Connecting the Dots: Senior Living Success with Matt Reiners

Episode Summary:
In this episode, Matt Reiners is joined by Lacy Jungman, VP of Growth and Development for Heritage Communities, to explore how The Working Genius Framework is transforming leadership and team dynamics in senior living. Lacy shares her journey into the senior living industry, from her start as a volunteer to her current role, where she drives growth, team health, and productivity.

They dive deep into The Working Genius Framework—a six-stage model designed to identify individual strengths, mitigate frustrations, and foster collaboration. Lacy explains how this framework has reshaped her leadership style, improved team cohesion, and delivered measurable outcomes like increased productivity and resident satisfaction.

Whether you’re leading a senior living community, building a team, or looking for ways to grow as a leader, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiring takeaways.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Key Topics Discussed:

Key Quotes from Lacy:

In this episode, we dive into the Women of Distinction Awards, an initiative celebrating remarkable female leaders in senior living. We discuss what inspired its creation, the award’s evolution, and the unique challenges and opportunities women face in this industry. Our guest offers advice for aspiring leaders on how to make a lasting impact, along with some powerful stories of past winners who are paving the way. It’s a conversation about resilience, vision, and the power of women shaping the future of senior living.

Women of Distinction Awards: https://www.mcknightswomenofdistinction.com/

I was honored to join an insightful panel discussion hosted by Laura Ellen Christian of the AGE-u-cate Training Institute, alongside Dr. Ashley Smalley from Grace Management and Doug Pace from the Alzheimer's Association. We tackled one of the most essential topics in healthcare today—innovation in dementia care. From the latest tech advancements to non-pharmacological interventions and educational needs, we covered multiple dimensions of what it means to drive meaningful change in dementia support. Tune in as we explore strategies and challenges in redefining care for individuals with dementia, emphasizing both high-impact technology and holistic care approaches.

AGE-u-cate's website: https://ageucate.com/

In this episode, we sit down with Lois Bowers, the influential Editor of McKnight’s Senior Living, to explore the vision and impact behind one of the industry’s most prestigious recognitions—the McKnight’s Pinnacle Awards. Lois shares her personal journey into senior living journalism and what inspired the creation of these awards.

Listeners will gain a unique behind-the-scenes look into the selection process, learning about the qualities and achievements that set Pinnacle Award winners apart. Lois also highlights a few memorable stories from past recipients that left a lasting impression, illustrating how these leaders and innovators are shaping the future of senior living.

Throughout the conversation, we’ll discuss the role McKnight’s plays in supporting the industry through its various publications and the long-term impact Lois hopes the Pinnacle Awards will have on recognizing and elevating excellence within senior living.

Pinnacle Awards: https://www.mcknightspinnacleawards.com/

In this episode, we sit down with Tim Mullaney, VP & Editorial Director of WTWH Media, to discuss the launch of the Prism Awards and what this new initiative means for the senior living industry. Tim shares the inspiration behind creating these awards and how they aim to recognize outstanding achievements in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging (DEIB), environmental sustainability, and social stewardship. We delve into the criteria for evaluating communities, the impact these awards are expected to have, and what it means for the future of senior living. Tune in to learn how senior living providers can lead the way in creating more inclusive, sustainable, and forward-thinking communities.

Link: https://agingmedia.com/2024-prism-awards/

Jamie Steensen, the Corporate National Director of Procurement and Purchasing for Sinceri Living, shares her background and journey to her current role. She discusses the responsibilities of overseeing procurement and emphasizes the importance of vendor partnerships. Jamie highlights the impact of technology on the procurement process and mentions the use of Contract Save for contract management. She also mentions the need for better collaboration and communication between departments in senior living organizations. Jamie shares her personal and professional goals, including enhancing her skills and growing the procurement team at Sinceri. She advises other senior living providers to utilize group purchasing organizations (GPOs), invest in technology, and find individuals passionate about procurement and vendor partnerships.

Matt Reiners announces that he will be joining Parasol Alliance as their chief growth officer. The conversation highlights the excitement and alignment between Matt and Amber Barden, the CEO and founder of Parasol Alliance. They discuss the challenges senior living communities face in adopting technology and the strategic approach that Parasol takes to ensure successful technology adoption. They also emphasize the importance of culture and the positive work environment at Parasol. Matt shares his plans to engage with clients and partners and invites feedback to improve their services. The conversation concludes with a call to action for listeners to pay attention to Parasol Alliance as they aim to change the technology culture in senior living.

Lauren Blacker, the corporate director of wellness and life enrichment at Senior Resource Group, shares her journey into senior living and the importance of wellness. She discusses the Zest program, which promotes vitality, enthusiasm, and energy in everyday activities. Lauren also highlights the Tour de Zest, a physical fitness challenge that fosters teamwork and social connections among residents and employees. The program encourages residents and employees to approach life with excitement and energy, promoting overall wellness. Lauren shares heartwarming stories of how Tour de Zest has positively impacted residents and employees, improving their quality of life and inspiring them to engage in wellness activities.

Danette Opaczewski, the COO of Revel Communities, discusses the concept of experiential branding in senior housing. She emphasizes the importance of creating a vibrant lifestyle that prioritizes personalized experiences and holistic wellness programs. Opaczewski shares her journey from the hospitality and real estate industry to senior housing and explains how she leverages her background to enhance the resident experience at Revel. She highlights the need for a resident experience department that focuses on the overall living experience and personalization. Opaczewski also discusses the impact of recruiting ex-hospitality staff and the importance of technology and customer service in senior housing.