Voices in Leadership | LeadingAge Virginia – Details, episodes & analysis

In our Season 3 premiere, Dr. Kristine Theurer, president of JAVA Group Programs, shares how her personal journey of grief inspired her to develop the first standardized peer support interventions for senior living communities. These programs, now implemented in over 2,000 communities, use structured themes and guidelines to create meaningful connections, significantly reducing loneliness and depression among participants. Dr. Theurer highlights research demonstrating increased happiness and decreased health risks for those involved and shares her vision for expanding peer support globally to combat loneliness—not just in senior living but also in schools and caregiver support networks.

In this episode, we hear how three leaders from The Chesapeake are impacting their staff retention efforts, focusing on professional development and why their individual Leadership Academy experiences were so special to each of them. You'll walk away from this episode either wanting to apply for a job, move in or, at the very least, visit their boutique!

On this episode of Voices in Leadership, Christine Fares Walley and Katelyn McCauley from Holleran join Melissa to discuss the importance of personal and professional connection, full-circle moments and a shared passion for our work in aging services. 

In this episode, we get to hear from the culture champions of EveryAge – Lee Syria, President and CEO, and Aimee Reimann, Chief Operating Officer. Learn how they have cultivated incredibly strong leadership and why those leaders stay and gain a deeper knowledge of this incredibly innovative organization.

On this episode, Lynne Giacobbe, Chief Executive Officer of Kendal at Home, and Jeremy Neely, Senior Vice President of Community Operations at ACTS Retirement-Life Communities, Inc. discuss their shared passion for the field of aging services, mentoring, and leadership development. 

In this episode, Melissa interviews two friends and colleagues, DeAnn Akins, Founder and CEO of Octofly Dreams and Libby Bush, President & CEO of Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community. Melissa, DeAnn and Libby are all alums of the LeadingAge national Larry Minnix Leadership Academy and discuss imposter syndrome, transitions, and aligning personal and professional purpose and passion.

On this episode, Melissa is joined by Glen Berkel, Director of Hospitality with EveryAge and LeadingAge Virginia Board member and Todd Andrews, President of Community Living at Asbury Communities. Glen and Todd have been friends and colleagues for the better part of 2 decades and share a common philosophy of “paying it forward” especially when it comes to mentoring and professional development of their colleagues. Prior to joining the not for profit provider side of our field, they worked together at a larger international contracting company. Our conversation explores why they came to the provider side including their perspectives on work life balance. 

How much cross-collaboration exists in your organization? Learn from Dr. Karen Wigginton, Chief Marketing Officer, and Paula Greenhagen, Chief Human Resource Officer, with Sunnyside Communities about how they support their cross-departmental efforts, particularly around new team member recruitment. Thank goodness these two leaders chose our field because their impact stretches far  - as does their excitement for the future of aging services. 

This Voices in Leadership episode highlights two leaders from outside of Virginia. Kelly Papa, President & CEO of Duncaster Retirement Community in Bloomfield, CT and Diana Delgado, President & CEO of Eaton Senior Communities in Lakewood, CO share their perspectives on leadership and you don’t to miss out on their wisdom. Learn how each of these leaders create a culture of shared values and participatory decision making as they create community for their residents, their team members, families and volunteers. 

Platinum Elite Sponsor, Paymerang's Colleen Crist and Lynette Rock  share their insights on the importance of cultivating resiliency as individuals and teams as well as the secret to having a good outlook at work every day. You won’t want to miss this!