HDI’s Rising Stars program shines a light on emerging leaders who are already making a remarkable impact in the IT service and support industry. One of this year’s finalists, Savannah Shumbris, exemplifies what it means to lead with heart, determination, and vision.
Savannah serves as Supervisor of Application Support at BAYADA Home Health Care, a mission-driven organization where compassion, excellence, and reliability are core values. In just three short years, she has risen from a first-level support analyst to a people management role, a trajectory that speaks volumes about her drive, adaptability, and natural leadership.
Leading With Compassion and Connection
What makes Savannah stand out is not only her technical expertise, but also her ability to forge meaningful human connections. Colleagues describe her as kind, authentic, and empathetic. They say she’s someone whose positivity brings reassurance and warmth, whether face-to-face or over the phone. Her approach embodies BAYADA’s philosophy of “letting our smiles be seen and felt,” and her energy has a ripple effect across her team and clients alike.
Driving Success in a Major EMR Rollout
Savannah’s leadership took center stage in 2024 when she was tapped to lead a specialized support team during the rollout of a new Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system across 97 skilled nursing sites. The initiative required careful planning, coordination, and execution to ensure a seamless transition.
Under her guidance, the team provided “white glove” support — offering resources, training, and reassurance to staff navigating the change. Savannah worked closely with product managers, practice leadership, and office staff to balance rollout momentum with minimal disruption. By the time the project wrapped up in February 2025, it was hailed as a resounding success, thanks in no small part to her dedication and ability to pair technical precision with genuine care.
Inspiring Her Team to Excel
Since stepping into leadership, Savannah has demonstrated a rare gift for empowering those around her. She invests in the growth of her team, mentoring and equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to deliver exceptional service. The results speak for themselves: in 2024, her team earned an 88.6% customer satisfaction score (the highest on BAYADA’s service desk).
Her influence doesn’t stop at customer outcomes. Employee experience scores under her leadership have consistently remained above 90%. For Savannah, leadership is about lifting others up, and she does so with a blend of high standards, genuine encouragement, and unwavering commitment.
Recognition and Rapid Growth
Savannah’s career path has been nothing short of impressive. After joining BAYADA in late 2021, she advanced to Senior Associate, Application Support in 2023, and then to her current supervisory role just a year later. Along the way, she’s earned recognition beyond her organization as well, becoming a finalist for the HDI Support Analyst of the Year Award (Philadelphia Chapter) in both 2022 and 2023.
These accolades highlight her consistent ability to deliver excellence while building a reputation as a rising leader in the industry.
Why Savannah is a Rising Star
Savannah’s story is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t defined by years in the field, but by impact. In just a few years, she has proven herself as a mentor, a change leader, and a role model who elevates those around her. Her combination of technical know-how, people-first leadership, and relentless positivity make her a standout in this year’s HDI Rising Stars class of Momentum Makers.
Savannah Shumbris is shaping the future of the service and support industry. And if her journey so far is any indication, her star is only just beginning to rise.
Celebrate the Momentum Makers at Service Management World
Savannah and the other Rising Stars finalists will be recognized as HDI Rising Stars Momentum Makers at Service Management World, November 16–20 in Orlando. It’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate emerging leaders, connect with peers, and be inspired by the future of our industry.
Join us in Orlando and save while you’re at it! Use the code JOINUS to get $400 off your registration.