Faces of Careforth: Damien Wimbush

Every partnership is an opportunity to reach another caregiver who could benefit from support. Helping those relationships grow is Senior Relationship Manager Damien Wimbush, whose work bridges business strategy with meaningful impact for families.

Nearly nine years into his Careforth journey, Damien has become a vital piece of our Health Plan Partnerships team as part relationship builder, part analyst, and part storyteller. In this Q&A, he tells his story in his own words.

What is your role and how long have you worked at Careforth?

I’m a Senior Relationship Manager on our Health Plan Partnerships team, and I’m about to kick off my ninth year at Careforth. In simple terms, I’m the main point of contact for a few of our health plan clients. I own those relationships end to end by contracting, conducting quarterly business reviews, evaluating program performance, and making sure what we promised comes to fruition for our partners and the caregivers we serve.

What inspired you to join our team?

The mission was an important part of it. I’ve worked in consultative and relationship-driven roles in the past, but there’s a real difference between managing an account and managing one that is genuinely improving people’s lives. Careforth sits right at that intersection of real business, real partnerships, and real numbers. At the end of the chain, there’s a family caregiver who’s a little less overwhelmed because of the work we do. That combination is rare, and it’s what pulled me in and keeps me here.

How do you support families and caregivers in your role, and why is it important?

My job is making sure the programs that reach caregivers and their families actually run well. Whether I’m working on a contract, preparing a quarterly business review, or working with our partners to refer more caregivers into the program, I’m really working to get support in front of more families, faster. And it matters because caregiving is often lonely, and every operational detail I get right means another caregiver gets connected to a coach who has their back.

How does your work contribute to Careforth’s mission and values?

My clients are health plans, but our mission is caregivers, so a big part of my job is keeping those two things pointed in the same direction. Strong, trusted partnerships are what allow our programs to exist and grow in the first place. When I strengthen our relationship with our partners, I’m not just protecting an account, I’m expanding the runway for more caregivers to get the support they need when they need it. They may not need it now, but that may change down the road, and I want to maintain our good standing with our partners to be able to offer them that support.

What’s something interesting about your job that people may not know?

How much of it comes down to translation. I spend a lot of time turning raw data, enrollment funnels, reach rates, and conversion numbers into a story we can use to grow the business. This data helps show our health plan partners just how much our caregiver program supports their members. There’s a surprising amount of detective work in figuring out what the numbers are really telling us. I’m part relationship manager, part analyst, part storyteller, and when you throw some technology into the mix, that blend is exactly what keeps the job interesting for me.

How do you maintain a positive work-life balance in this field?

Boundaries and a good calendar. This work can be all-consuming if you let it, so I try to be genuinely present when I’m on and genuinely off when I’m off. There’s a nice irony to it, too, because being in the caregiver support space is a constant reminder that protecting your own well-being isn’t optional. 

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in the healthcare space?

Get comfortable with complexity and stay curious. Healthcare is layered with regulations, data, clinical jargon, and competing priorities. The people who thrive are the ones who keep asking questions and stay open to learning. I’m a “why” and a “how” person, and I think it’s served me well. I don’t believe you should ever lose the path back to the human at the end of it all. If you can hold both the details and the “why it matters,” you will do just fine.

What is one fun fact about you that your colleagues may not know about?

In what feels like a couple of lifetimes ago, I was a competitive downhill mountain biker. I still love getting out on the bike, I just don’t hit the lift for downhill much these days. Although, full disclosure, I have a trip planned for the end of the summer, so old habits clearly die hard.

What is your favorite quote?

This is one shared with me by my buddy and colleague Saran Craig: “There are only four kinds of people in the world, those who have been caregivers, those who are caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.” — Rosalynn Carter. It captures exactly why what we do matters perfectly.

At Careforth, we strive to provide the resources and connections that ensure caregivers feel supported throughout their caregiving journey. If you’re inspired by Damien’s story and want to be a part of a team that leads with heart, cultivates trust, and goes beyond, visit our Careers page to learn more and explore our current openings.