CHANGEMAKERS 2023
As the senior living industry juggles staffing and growth challenges, owners, operators and executives are breaking the status quo to adapt and evolve. Many leaders have created leaner operations, have improved efficiency and transformed the way they do business entirely through technology adoption. And even with a light at the end of the tunnel, they continue to push the boundaries of what it means to be leaders in senior living.
Now in its fifth year — 2023 — the Senior Housing News (SHN) Changemakers Series recognizes and celebrates the most innovative and dynamic leaders in the industry today.
From technology and staffing to mergers and acquisitions, these Changemakers are taking risks and embracing innovation to shape the future of senior living. SHN conducted extensive interviews with each of these leaders to gain insight into their unique approaches and strategies, and it is thrilled to share their stories in this special series, sponsored by Yardi.
2023 Changemakers
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Sevy PetrasCEOPriority Life Care
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Doris-Ellie SullivanPresidentRetirement Unlimited, Inc.
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Dan MadsenChairman and CEOLeisure Care
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Sarabeth HansonCEO and PresidentHarbor Retirement Associates
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Leigh Ann BarneyPresident and CEOTrilogy Health Services
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Rod BurkettChairmanGardant Management Solutions
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Doug Dollenberg, Jr.President and CEOBrightview Senior Living
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Jodi GuffeeOwner and Chief Operating OfficerRadiant Senior Living
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Earl ParkerCEOCommonwealth Senior Living
“It gets me excited that we’re at a time now where there are so many people willing and eager to make changes within our industry that we’re no longer the outliers.”
“Change is always tough, even when it’s good for you.”
“A lot of people, perhaps most people, don’t like change. I think as a leader you need to learn to push through and commit and persevere and complete.”
“When you’re being disruptive or you’re making change, I would say the best advice is to be able to invest the time to tell the story as to the why behind the change and the outcome that they should expect with the change.”
“I believe in keeping transparency. I try to be very open. I think the more information you give people, the easier it is for them to understand and change.”
“I think as human beings, we have some built-in resistance to change. I think as businesses, we owe it to our customers to never become extinct. We have to change and be both proactive and reactive to all that internal and external forces that impact our business.”
“I don’t get excited about change, per se, but I’m very comfortable with change. I fundamentally believe that change is an important part of the formula for business success.”
“…risk-takers, I believe, are the ones who affect change and set the path for those who might be fearful to do that.”
“I think change is, to varying degrees, a challenge for everybody. The real thing that you have to identify, which is easier said than done, is that resistance to change impedes our progress or our ability to be successful.”
Check back for the latest 2023 Changemakers
2022 Changemakers
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Joel NelsonPresident and CEOLCS
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Tana GallPresidentMerrill Gardens
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Tom GrapeFounder, Chairman and CEOBenchmark
“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.”