Q WHEN DID YOUR PASSION FOR WORKING WITH THE SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY START?
I’m now the Senior Director of Sales & Marketing at Seasons, a retirement community located in Kenwood that offers independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing and rehab. Although I’ve been working here for nine years, I’ve been involved with Seasons since it was built in 1987 because my grandmother was one of the first people to live here. She sparked my interest and love of helping seniors.
Q HOW ARE YOU COLLABORATING WITH OTHER BUSINESS LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITY?
It takes a village to support a village. I recently chaired the 55 North Star Soirée, an organization that works with seniors 55 and older to bring technology, meals and transportation to help combat isolation. I’m also part of the committee working with the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Cincinnati on their annual Art of Making Memories gala in May 2023. I work with a group called the Senior Advocate Action Group, founded by Ali Puckett, which helps provide services to at-risk seniors. We put together blessing boxes, fill mobile food pantries, and give flowers to individuals in lower-income nursing homes on Mother’s Day.
Q WHAT’S BEEN THE BIGGEST LIFE LESSON YOU’VE EVER ENCOUNTERED?
In 2020, when COVID was at its peak, I had to unlearn everything I knew. I had to develop or dust off skill sets I hadn’t used since I was in school. It was a complete paradigm shift as everything became more about safety and doing things virtually. During the pandemic, the entire world from age 90 to 9 was using Zoom, Skype or FaceTime to communicate. I had to change my approach completely to do an effective job. Whenever you think you know what you’re doing, the world throws you a curveball. Even though it was a hard, emotional and frustrating time, the gift we got was finding out we all can adapt, change and grow.
Q WHAT’S THE SECRET TO WORKING EFFECTIVELY WITH OTHERS?
It’s knowing your strengths but also trusting in the guidance and expertise of others. I may have the beginning of an idea, but when I brainstorm with others, it goes in a completely different and far more creative or imaginative avenue. You don’t have to be the one who leads everything. Sometimes following is where the best ideas come from because you’re allowing the entire group to come together in this amazing human experience, and something beautiful comes from it.