Welcome back to the show! This week, I’m joined by Nicole Belanger, Director of Business Development for Compass Group Canada, 2025 Bridge the Gap ambassador, and all-around rockstar in senior living. Nicole is also a certified DISC consultant, and let me tell you, her passion for understanding human behavior and unlocking better communication is nothing short of contagious.

In this episode, Nicole shares her journey from stepping into a senior living community on a whim to becoming a leader who helps teams and families connect on a deeper level. We dive into the DISC personality assessment, a tool that’s changing the game for leaders, sales professionals, and senior living teams alike. Nicole walks us through the four personality styles—Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Compliance—and explains how understanding these traits can strengthen relationships, build trust, and ultimately, deliver better outcomes.

We also explore real-world examples of how DISC can improve communication between senior living staff, residents, and families, as well as how it can help leaders navigate challenging conversations. Plus, Nicole gets personal, sharing how DISC has helped her grow as a leader and a collaborator—and even in her everyday life.

If you’re looking for actionable tips on connecting with people faster, improving teamwork, and tailoring your communication style, this episode is for you. And yes, we even get into how Nicole finds a balance between her love for sailing and being a proud dog mom.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Grab your headphones, tune in, and get ready to take your leadership game to the next level with DISC insights from Nicole Belanger!

What happens when a senior living executive decides to move into a community—not as a leader, but as a resident? In this episode of Connecting the Dots: Senior Living Success, I sit down with Dr. Lisa Ippolito, a seasoned senior living administrator and educator, to unpack the incredible lessons she learned during her four-month experience living in a senior living community.

Lisa shares the story of why she made this bold move and how it changed her perspective on leadership, operations, and what truly matters to residents. From dining room dynamics to navigating day-to-day life in the community, Lisa offers raw and honest insights into the resident experience.

We explore how her time living the resident life inspired operational changes, enhanced communication, and deepened her empathy as a leader. Lisa’s experience serves as a powerful reminder that great leadership in senior living starts with understanding the people you serve.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Lisa’s story is nothing short of inspiring and will leave you rethinking how we approach senior living. Tune in for this heartfelt, eye-opening episode and discover how Lisa’s journey can transform the way we lead and serve in the senior living industry.

Welcome back to another episode of Connecting the Dots: Senior Living Success! Today, I’m thrilled to be joined by Amy Laughlin, the Director of Resident Engagement at Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina. Amy’s passion for senior living and her innovative approach to resident engagement make her a standout leader in the field.

In this episode, we dive deep into Amy’s journey and how she found her calling in senior living. She shares the inspiring story of how the Montessori for Aging & Dementia program was introduced at Presbyterian Communities of SC, and what motivated her team to embrace this transformative approach.

Amy explains how creating "prepared environments" can empower residents living with dementia, fostering choice, independence, and a sense of purpose. We explore the balance between flexibility and structure in daily routines and discuss what "abundant living" truly means in the context of senior care—and how they measure its impact.

You’ll also hear about the thoughtful training and support they provide to staff to ensure Montessori principles are woven into every interaction. Plus, Amy shares the heartfelt feedback from residents, families, and the community, illustrating the profound difference this program has made.

If you’ve ever considered incorporating a Montessori approach in your senior living community, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiration to get you started.

So, grab your coffee and tune in as we connect the dots to help residents live their most abundant lives!

In this episode I sit down with Benjamin Butler, Vice President of Key Account Development at Aramark SeniorLIFE+, to dive into the world of culinary, environmental services (EVS), and facility solutions in senior living. With nearly two decades of experience in senior living, Ben brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and a fresh perspective to the conversation.

We explore Ben’s incredible journey, from his early days in the industry to his current role at Aramark SeniorLIFE+. He shares what drew him to this position after 18 years in senior living and how his passion for creating exceptional resident experiences drives his work every day.

Ben and I discuss the unique challenges senior living communities face in delivering top-tier culinary, EVS, and facility services. From balancing the needs of residents, families, and staff to innovating solutions that improve quality of life and operational efficiency, Ben offers valuable insights into what it takes to succeed in today’s senior living landscape.

As we look ahead, Ben shares his vision for the future of senior living and the role of innovative partnerships like those offered by Aramark SeniorLIFE+. Whether you're a provider looking to elevate your services or someone passionate about the industry, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Tune in for an engaging conversation that connects the dots between passion, innovation, and the future of senior living. Don’t miss this one!

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/