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt
Thank you, Sandra, for all you have done for TMI over the years and for giving our office space style and a home away from home vibe!
Toward Maximum Independence (TMI) has been transforming the lives of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1981 and those who are deaf and hard of hearing since 2000. Like all of us, our clients are born with hopes, dreams and the drive to contribute to society. TMI strives to help our clients to realize their hopes and dreams by providing Employment Solutions, Community Living Services and Family Support Services throughout San Diego, Riverside and Imperial Counties.