Building Stronger Communities Through Innovation and Care: Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley

Building Stronger Communities Through Innovation and Care: Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley

David Crowley is the Milwaukee County Executive, leading one of Wisconsin’s largest and most diverse counties with a focus on economic growth, community development, and expanding opportunity for all residents. In his role, Crowley works to strengthen partnerships across government, industry, and community organizations to improve quality of life, drive innovation, and ensure access to critical services — including those supporting aging populations, caregivers, and families. Crowley brings a strong background in public service and community engagement, with experience spanning local government and state leadership. His approach is rooted in collaboration, emphasizing public‑private partnerships as key to addressing complex challenges like workforce development, healthcare access, and sustainable funding for essential programs. We were glad to have him on the Tell Our Stories Podcast to talk about Milwaukee’s role as a growing hub for innovation, the importance of partnership in strengthening communities, and the policy decisions shaping the future of care. Visit Tell Our Stories.com [https://tellourstories.com/] to learn more, and share your story about how senior care impacts you and your loved ones.

Zachary Shamberg

Zachary Shamberg is the Chief of Government Affairs at Saber Healthcare Group. In his role, Zachary leads advocacy strategy and government relations efforts focused on long‑term and post‑acute care, working with policymakers, provider leaders, and industry partners to navigate complex regulatory environments and advance policies that support quality care for seniors. Zachary brings more than a decade of healthcare association leadership experience to his work, most recently serving as President & CEO of the Pennsylvania Health Care Association, where he represented long‑term care providers statewide and led legislative, regulatory, and grassroots advocacy initiatives. His background spans grassroots organizing, lobbying, coalition‑building, and crisis communications, shaped by early roles in political campaigns, legislative offices, and corporate communications in the healthcare sector. We were glad to have him on the Tell Our Stories Podcast to talk about healthcare advocacy, the evolving policy landscape impacting senior care, and the critical role government affairs plays in supporting providers, caregivers, and the people they serve. Visit TellOurStories.com [https://tellourstories.com/hear-our-stories/] to learn more, and share your story about how senior care impacts you and your loved ones.

WesleyLife COO Allison Pendroy & Direct Supply Strategic Account Manager Andy Brown

WesleyLife Meals On Wheels ⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07jTmFTyh9I]  Allison Pendroy is the Chief Operating Officer of WesleyLife, a nationally-recognized expert in aging-services operations.   Pendroy joined WesleyLife in July 2023 as chief operating officer and has played a key role in strengthening operations, supporting communities and services, and advancing organizational priorities across the nonprofit network.   Pendroy is recognized nationally for her leadership in aging services. She served on the NIC Future Leaders Council (2015–2018), contributing to national discussions on industry trends, data transparency, and innovation. She has served as a national conference panelist at events including the Ziegler Finance Conference, Interface Seniors Housing Midwest, HealthTAC, Senior Living Advocacy, and various NIC Bootcamps, and is a graduate of the Drake Executive Leadership Development Program.   Since this episode was recorded, WesleyLife announced that Allison was unanimously slected as the organization's next president and chief executive officer, effective June 1, 2026. We are so thrilled for her and can't wait to see all she will achieve in her new role. ⁠(More on that here). ⁠ [https://www.wesleylife.org/blog/allison-pendroy-is-named-wesleylifes-next-president-and-ceo?utm_content=367085358&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin&hss_channel=lcp-1332287]And—fun fact—Allison is a Mayflower Society descendant, which means she’s been “steering ships” since 1620. With a career that has spanned finance, real estate and operations of senior living, she’s known for turning strategy into action with precision, purpose and heart.    Joining me and Allison on stage is Andy Brown, National Accounts, DS (Andy Brown is a Strategic Account Manager and a National Account Representative at Direct Supply. Andy has legally married three couples within the state of Iowa, as he is an ordained minister from the very prestigious organization "getordained.org". Having a proven eye for great partnerships, bringing people together and strategic thinking, he has also been marrying large customers to the right Direct Supply solutions for over 13 years).Visit ⁠TellOurStories.com⁠ [https://tellourstories.com/] to learn more, and share your story about how senior care impacts you and your loved ones.

Liz Jensen

Liz Jensen, PhD, MSN, RN-BC is the Clinical Director at Direct Supply Innovation & Technology Center @MSOE. In her practice she collaborates with leaders in tech, business, academia, and senior care providers on the use of technology to improve caregiving in senior care settings. She developed the SPARK Clinical Collective, bringing clinicians, technology developers, engineers, and product designers together to build, test and pilot innovative solutions that impact the lives of aging people and those caring for them. Dr. Jensen draws from her prior experience as a senior care nurse executive, educator, and direct care nurse to inform her education and advocacy efforts with policy makers, researchers, and investors in senior care. She holds a BSN from Creighton University, MSN from Cardinal Stritch University and PhD in Leadership for the Advancement of Learning & Service from Cardinal Stritch University researching future technology development and investment priorities of nursing executives in long term care.We were glad to have her at the Direct Supply Innovation and Technology Center to talk senior care, innovation, and learn more about the SPARK collective key takeaways. Visit TellOurStories.com [https://tellourstories.com/story/statement-on-the-department-of-educations-decision-to-exclude-nursing-from-professional-degree-status/] to learn more, and share your story about how senior care impacts you and your loved ones.

Congressman Tony Wied (WI-08)

Congressman Tony Wied represents Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District covering Green Bay, Appleton, up into Door County and more. First elected to Congress in 2024, we were glad to have him stop by the Direct Supply Innovation and Technology Center to talk senior care, innovation, and workforce. Visit Tell Our Stories.com [https://tellourstories.com/tell-your-story/] to learn more, and share your story about how senior care impacts you and your loved ones.