AI50

Stephanie Erickson, author of Plan for Aging Well, was born and raised in California. She has a Master’s Degree in Social Work, is a Certified Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment Specialist (CADTS) and is licensed in both Quebec and California.

She founded Erickson Resource Group, a clinical practice providing decision-making capacity evaluations for legal proceedings and expert opinions related to support for older adults.  She also provides online consulting services for caregivers throughout North America. As a Family Caregiving Expert, she is a regular contributor on media outlets throughout the U.S. and Canada discussing topics related to caregiving and health and well-being, as well as the host of several caregiving web series.

Stephanie is passionate about sharing her experience and knowledge and encouraging others to take control of their health and advocate on behalf of vulnerable populations. As a mom and entrepreneur, free time is hard to find. Yet, Stephanie always carves out time to train on the flying trapeze. She lives in Montreal with her husband, two children and energetic golden retriever.

You can learn more about Stephanie at www.stephanieerickson.ca or find her on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

Stephanie's personal website: https://stephanieerickson.ca/

Rick Banas has nearly 45 years of experience in senior living and health care. He has had the opportunity to work with retirement, assisted living and memory care communities, hospitals and health care systems in urban, suburban and rural areas from Maine to California. His experience encompasses marketing, sales, public relations, development and political advocacy.

He currently serves as Vice President and Development and Positioning for Gardant Management Solutions, Inc. Ranked as the 12th Largest Provider of Assisted Living in the country in Argentum’s 2020 largest provider list, Gardant operates nearly 60 assisted living communities in Illinois, Indiana and the Mid-Atlantic States of Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.

In 2017, Rick was named a finalist for a WEGO Best in Show award. The award program is designed to recognize exceptional advocates, influencers and experts who make a difference in the lives of patients and caregivers by using their voice to help transform health care across the globe.

The political advocacy program he developed for Gardant was been recognized with an Argentum “Best of the Best” award.

Rick's Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-banas-113b0ba/
Gardant Management Solutions: https://www.gardant.com/

Dr. Kori Novak is an accomplished Senior Executive with more than 18 years of success spanning healthcare, sports management, and criminal justice. Leveraging extensive experience as a CEO for various organizations Dr. Novak’s broad areas of expertise includes elder care, hospice services, healthcare strategy and public affairs.

Throughout her executive career, Dr. Novak has held leadership positions where she was responsible for achieving change and driving successful collaborations within and outside her fields of expertise. In addition, she is a professor at various universities and is a Sr. Researcher in Gerontology at Oxford University and a Sr. Fellow of Sociology at the School of Law and Social Science at the University of Suffolk in the UK. She has been a guest lecturer and keynote speaker for several domestic and international associations/Congresses revolving around Gerontology, Health Care and Criminal Justice.

Dr. Novak attained her Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Ethno-Geriatrics and end of life care (Thanatology) from Stanford University School of Medicine, her Ph.D. in Human Services and Gerontology with Summa Cum Laude honors from Capella University, her MBA with a concentration in Marketing, Public Relations, and Healthcare Administration with Magna Cum Laude honors from Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, and her BA in International Relations and Russian with Cum Laude honors from the University of Denver.

She currently lives in California with the loves of her life, her rescued Lhasa Apso and Shih Tzu Winston and Abigail.

Kori's Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/korinovak/
Academia: https://oxford.academia.edu/KoriNovak
Oxford Phenomenology Network: https://torch.ox.ac.uk/phenomenology#quicktabs-theme_term_quicktab=4
Personal Website: https://korinovak.com/

Chris Heinz, Managing Partner, Westport One

As a Managing Partner of Westport One, Chris leads recruiting Senior Living practice. His team helps organizations identify, qualify and deliver the best leadership talent at the community, regional and executive levels nationally.

Chris is a Certified Senior Manager, the former President of the MRINetwork Charitable Foundation Advisory Board, board member for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation and recipient of the 2016 Alan R. Schonberg Person of the Year.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Chris is an endurance athlete, completing 200+ running & triathlon races!

Chris's Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisheinz/
Company Website: https://www.westportone.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WestportOne

Kathryne Fassbender is a Dementia and Creative Engagement Specialist and the granddaughter of someone who lived with Vascular Dementia.

She is the creator of the Dementia Letters Project, which serves to walk with those on their dementia journey through training workshops, Life Enrichment program development and facilitation, and care partner support.

Kathryne is a native of Wisconsin but now calls the East Coast home. She is a classically trained musician, studio artist, and theatre-maker with a background in the creative arts therapies, and has spent the last 20 years serving those with dementia. She believes in cultivating a community that is wealthy in creativity, connection, hope, and joy.

• Creative Engagement as a way to become relational with those with dementia
• Proper framework of creative programming in the care setting
• Using the arts to transform the current narrative of dementia and aging
• The importance of the care partner story
• Cultivating connection through letter writing.

Kathryne's Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/klfssbndr/
Dementia Letters Project: https://dementialettersproject.com/

Dwayne J. Clark founded Aegis Living to offer breakthrough design, disruptive operational concepts and transformative living experiences that bring joy, comfort, and meaning to the lives of seniors. With more than 30 years in the senior housing arena, he is an established leader nationally known for his creativity, innovation, and independent thinking in the development and management of standard setting senior living communities. Under his leadership, Aegis has grown to more than 30 locations in the Western U.S., employs more than 3,000 staff members, and to date has served more than 60,000 residents.

In his capacity as CEO, Clark is a sought-after speaker and guest of the media, appearing regularly in print and broadcast with The New York Times, Today, Inc., Forbes, The Hollywood Reporter, and NBC. His many personal awards and recognitions include the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award from Senior Services.

Clark has a strong belief in active philanthropy, the importance of building community and creating an opportunity for others. Clark and his company Aegis Living contribute to more than 70 local and global charities, with Clark founding the following:

• The Potato Soup Foundation
• Seattle Seniors Strong
• The D1 Foundation
• The Queen Bee Café
• The March for Civility

Dwayne lives in Seattle with his wife, Terese, who shares his commitment to active philanthropy.

Dwayne's LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwaynejclark/

Blair Quasnitschka is a Sports Management graduate of Springfield College who “found his calling” 5 years after college following in his father’s footsteps of nursing home administration.

He spent the first 10+ years of his career in that space operating high-volume Medicare buildings and doing regional operations work for a provider that focused on short term rehab and addiction service/mental health populations.

While continuing his efforts in working with seniors, Blair pivoted towards senior living 3 years ago when he took the Executive Director position of a Continuing Care Retirement Community – Evergreen Woods in North Branford, CT, operated by Senior Living Communities out of Charlotte, NC.

Blair also serves as the Operations Mentor for the portfolio where he helps to onboard newly hired Executive Directors and Care Service Administrators, as well as conduct ongoing support of their ED’s in operations and sales capacity.  Blair was recognized as the Company’s Executive Director of the Year in 2019.

In addition to Blair's formal professional work, he's been active with the American College of Healthcare Administrators (ACHCA) on a local CT Chapter level (served as Director, Vice President and President) and more recently as a Director of the ACHCA National Board for the past two years.

Blair is a Fellow with ACHCA, the highest individual distinction. He has served as an Examiner for American Healthcare Association’s (ACHA) Silver Award submissions.

Blairs and his wife live in Central CT along with their two sons Maddox (6) and Jagger (5), and a new puppy, Luna). Blair enjoys playing the piano (33 years) in his spare time as well as for his residents and staff, playing golf (when time permits) and he's an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan – 2019 Superbowl Champs!
 
Topics:

• Employee retention – the importance of it and the strategies we use
• Covid precautions – balancing safety precautions against keeping residents engaged and thriving
• The future of senior living
• What does “ready” look like for seniors – in terms of making a decision to move from their own home to a Community

Blair's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blair-q-17923867/

Gregory P. Gorgone, CDM, CFPP, FMP

Co-Founder
Greg is a graduate and former Chef Instructor of Johnson & Wales University with over 35 years of experience in food service and hospitality management. With a successful track record in the restaurant and hospitality industry, Greg has brought his unique insights and leadership style to the healthcare industry to deliver a more patient centered, culinary driven experience while still keeping careful focus on financial objectives and Resident/Patient Satisfaction Scores.

During the initial stages of his career, Greg quickly transitioned from Executive Chef to restaurant and hotel general management to hospitality and restaurant development. Energized by the changes in healthcare food service, Greg has been helping transform Senior Living Communities and hospitals into a more hospitality-based food service model. Greg has developed and implemented operational policy and procedures for all types and sizes of operations. In addition to his operational experience, Greg has managed concept development projects, kitchen design and grand openings for hotels, restaurants, QSRs and healthcare operations.

Greg has been a speaker and presenter at regional and national conferences for the Association of Food and Nutrition Professionals (ANFP), the Association of Healthcare Foodservice (AHF) and DMA’s “Good to Best” Conference, as well as the Alumni Association at Johnson and Wales University.

Greg’s goal is to provide hospitality driven food service environments that improve the lives of patients, residents and caregivers.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greggorgone/
Website: https://pineappleacademy.com/

Natasha Goldstein-Levitas, MA, BC-DMT 

Board Certified Dance/Movement Therapist;
Aging & Dementia Care Advisor
 
Natasha is a Board Certified Dance/Movement Therapist specializing in Aging and Dementia Care. She has two decades of experience working with older adults, individuals living with dementia, and their care partners, across various cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.

Natasha feels strongly that regular therapeutic engagement, the creative arts, and a welcoming, sensory-inviting setting are key components to wellness. She is committed to helping to promote healthier aging and overall quality of life for individuals with varying cognitive and physical abilities. She uses a person-centered, movement and sensory hybrid approach, to help connect and EngAge.

Natasha is a published author on topics related to her work. Her professional history includes: healthcare administration, therapeutic program development, care partner training, Dance/movement therapy (DMT) clinical supervision, aging and dementia workshops, and regular DMT and therapeutic engagement sessions.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-goldstein-levitas-82647243/
Personal Website: https://natashagoldstein.com

"** I have worked with clients virtually for nine years and continue to do so through the current crisis. I can help if your team needs support navigating the uncharted waters of this unique time. **

As the Chief Inpowerment Officer at Personal Point of Power Holistic Therapies, I work with high-performing professionals and organizations suffering with decreased performance, productivity or fulfillment due to intense stress, internal or external pressures, anxiety, or chronic pain. Inpowerment is about tapping into the power within us, whereas empowerment is bestowed upon us.

FOR EXECUTIVES
When an executive isn’t functioning at the highest level, the organization suffers. An executive experiencing overwhelming stress will not have access to creativity for innovation or problem solving.

Working individually with driven executives, I identify and mitigate negative beliefs and energy blocks, utilizing energy medicine, hypnosis, mind/body practices, and coaching.

FOR INNOVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
Employees are also under pressure to perform and produce. Employee burnout and turnover have a high cost for organizations.

I believe everyone has a spark, but stress and anxiety can snuff out that spark and leave us feeling powerless, negatively impacting the quality of our work and our relationships.

For innovative organizations, I create programs that identify the underlying causes of stress and reignite employees’ spark to make a bigger impact.

From lunch and learns to onsite wellness sessions and retreats, I work with HR or management to deliver programs that give employees tools and strategies to combat daily job stress and anxiety.

ABOUT ME
I started my career working in financial services, sprinting to an executive-level marketing role. I generated success for my organization…but something was missing for me. Realizing I had a lot to learn, I pursued my MBA at Kellogg, became an entrepreneur, and then dove into training in alternative medicine. I now blend my formal education and business know-how with mind/body healing techniques to help professionals tap their inner resources, overcome anxiety and self-doubt and create personal excellence through my company, Personal Point of Power Holistic Therapies." - Shweta Shyamani

Shweta's Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shwetashyamani/
Website: https://personalpointofpower.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShwetaShyamani