In the Weeds, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the mental health and well-being of restaurant and hospitality workers in Southwest Colorado, has appointed Emilia Majeski to take the place of Blaine Bailey as its executive director.
Before stepping into the role, Majeski spent a year serving as a program manager for the organization. Her experience from her work with the nonprofit was an essential quality that founder and former executive director Blaine Bailey prioritized when selecting his successor.
“This was always part of the plan,” Bailey said in a news release. “From the start, I wanted to build something sustainable that could live beyond me. Emilia has shown time and again that she’s not only capable but also passionate about leading this organization into its next chapter. I couldn’t ask for a better person to take the wheel.”
Prior to joining In the Weeds, Majewski worked in behavioral health at San Juan Basin Public Health, where she focused on supporting youths and young adults in La Plata and Archuleta counties. Her role included facilitating the La Plata County Suicide Prevention Collaborative and leading local initiatives to prevent substance use.
According to the organization’s news release, Majewski was selected for the role because of her commitment to improve community health and her background in the health care industry, aligning with the organization's efforts to address mental health challenges in the hospitality and restaurant sectors.
Through its programs, In the Weeds addresses substance use prevention, provides workforce development opportunities, and creates a sustainable and healthy restaurant community.
In the Weeds began in 2020, at a time when Bailey said the COVID-19 pandemic worsened mental health challenges in the industry, leaving many workers uncertain about job security and struggling to make a living with reduced hours.
Bailey emphasized the importance of selecting a candidate with nonprofit experience and a deep understanding of In the Weeds’ mission.
In an October interview with The Durango Herald, he explained that it was crucial to find someone capable of expanding the organization beyond his own abilities, noting that he lacked both postsecondary education and prior nonprofit experience when he took on the role.
Majewski earned a degree in Public Health from DePaul University in Chicago, with minors in Sociology and Psychology. She then moved to Denver to further her education at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus School of Public Health, where she obtained a Certificate in Public Health.
“We are committed to continuing Blaine’s legacy of advocating for the restaurant and hospitality industry,” Majewski said in the release. “Our goal is to ensure that workers have access to the resources they need to thrive, while also providing tools for businesses to grow and succeed. By tapping into creative funding sources and fostering connections within the community, we can create a more resilient and vibrant hospitality industry in Southwest Colorado.”
Majewski was unavailable for an interview Monday.
Under Majewski’s leadership, the nonprofit will remain dedicated to providing resources for mental health, substance use recovery and professional development, the news release said.
Majewski is also focused on fostering connection through social events like “Grill & Chill,” which offer industry workers a chance to network.
One of Majewski’s top priorities will be enhancing workforce solutions, including assisting workers with job searches and supporting Spanish-speaking employees through the organization's bilingual coordinator.
This initiative will address language barriers and provide training on topics such as harm reduction, setting boundaries, effective communication and wellness, with the goal of supporting employees and employers.
tbrown@durangoherald.com
