The varied and far-reaching paths Rose Guerrier traveled throughout her life eventually brought her to her new role as PR and Communications Manager at St. John's Hospital/Episcopal Health Services, Inc. (EHS). Along with recently joining the External Affairs team at St. John's Episcopal Hospital, Rose is also a member of the St. John's ICARE Foundation's Advisory Committee.
Much of Rose's "can-do" attitude has been shaped by her early experiences. Born in Haiti, Rose spent part of her early childhood living in Africa when her father, a law professor, chose to relocate to the Congo region and teach. Rose and her family also traveled throughout several European countries before moving to the U.S. The family lived in Brooklyn before settling in the Rockaways. Rose became familiar with the peninsula's varied neighborhoods and St. John's Episcopal Hospital there, and still calls the Rockaways home.
Rose acknowledges her love for the arts, from drawing to dancing. "I was always involved in the arts in some way since I was a young child. But the arts weren't a career choice my parents approved of. They preferred studying medicine, law, or engineering." Despite this, Rose forged her professional path, first in high school when she was awarded a scholarship to study fashion illustration and design at Parsons School of Design.
Rose's career life has been multifaceted and ever-evolving. Her advertising work in producing commercials for Macy's, as well as other communications roles, brought her into contact with media and community relations. She says working with community residents, leadership, and elected officials "stuck with me because of my love for helping others and advocating for those less fortunate." Rose's career then transitioned from fashion to community and public relations, advocacy, and events. As she became more involved in humanitarian work, Rose understood how applying her efforts internationally helped her gain exposure to different cultures.
With this and her position within government agencies throughout New York City's five boroughs, Rose brought her relationship-building skills to "my own little town of Rockaway," adding, "For the last few years, I've been putting my energy into supporting the community. I was voted board chair two years ago for the Rockaway Business Alliance to help build and bring more clients in, so we're not just a 'summer' place, but vital all year round." One initiative Rose started is called "1 Rock," which seeks to unite the separate peninsula communities, such as Rockaway Beach, Rockaway Park, and Far Rockaway, and help foster the idea that the areas make up one peninsula. However, each community may have varying needs. "It's not easy, but we need to be resilient, strong, and work in unity to move forward." Rose has received numerous awards from various government officials for her tireless work within New York City and beyond.
Commenting on her work with the ICARE Foundation, Rose is appreciative of all it does, saying, "I'm a big supporter and will do everything I can to help the committee get what it needs so the Foundation can carry out its work." Before her employment with St. John's, Rose met Nancy Leghart, the Executive Director of ICARE, who, at the time, was working on introducing a music program to the hospital. Rose and Nancy formed a partnership to bring Healing2Music to St. John's. "Nancy and I are on the same philanthropic path," Rose says, calling their alliance "the perfect fit."
Rose is emphatic in her belief in spreading peace and unity and in doing all she does with love. She lives by several mottos, "Spread love, it's the only way" and "Love in your heart wasn't put there to stay, love isn't love 'til you give it away." Rose is passionate in all aspects of her life, including her family. She has one daughter and two grandchildren, who she calls "the loves of my life."
