Meet Sheila
Executive Director
The executive director, along with our friendly and professional staff, strives to create positive, stimulating ways for residents to continue living life with meaning and purpose. We are a friendly family where we treat residents like real people with real life stories.
Our community is a great story that includes heartwarming chapters and incredibly unique characters all in a wonderful setting. Here is the executive director’s story:
How long have you worked in the retirement industry?
I have worked in the retirement industry for about 10 years and prior to that in the hospitality industry.
What do you like best about your job?
I love to work with people and execute initiatives to make a community delightful for our residents and employees.
What do you like to do in your free time and why?
I enjoy listening to music, traveling and experiencing new restaurants.
If you could meet one person, past or present, who would it be and why?
I would love to meet Julia Childs. Watching her shows and reading her books inspired me to enter into the hospitality industry.
What’s your favorite movie and why?
I love watching “A Christmas Story,” as it reminds me of growing up in a small town and of the funny things that happen during the holidays.
What’s your favorite dish or dessert and why?
I love my Mother’s wild rice casserole, which is a comfort food when I was growing up.
In what ways do your residents inspire you?
I am always amazed when speaking to many of my residents on their life experiences. Some of our residents have seen so many changes such as the first car or the first television. They do not take anything for granted.
Do you have any memorable experiences with a particular resident you would like to share?
When I started working at one particular community, a resident who was the past council president gave me a special book to read. It was a story about a new manager that would be operating a retirement community. She really wanted to make sure I had all the tools to be successful. She was an amazing support during my tenure at that community.
How do you honor your residents at your community?
We love to honor our residents by hosting many different events celebrating them. We have an annual volunteer luncheon honoring those who help us with many things in our community. In addition, we host monthly birthday parties and events that honor them for their life experiences.
Tell us about a resident with a remarkable life story?
There are so many, but I have a few residents whom I have gotten to know who lived in a concentration camp. One particular resident wrote a story about his experience. You would never know what he and his family endured during that time. He is an amazing person, and is always cheerful and helpful to guests and residents.
Tell us about a resident whose life changed for the better once they moved to your community.
I have so many, but one in particular comes to mind regarding the family of a resident who was so concerned if Mom would meet enough people and acclimate to the community. I expressed that we would be there every day and that sometimes it takes several weeks to get comfortable. She is now prospering! She is up to a healthy weight and her memory has improved now that she has a routine, and her depression has subsided due to her many friendships that she has developed.
In what ways do your employees inspire you?
I feel inspired by the way they care for our residents and how dedicated they are to working at our community.
Tell us about an employee who embodies one of our core values – integrity, respect, responsibility, professionalism or teamwork.
We had a manager at one community who had worked at the community for 15 years. She started out as an hourly employee and most recently was promoted as our program director. She planned events that involved our residents’ feedback and always ensured they were part of each program. Since she has worked in many different departments she also brings the departments together, which is what our core values are all about.