Those who work alongside Sheryl Hagemann describe her the same way: thoughtful, deeply dedicated, and someone who leads with both care and conviction. As Hope Services’ South District Director, Sheryl brings 24 years of experience and every one of them shows.

She started as an aide, working one-on-one with participants, and grew through roles as a program coordinator and manager before stepping into her current position. That experience is the foundation of who she is as a leader. She understands the needs of the people Hope serves because she has walked alongside them, and that perspective shapes every decision she makes.

A Role That Covers a Lot of Ground

Sheryl’s work spans a range of responsibilities. On any given day, she might be managing federal contracts with partners like the Department of Defense and JOI, while also overseeing programs stretching from Santa Cruz to Monterey, Salinas, and Seaside. She invests deeply in the people she leads, building strong team culture, supporting skill development, and equipping managers and coordinators with tools around self-care and emotional intelligence. The ripple effect of that investment flows directly to the participants they serve.

For Sheryl, dignity is found in the details. She believes participants deserve environments that are as welcoming and thoughtfully maintained as any workplace or community space. Whether championing larger improvements like murals and accessible gardens or making smaller enhancements that brighten a participant’s day, she understands that every detail sends a message: you belong here, and you are valued. That same spirit led her to go above and beyond for a holiday celebration, complete with a chocolate fountain, and to connect with the Santa Cruz Warriors to bring a group of participants to a live basketball game.

Rooted in the Community

Living in the South District gives Sheryl a unique understanding of the communities Hope serves.

She recognizes that many rural communities face economic challenges and that building trust takes time, consistency, and genuine relationships.

That local perspective inspired one of her favorite initiatives. Knowing that many older adults in the region struggle with food insecurity, she helped build funding into the budget to provide warm lunches at the senior center while partnering with local teens learning culinary skills to help prepare meals.

It’s a solution that strengthens multiple generations at once: supporting seniors, creating opportunities for young people, and bringing the community together around a shared purpose.

That’s the kind of leadership Sheryl brings every day: finding solutions that benefit everyone.

Looking Ahead

Even while managing the demands of today, Sheryl is already planning for 2030. She has been selected to participate in Leadership Santa Cruz, an honor her colleagues speak of with genuine pride, where she will work on a capstone project that reflects her continued commitment to the region she serves.

Twenty-four years in, Sheryl Hagemann is still planting seeds. Hope Services is better for it, and so is the South District.