Voices in Leadership | Leading with Purpose in Senior Living

Voices in Leadership | Leading with Purpose in Senior Living

In this episode of Voices in Leadership, host Melissa Andrews, President and CEO of LeadingAge Virginia, welcomes William Lester, President and CEO of Warm Hearth Village, to discuss his leadership journey and the evolving landscape of senior living. William reflects on his path from housekeeping supervisor to CEO, shares lessons in building high-performing teams, and explains how a resident-focused, collaborative culture has shaped Warm Hearth Village's success. The conversation also explores the challenges and opportunities facing aging services, including workforce development, technology, changing resident needs, innovative service models, and the value of partnerships with Virginia Tech in advancing care, research, and community engagement. Voices in Leadership is produced by Association Briefings [https://associationbriefings.com].

Rethinking Senior Living for the Middle Market

In this episode of Voices in Leadership, host Melissa Andrews, president and CEO of LeadingAge Virginia, talks with Laura Lamb and Megan Bradford of Episcopal Retirement Services (ERS) about the organization’s evolution and its growing commitment to serving older adults across the full economic continuum. The conversation explores ERS’s 75-year history, its expansion from a single retirement community to a multi-state organization with life plan communities, affordable living campuses, and community-based programs including Meals on Wheels and memory support services. Laura and Megan also discuss ERS’s focus on serving the “middle market” — older adults who have too many resources to qualify for affordable housing but not enough to access traditional life plan communities. They explain how personal family experiences helped shape the initiative and outline ERS’s approach, including no entrance fees, service coordination instead of heavy staffing models, and pricing designed to remain attainable for middle-income older adults. The episode also highlights ERS’s servant leadership culture, emphasis on internal growth and promotions, the importance of strategic partnerships, and why providers should stop simply “musing” about middle market solutions and start testing new models in their own communities. Voices in Leadership is produced by Association Briefings [https://associationbriefings.com/].

Voices in Leadership | Leadership, Mentorship, and the Future of Aging Services

In this episode of Voices in Leadership, the mic turns to host Melissa Andrews, President and CEO of LeadingAge Virginia, as she’s interviewed by her husband, Todd Andrews, COO of Asbury Communities. Melissa reflects on her path into aging services—from an unexpected start at the Hebrew Home at Riverdale to a 14-year tenure at LeadingAge National—and the mentors who helped shape her leadership along the way. She shares how LeadingAge Virginia has evolved to represent a broader continuum of care, with a growing focus on community-based services, workforce development, and the people behind the mission. The conversation also explores her passion for mentoring, building career pathways, and investing in future leaders. Looking ahead, Melissa outlines her vision for the next five years, including building momentum around a multi-sector plan on aging and advancing long-term services and supports reform in Virginia. Voices in Leadership is produced by Association Briefings [https://associationbriefings.com/].

Voices in Leadership | Designing the Future of Senior Living

In this episode of Voices in Leadership, host Melissa Andrews, President and CEO of LeadingAge Virginia, sits down with Curtis Jennings of SFCS to explore innovation, leadership, and the future of senior living design. Curtis shares his journey into the field, shaped by family legacy and a lifelong passion for architecture, before diving into how creativity and mentorship drive both his leadership approach and the firm’s culture. The conversation highlights SFCS’s long-standing commitment to innovation, including its By Design Conference and its partnership with Virginia Tech, where students collaborate with senior living communities to design real-world solutions that enhance resident engagement and connection. Curtis and Melissa also discuss emerging trends such as repurposing existing buildings, planning for future generations of residents, and balancing the needs of current residents with long-term strategic vision. Throughout the episode, Curtis emphasizes the importance of flexibility, collaboration, and resident involvement in the design process, while offering a candid look at the challenges ahead—including meeting growing demand for senior living. Ultimately, the conversation underscores how thoughtful design, creative thinking, and strong partnerships can shape more responsive and sustainable communities for the future. Voices in Leadership is produced by Association Briefings [https://associationbriefings.com/].

Voices in Leadership | How Emerging Leaders Are Shaping Aging Services

In this episode of Voices and Leadership, host Melissa Andrews, President and CEO of LeadingAge Virginia, brings together two generations of leaders shaping the future of aging services. Tracey Jennings, Chief Operations Officer at LifeSpire of Virginia and chair of the LeadingAge Virginia board, reflects on her unexpected journey into senior living leadership and the mentors who helped shape her path. Julia Cook, a LeadingAge Virginia intern and graduate student preparing to join the LifeSpire team, shares her intentional entry into the field and what inspires emerging professionals to pursue careers in aging services. Together, they explore mentorship, the evolving role of women in leadership, strategies for attracting younger talent, and how programs like Administrator in Training (AIT) are preparing the next generation of industry leaders. Voices in Leadership is produced by Association Briefings [https://associationbriefings.com/].