CHANGEMAKERS 2022
Owners, operators and executives continue to navigate some of the most challenging circumstances of their careers, and the evolution of senior living has not only brought monumental change to their organizations, but also to who they are as leaders. Now in its fourth consecutive year, the Senior Housing News (SHN) Changemakers Series has showcased some of the most dynamic leadership senior living has to offer, and the class of 2022 underscores that theme.
From technology and staffing to mergers and acquisitions, the Changemakers of today are pushing the boundaries of risk and innovation to shape the senior living of tomorrow.
These leaders have gone to great lengths to realize the potential of senior living at every level, and SHN conducted in-depth interviews with each one of them to learn how they are driving the industry forward.
The SHN team is proud to share their stories here, in a special series sponsored by Yardi.
2022 Changemakers
-
Joel NelsonPresident and CEOLCS
-
Tana GallPresidentMerrill Gardens
-
Tom GrapeFounder, Chairman and CEOBenchmark
-
Amy SchectmanPresident and CEO2Life Communities
-
Jane Arthur RoslovicCEOTreplus Communities
-
Bryan McCalebPresidentSagora Senior Living
-
Danette OpaczewskiEVP, Resident Experience and COORevel Communities
-
Jesse MarinkoPresident and CEOPhoenix Senior Living
-
Dale WatchowskiPresident and CEOAmerican House, REDICO
-
Wendy NowokunskiCo-Founder and PresidentNorthbridge Companies
-
Jim CoughlinCo-Founder and CEONorthbridge Companies
“Often I’ve found that change comes at the most unexpected times, but I believe that’s what makes our work so meaningful.”
“I don’t take risks for the sake of taking risks, but I will take risks for the sake of solving problems.”
“The best way to drive change is to do it in increments.”
“As I look at my career, the one pattern I can point to is making change and moving agendas along.”
“When you’re trying to drive change, it’s important to evaluate the change relative to the outcome you are trying to make.”
“Change is inevitable, so having the right people working together toward the same goal makes that change more manageable.”
“I didn’t come into senior housing planning to be a changemaker, I came in and said, ‘This is a fascinating business, what can I do to make it better?'”
“If you believe in change, you have to spearhead it because change is never convenient. You’re never going to be ready for change.”
“To be a Changemaker, you don’t necessarily have to embrace risk. Sometimes I believe that doing nothing is the biggest risk.”
“While change is constant, I think we are very good at keeping a pulse on what is going on out there, whether it’s the market, consumer wants and desires or our associates’ needs. That has benefited us both in times of crisis and times of opportunity, and it’s helped us be the best that we can be.”
“While change is constant, I think we are very good at keeping a pulse on what is going on out there, whether it’s the market, consumer wants and desires or our associates’ needs. That has benefited us both in times of crisis and times of opportunity, and it’s helped us be the best that we can be.”
Check back for the latest 2022 Changemakers
2021 Changemakers
-
Terri CunliffePresident & CEOCovenant Living
-
Les StrechPresidentThrive Senior Living
-
Michael JosephPresident & FounderClover Management
“I always say as a common phrase in our organization: ‘Buckle your seatbelt.‘”
“If you just threw the concept of senior living to the wind and actually created amenities for the local community, and then positioned them in such an appealing way that anyone of any age would want to participate, now you’ve got something really special.”
“[Our] greatest achievement is that we focused on a segment of the society that no one else focused on, which was the middle-income, independent living person.”