Movers & Shakers: Solera Senior Living’s COO

Solera Senior Living Hires COO, Partner

Solera Senior Living hired Dina Kelly as a partner and the COO of the company.

Kelly has spent 15 years in senior living in sales, marketing and operational leadership capacities. Most recently, she served as the senior vice president of sales and marketing for Senior Lifestyle Corp., a national operator with a portfolio of more than 170 communities across 27 states.

Solera Senior Living is a Chicago-based senior housing venture founded in April 2016 to co-develop and operate luxury independent living, assisted living and memory care communities.

“The vision for Solera Senior Living is highly energizing, as it allows me an opportunity to be part of building a next-generation operating model focused on attracting and retaining the best talent and to ultimately deliver the highest quality of services for seniors and their families,” Kelly said.

D2 Architecture Promotes 3 Architects to Associate Principal

D2 Architecture announced the promotions of Josh Williams, AIA; Keith Wilson, AIA; and Siobhan Farvardin Winfrey, AIA, LEEP AP, to associate principal.

“These promotions represent our dedication to the future of D2 and its steadfast commitment to the senior living industry,” D2 Architecture President David Dillard said in a news release. “I know these three, along with our impassioned staff, will ensure our clients and their communities are well-served for decades to come.”

Williams collaborates with clients to achieve their goals, designing and managing multiple types of senior living projects. Wilson aims to foster clear communication throughout the life of a project, nurture growth in each of D2’s project teams and works to serve clients with timely project delivery. Siobhan works with project teams to weave together the disciplines of planning, architecture, interior design and landscape architecture.

D2 Architecture is based in Dallas, Texas and focuses exclusively on senior living projects.

Covenant Village of the Great Lakes Appoints Director of Assisted Living, Associate Executive Director

Covenant Village of the Great Lakes appointed Dan Stegbauer as associate executive director and director of assisted living at the faith-based, not-for-profit continuing care retirement community (CCRC) located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Stegbauer brings a strong background in finance, strategy, development, and team management and building to the new role. As associate executive director, he will assist in the overall operations of the campus, including budgeting and ensuring residents are appropriately progressing through the care continuum. As director of assisted living, he will be responsible for department operations, including resident care, staff development and training, financial management, and program planning and activities.

Before coming to Covenant Village of the Great Lakes, Stegbauer was business development manager for Grand Rapids-based Spectrum Health. He’s also worked as a manager of strategy at Loyola University in Maywood, Illinois, business development associate at Northwestern Memorial Healthcare in Chicago, and National Covenant Properties in Chicago.

“Dan has compassion for residents and their families, and I’m confident his strong business acumen and leadership skills will benefit not only our staff, but our residents,” Executive Director Jana Broughton said in a news release. “We’re excited he has joined our team.”

Lutheran Homes Society Names VP of Post-Acute Services

Lutheran Homes Society (LHS) named Denise Gannon as vice president of post-acute services.

In her new role, Gannon will be responsible for the organizations skilled nursing, long-term care, assisted living, home health and therapy operations throughout northwest Ohio. Gannon joins LHS from Eliza Jennings Senior Care Network in Cleveland, Ohio, where she worked since 1996 in a variety of clinical and operational positions. Most recently, she served as the COO.

“Denise brings a wealth of experience to her new role,” LHS President and CEO Rick Marshall said in a news released. “Her operations experience and vision surrounding our changing post-acute health care environment will make her a valuable addition to our leadership team.”

LHS is a social ministry organization based in Toledo, Ohio.

Ann’s Choice Welcomes New Director of Continuing Care

Ann’s Choice, a CCRC located in Warminster, Pennsylvania and managed by Erickson Living, welcomed Melinda Dechert, NHA, as the community’s director of continuing care.

In the position, Dechert is responsible for the overall management and operations of the continuing care neighborhood, including working closely with residents and families. Before joining the team at Ann’s Choice, Dechert spend 10 years at HCR ManorCare, a provider of short- and long-term medical and rehabilitation care, serving nine years as a nursing home administrator.

“Melinda is a fantastic addition to our Ann’s Choice family,” Executive Director Chris Donati said in a news release. “She is a dedicated and hardworking individual who has gained extensive experience the last nine years as a nursing home administrator. Her expertise in business management and person-centered care will greatly benefit Ann’s Choice residents.”

Ann’s Choice is one of 19 CCRCs managed by Erickson Living. The 103-acre campus is home to more than 2,000 residents.

Renaissance Announces New Executive Director

Renaissance announced Jennifer Butler will be the Tampa, Florida community’s executive director.

Butler has spent more than 12 years overseeing independent living, assisted living and memory care communities across New Jersey. She’s a certified assisted living administrator and obtained her dementia practitioner certification. In her new role, she will focus on maintaining a resident-centered community with first-rate care, services and amenities.

“I vowed to learn as much as I could about the aging process and ways to create quality of life for seniors,” Butler said in a news release. “At Renaissance, I will be focused on ensuring that our associates create memorable moments for residents and help them to preserve their dignity and independence throughout their golden years.”

Renaissance is under new ownership and is now managed by Allegro Management Company, which specializes in independent living, assisted living and memory care.

Written by Kourtney Liepelt