When the announcement came that Kathleen Albertson had been chosen as the recipient of the Jack D. Ramaley Industry Distinguished Service Award, she was genuinely surprised.

“Lucy (Lee) from Cleaning for a Reason (an ISSA Charity program) called me and said she had nominated me,” Albertson recalled. “Then she sent me the nomination she wrote—and it had me in tears because it was so kind. I wasn’t expecting it, and I’m overjoyed to be the chosen recipient for this year.”

Presented by ISSA, the award recognizes exceptional service, integrity, and a lasting impact on the professional cleaning community. For Albertson, who serves as client relations manager at GDI Services, the honor is more than professional recognition—it’s a reflection of a deeply personal journey that has shaped how she leads, serves, and inspires others.

Turning adversity into advocacy

Albertson’s empathy and strength come from lived experience. “I’m a survivor of domestic abuse,” she said. “When I finally got help and started to heal, I remember thinking, I never want to see another person feel the way I had felt—alone. It made me want to always help others because I knew what it was like not to have someone care enough to reach out.”

That compassion became her compass. Over the years, she has devoted herself to numerous causes, from Cleaning for a Reason—which provides free cleaning services to cancer patients—to Helen’s Angels, a nonprofit offering financial assistance to breast cancer patients. “Sometimes I help a patient get Cleaning for a Reason services and Helen’s Angels support at the same time,” she said. “It’s all about connecting people with what they need most.”

Her volunteerism even led her into the cleaning industry. “I had been planning charity events like Fabulous Shoe Night when the owner of PBS saw my work and said, ‘Hey, we should talk.’ He’d just learned about Cleaning for a Reason and wanted to bring it to our area. That’s how I started in janitorial business development.”

Creating connection through compassion

Albertson’s professional path at GDI reflects her natural ability to build relationships rooted in care and authenticity. “I’m their client relations manager—and that’s exactly what it sounds like,” she said with a smile. “I’m very friendly, I get along with many people, and I just love connecting. At networking events, I’ll talk to anyone in the room. My dad always said I could talk to anyone, and he was right.”

That openness is what drew GDI to her in the first place. “They actually created the client relations position for me,” she said. “They said, ‘We think you’re with the wrong company—we have something for you.’”

Inside GDI, Albertson has found a culture that mirrors her own values. “They care so much about compassionate giving,” she said. “Yesterday we built hug boxes for children at the CHOP (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia). The charity was started by a mother whose child passed away from leukemia. It’s so meaningful to do this as a team—it builds morale, it shows we care, and it reminds us that business can be about more than the bottom line.”

Her approach is simple but powerful: “Be human. Have a sense of humanity. It doesn’t matter how much money you make—a human being is a human being. Sometimes someone just needs another person to care.”

Leading with purpose, not profit

Albertson believes leadership begins with empathy and intention. “Lead with purpose, not just profit,” she said. “Know your why. A compassionate mission attracts loyal clients, inspires employees, and guides your decisions toward positive impact.”

She makes it a point to build empathy into every aspect of her work. “How you treat your staff, how you engage with clients, how you support your community—it all makes a difference,” she said. “Here at GDI, I felt like I belonged right away because they live by those same values.”

Her philosophy also extends to the broader cleaning profession. “I feel that collaboration builds community rather than rivalry,” she explained. “When businesses unite, the entire sector gains respect and credibility. Cleaning isn’t just about hygiene—it’s about caring for people and communities.”

A hopeful view of the future

As the cleaning industry continues to evolve, Albertson sees a positive shift. “Since the pandemic, people realize that cleaning is essential,” she said. “I think that’s one positive thing we gained—recognition that cleaners are as necessary as nurses or doctors because we’re cleaning the spaces they work in.”

She’s also encouraged by what she sees among her peers. “I’ve seen more leaders prioritizing empathy, diversity, and inclusion,” she said. “That inspires the next generation to take pride in service.”

For Albertson, helping others isn’t a task—it’s an identity. “This isn’t just something I do—it’s who I am,” she said. “I plan to keep mentoring others, giving back, and leading with compassion wherever I go. Helping others is the foundation of how I hope to leave the world—a little cleaner, kinder, and better than I found it.”