Maireni Salas has built a distinguished career through strategic leadership and transformative impact across various sectors. Starting her journey in youth development, she transitioned into executive roles in healthcare management.
As chief operating officer at Novelle Health, Salas played a pivotal role in guiding the organization through strategic transformations, improving operational efficiency, and securing substantial grants during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also led the expansion and growth of MVS-Flagship Veterinary Partners by over 35% during the pandemic.
Now, as she transitions to Family First Homecare, she aims to leverage her extensive experience to drive the organization to new heights. Family First Homecare aims to provide high-quality, compassionate home healthcare services, with a particular focus on pediatric care. The organization’s goal is to help medically fragile children live fulfilling lives at home through personalized care.
“Her ability to lead organizations through significant growth, secure substantial funding, and implement innovative solutions sets her apart,” said Salas’ colleagues. “Maireni’s dedication to improving healthcare outcomes and her visionary approach to leadership have earned her recognition and respect in the industry.”
The achievement Salas is most proud of is her unwavering commitment to remembering where she came from, no matter how high she climbed up the ladder of success. Born in the Dominican Republic under very poor conditions and growing up in the Bronx, she was a proud member of a youth development organization at a very young age.
A nonprofit invested in her as a young adult, and she vowed to continue the legacy by helping underprivileged children have access to better education. Throughout her career, she has founded numerous youth leadership programs and internship programs for junior high school, high school, and college students. She has also sat on various boards of youth development organizations.
In her leadership role, Salas said she relies on her ability to build and empower high-performing teams by finding the gold in people, even in the most complex situations. “I approach challenges with a glass-half-full perspective, always looking for the silver lining and the lessons to be learned,” she said. “I have a unique talent for viewing issues through multiple lenses—magnifying glass, telescope, and microscope—allowing me to see both the big picture and the finer details. This ability enables me to identify the strengths in individuals and align them with the right roles to maximize their potential.”
