Dawn took the helm as Silver Linings Transitions Manager in 2021, and since then, both client retention rates and satisfaction levels have soared under her leadership. Her journey to our team began with a Facebook post about the business, but her path here was shaped by deeply personal experience—after her mother passed away, Dawn made the meaningful decision to leave her career as an Account Executive in footwear sales to focus on her daughters.
Drawing from her background as a footwear manager at Nordstrom, Dawn brings exceptional customer service skills to every client interaction, expertly keeping families calm while managing all the complex logistics of their moves. Her genuine passion for helping others shines through in the strong relationships she builds with each client, making even the most stressful transitions feel manageable.
As a single mom, Dawn’s life has been beautifully busy—though she’s graduated from the constant carpooling days now that she has one daughter in college and one in high school. When she’s not leading our team or supporting clients, Dawn enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, listening to music, indulging in Mexican food, and transforming her home into a festive wonderland for every holiday. Her ability to balance leadership, motherhood, and her zest for life exemplifies the caring, organized approach she brings to helping families navigate their own life transitions.
Employee of the Year 2020
Christine brings more than 30 years of estate sale expertise to Silver Linings Transitions, with an extraordinary eye for discovering hidden treasures that others might overlook—from first edition books to paintings worth thousands of dollars. Her journey with our team began years ago when she met Jami at an estate sale for a mutual client, sparking a partnership that would prove invaluable to countless families.
As our Senior Team Lead, Christine is often the first person clients meet, bringing her artistic vision to create thoughtful space plans for their new homes. Her dual expertise in maximizing the value of belongings through estate evaluation and her impressive list of resources in the resale market ensure clients can make the most money possible from items they choose not to keep.
Beyond her professional skills, Christine is an award-winning Plein Air artist who travels throughout the world capturing stunning landscapes on canvas. She generously shares her artistic passion by teaching art to local organizations and leading ‘Paint and Sip” parties for our senior community partners and previous clients. When she’s not creating art or helping families through transitions, you’ll find this avid hiker exploring trails or competing on the pickleball court—bringing the same energy and enthusiasm to her personal pursuits that makes her such a beloved team member and trusted guide for our clients.
Employee of the Year 2022
Joe was unanimously elected Employee of the Year—a testament to his incredible ability to make everyone’s lives easier, every single day. He’s the reliable backbone of our operations, arriving with the company van whenever and wherever he’s needed, whether it’s picking up and dropping off supplies, hauling away trash, hanging pictures, or making donation runs.
There’s virtually nothing Joe won’t do to keep our team running smoothly. His attention to detail is evident in how he maintains both the company van and supply unit in immaculate condition, treating our shared resources with the same care he brings to every task. Joe’s willingness to jump in wherever help is needed—combined with his consistently positive attitude—makes him an invaluable team member who truly embodies the spirit of service.
Beyond his professional contributions, Joe is a devoted father and husband who brings the same reliability and care to his family life that makes him such a treasured colleague. His ability to balance his many responsibilities while always being ready to lend a helping hand reflects the character that earned him that well-deserved unanimous recognition from his teammates.
Employee of the Year 2024
Beth discovered Silver Linings Transitions through a perfect combination of timing and friendship—when a friend who knew about her passion for organizing and working with seniors spotted our Facebook ad. Her journey to our team felt even more meant to be when we learned she had previously worked alongside Dawn as a manager at Nordstrom, bringing valuable customer service experience to her role.
Beth has a remarkable gift for bringing order to chaos, particularly helping clients who’ve recently moved and find themselves overwhelmed by countless boxes. Her talent for organization extends beyond residential work—she also brings office management experience that enhances her ability to create functional, efficient systems for any space.
When she’s not transforming homes, Beth dedicates her time to meaningful community work. She helps families navigate co-parenting during divorce proceedings and volunteers with a heartwarming initiative that rescues flowers destined for disposal from grocery stores, delivering them to hospitals and others who could use the simple joy of fresh blooms.
Malea’s connection to Silver Linings Transitions began through the beautiful randomness of teenage friendship—when her youngest child became friends with the company owner’s child during their sophomore year of high school. As a San Diego native with experience as a project manager and a passion for ceramics artistry, Malea was ready to return to work as her youngest of three children reached high school.
What immediately drew Malea to our team was the energizing combination of organizing and helping people in whatever capacity they need—something that truly “gets her blood pumping.” Her enthusiasm was evident from her very first conversation with us, as she recognized the same passion in the team we’ve carefully curated over the years.
Malea’s project management background brings valuable organizational skills to our clients’ transitions, while her artistic sensibilities as a ceramics artist add a creative perspective to space planning and home staging. Her natural fit with our team culture and genuine excitement about our mission to help people through life’s changes makes her a wonderful addition to the Silver Linings Transitions family.
Michele brings a wealth of experience from her previous career as an events planner, skills she set aside to dedicate herself to being a stay-at-home mom. When her marriage ended and she needed to return to the workforce, she discovered Silver Linings Transitions and was immediately drawn to our supportive environment and job flexibility—exactly what she needed during her own major life transition.
A graduate of UC Santa Barbara, Michele has quickly become one of our most beloved team members. Her willingness to take on any responsibility and her natural instincts as a true team player make her invaluable to both colleagues and clients alike. Everyone who works with Michele appreciates her positive attitude and reliable nature.
Her background in events planning translates beautifully to helping clients navigate the complex logistics of moving and organizing, while her personal experience with life-changing transitions allows her to connect authentically with families going through similar challenges. Michele’s combination of professional skills, personal resilience, and genuine care for others makes her a perfect fit for our mission of helping people create new beginnings.
Susan’s return to Silver Linings Transitions reflects her desire to work in a truly supportive environment that offers the flexibility she needed to pursue her MSW degree—a goal she embraced once her three children were a bit older. After experiencing full-time work with another company, she chose to come back to a place where her values and life priorities could align.
Susan brings deep compassion to clients navigating major life transitions, particularly those who need extra emotional support during challenging times. Her natural empathy, combined with her growing expertise in social work, allows her to connect with clients on a meaningful level, offering not just practical assistance but genuine understanding and care.
Her ability to balance her educational pursuits with her commitment to our clients demonstrates the same thoughtful approach she brings to every interaction—recognizing that life’s transitions require both practical solutions and emotional support, and that sometimes the most important thing we can offer is simply being present with someone during their journey.
Kirsten joined our Silver Linings Transitions team this year after discovering us through a Facebook post on a network many team members use to find resources and opportunities. Her timing couldn’t have been more perfect—having finalized her divorce at the beginning of the year, she was ready to transition back into the workforce after dedicating 15 years to being a stay-at-home mom to her three daughters.
What drew Kirsten to our team was the flexibility that allows her to maintain the balance she values most—continuing to volunteer at her children’s schools and supporting their extracurricular activities while building her professional life. Like many of our team members who have faced their own major life transitions, Kirsten found in Silver Linings Transitions the supportive work environment she needed during her own period of significant change.
Her personal experience navigating divorce and reinventing her life brings authentic understanding to the clients she serves, many of whom are going through similar transitions. Kirsten’s ability to balance multiple responsibilities—including another part-time position—while bringing genuine care and empathy to her work makes her a natural fit for helping others create new chapters in their own lives.
Rebecca brings a unique blend of heart, hustle, and an eye for detail to our team — and if anyone truly understands the journey of finding a new home, it’s her. Having lived in nearly 40 homes across Michigan and California in her 46 years, Rebecca knows firsthand that moving is so much more than a change of address.
A graduate of San Diego State University with degrees in Public Administration and Political Science, Rebecca went on to build a successful career in Title and Escrow sales, where she became known for her ability to build lasting client relationships and navigate even the most complex situations with calm and care. Her genuine curiosity about people — across all backgrounds, cultures, and walks of life — makes her someone clients immediately feel at ease with.
For 14 years, Rebecca stepped away from the corporate world to pour herself into raising her two kids, Shane (16) and Layla (13). She led graduation committees, organized school events, and channeled her creativity into hosting and decorating — because when you have a meticulous eye for detail and a passion for design, every gathering becomes an experience. (Fair warning: if you move something on her desk, she *will* notice.)
Now settled in beautiful Encinitas, Rebecca is ready for this exciting new chapter — and she’s bringing her love of people, her detail-obsessed work ethic, and her sunny disposition along for the ride. When she’s not helping clients, you’ll find her traveling, soaking up the sunshine, or discovering her next favorite song.
