Keeping a thirteen story building with almost 400 guest rooms in shipshape is a challenge. We are so fortunate that our Executive Housekeeper, Olga Elkind, is up to the task!
Mrs. Elkind’s path to Webster had some unusual twists and turns. She was born in the city of Baku, formerly part of the USSR. There, she attended the university studying air pollution control techniques and worked as a pollution control engineer in a nuclear power station.
When her daughter was seven years old, she and her family emigrated as refugees to the United States. They spoke no English. Ms. Elkind’s daughter learned very quickly and was chatting away after just four months. English did not come as easily to Ms. Elkind who worked hard to become fluent. How? She watched cartoons over and over to learn correct pronunciation and meaning of words. Her favorite? Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. She still loves it!
After attending college courses to learn medical billing, in 1997 Ms. Elkind visited an employment agency. They sent her on her first job interview…to work as a Supervisor in the Housekeeping Department at Webster! How lucky for us! Knowing how important first impressions are, Ms. Elkind bought her first suit for $50. It was worth it! She was hired on the spot and immediately felt part of Webster’s family. In 2001, when our Executive Housekeeper Avice Harper retired, we jumped at the opportunity to promote Ms. Elkind. If I must say so myself, it’s one of the best decisions we ever made.
Ms. Elkind treats Webster with all the love that she treats her own home. She supervises a staff of 35 housekeepers, porters, painters and security guards. Now the mother of a twenty-something daughter, she understands the needs and feelings of our interns, often away from home for the first time. She wants all of our guests to feel happy, cared for, listened to and to feel at home from moment they arrive.
You can visit Ms. Elkind in Room 216. She will do all she can to make sure your stay is as close to perfect as it can be.
