Fostering New Intentions and a Brand New Family

Yardley, PA— On any given day, at or before sunrise, you can find Joy Taylor walking her pup Sadie on backcountry roads near her home in Yardley, Pennsylvania. Early mornings used to be for spin classes at her favorite gym, but since the COVID-19 Pandemic came to town, she has, like many of us, adjusted reluctantly to an updated exercise routine, a new family schedule, and to the way she approaches the business world.

Joy understands and has lived through the roller coaster ride of market uncertainty. A serial entrepreneur, Joy grew her boutique consulting firm to the point when, in 2018, she attracted a larger, global firm named Grant Thornton, who acquired her business and the majority of the firm’s team of 54 professionals. The coronavirus has not slowed her down one bit, in fact, she states, “I am working longer hours and harder than ever before.” However, she has witnessed a shift in her business relationships and in her priorities as a high performing executive. “I worry less about my appearance now, and spend the beginning of my days with more focus and intention because I do not have to race home to put on a suit and makeup after my morning workouts.”

Joy and her work team at Grant Thornton are thriving, and when asked about her secret to this smooth transition, she revealed that she has seen her clients react to the pandemic in two distinctly different ways, one set of clients seem to want to go back to the way they did business pre-pandemic, and are not likely to grasp the power of advancement. The other type of client is working to create a great deal of flexibility in their business practices, and focusing diligently on improving systems. Knowing which kind of client is at hand helps Joy forecast her leadership and mentorship direction. She states “It takes all kinds and I am here to assist businesses through the stages that take them to a more efficient revenue model.”

There is one initiative that has remained a priority for Joy, her relentless push to bolster female-led teams and to create more opportunities for leadership among her women colleagues and associates. Joy nurtured and grew her firm which was predominantly female, but this larger corporation has less diversity. Joy states “It is my primary wish to help elevate the talented women across the firm to cultivate and seek out additional women to increase the diversity and inclusion at Grant Thornton. We are long overdue with expanding our work family with more voices from women.” This goal is more achievable now, because Joy is one of the Executive Supporters for Grant Thornton’s Women Sponsor and Mentoring Program whose purpose is to elevate female talent to the partner and managing director level and helping the organization on its journey towards diversity and inclusion.

Joy’s home life is also getting a refresh. A few weeks ago, Joy and her husband received a call from a foster care agency, and even though they have two teens and two adult children sheltering in place, they immediately opened their home to a sibling group of four teenagers who recently landed in the state foster care system. “It most certainly takes a village, and lending a helping hand means sharing our gifts and talents. Which in this case, is shelter and love.”

Joy described what many of us have been experiencing over the last few months. “Somehow this health crisis has helped me to develop my best self,” stated Joy, “and I think it may be rubbing off on my family and work relationships. I certainly don’t sweat the small stuff anymore and try not to take anything for granted, especially my health.”

Even with a pandemic, a larger workload, and a routine flipped over like a pancake, Joy Taylor and her family have found a way to express grace and gratitude for their good fortune, and in one swoop, doubled the size of their family!

Asked why she decided to take on so much responsibility during COVID, and Joy flashed her signature smile and said “If not us, then who? If not now, then when? The foster care system is in crisis, and this is the least we can do to try to right that ship.”

If you are interested in learning more about the Pennsylvania Foster Care system and how you can become a foster family, please contact Bethany Services or call their global headquarters at 1-800-238-4269.