Every organization thrives on the dedication of its behind-the-scenes heroes, and Jamal Browne, PCC's Administrative Manager, is a dead ringer for Superman. With his exceptional project management skills and unwavering passion, Jamal navigates challenges with grace, efficiency, and signature eyewear. A key support during PCC’s recent CEO transition, Jamal has a formula to keep PCC running smoothly despite the inevitable snags from change. "Managing projects is all about striking the appropriate balance between structure and flexibility," he explains.

What makes Jamal’s PCC role more remarkable is that it was not an obvious choice. A former air traffic controller in Oklahoma City, Jamal had a career path steering planes through the skies. But he had grown up in the DMV region, part of a loving family that instilled in him and his eight siblings the principles of community involvement and a mission-driven life. It was a home base he wanted to return to, and in the summer of 2023, he did.

Despite having no experience working in a nonprofit, Jamal applied for his current position  when it was posted in the fall of 2023.  "I was drawn to this job because of the mission and the number of intelligent and creative people here,” says Jamal. “I figured my project management abilities would be useful, so when I spotted the job posting, I applied right away." That plunge into an unknown sector led him to discover his true purpose. But he hasn’t strayed too far from his early professional life. His day-to-day involves plenty of proverbial planes in the sky, ensuring everything moves on course and carefully avoiding collisions.

Jamal balances his work life with a passion for fitness, nutrition, and outdoor activities with his faithful friend, Lucky (his pet dog), and partner, Dennis. His own journey to cultivate those interests—and their accompanying well-being—led Jamal toward guiding friends and family in their health pursuits. That passion has turned into a side gig supporting clients on their health and fitness paths as well.
Whether it’s personal coaching or project management, Jamal knows the importance of a strong foundation for maximum impact: “It’s a bit like a fitness routine,” he says. “The more you invest in yourself, the better equipped you are to spot others on their path and support them.”

An unexpected benefit of being an organization with broad reach is our staff can play matchmaker for those who are seeking careers in health care. Take, for instance, the inspiring story of how PCC’s Maria Caro helped Sandra Benitez, an aspiring nurse, take a step closer to achieving her dream by connecting her to the Workforce Capacity Program.

Maria works as a Care Manager with the Montgomery Cares Behavioral Health Program at Proyecto Salud Clinic. She promotes teamwork—an essential element to get positive behavioral health outcomes—by engaging with the entire team at Proyecto Salud in open communication and taking interest in personal goals. "I enjoy walking around and checking in on people to see how they are doing. I pay special attention to the young people," Maria explains.

During one of her "walk-arounds," she ran into Sandra Benitez, who worked in the reception area. Sandra had told Maria that she hoped to become a nurse in the future. As luck would have it, Maria had just received an email from Liza Greenberg, PCC Director of Workforce Capacity, regarding the Workforce Capacity Program. PCC's Workforce Capacity Program is a Nexus Montgomery initiative designed to improve health and economic stability of community members while improving health care access. It does that by offering scholarships to county residents like Sandra who want careers in health care. Sandra, according to Maria, possessed all the qualities of a top-tier nurse. She was observant, paid attention to details, kind, skilled at interacting with others, and empathic. According to Maria, "I thought she had all the right characteristics, and when I learned about this program, it made perfect sense for her to apply.”
Sandra did apply and was accepted. She demonstrated remarkable diligence by not only finishing the program but also continuing to work at Proyecto Salud Clinic. She graduated this summer and now works at Holy Cross Hospital. Sandra enjoys caring for patients, demonstrating that with a little guidance and a lot of heart, we can all take a step closer to our goals.

And even though Maria and Proyecto Salud Clinic have lost a valuable team member, Maria is overjoyed that Sandra is now a CNA helping the community. "We will miss her here, but the fact that she is at Holy Cross and she is working as a nursing assistant and may be on the path to becoming a nurse is reward enough." Maria believes that more young professionals would prefer to pursue a career in nursing. It is simply a matter of generating awareness about the opportunity afforded by the Workforce Capacity Program and encouraging them to apply. "By investing in the growth of our young people, we not only uplift them but also create a brighter future for everyone."
​
A grant from the U.S. Department of Labor(DOL)’s Employment and Training Administration funds 92% ($1.3 million) of the cost to train 200 healthcare workers and increase Montgomery College training capacity between December 2023 and November 2025. Non-governmental funds, including support from Maryland Physicians Care, support 8% ($116,566) of these costs. Additional workforce capacity efforts have been supported by WorkSource Montgomery, Maryland Physicians Care, and the Maryland Department of Labor.