NIC Chats

Early in the COVID pandemic, Henry Kissinger noted that the historic challenge for leaders was to manage the crisis while building the future. This inspired NIC Co-Founder and Strategic Advisor, Bob Kramer, to consider what it means to build the future, and what the future might look like for senior housing and care. Kramer has identified “Six Key Drivers” that will shape the senior living industry over the next 10 years. Learn more about these drivers in this insightful conversation with NIC Chief Economist, Beth Mace. 

A blog series detailing each key driver is available on our website. 

Want to join the conversation? Follow NIC on LinkedIn.

We want to hear from you! Let us know what you think of NIC Chats by giving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. 

The NIC Chats podcast was “On the Road” at the 2022 NIC Fall Conference. NIC Chief Economist, Beth Mace, was joined by VIUM Capital’s Steve Kennedy, co-founder and Executive Managing Director, and Alison Lemle, Chief Underwriter, who shared their experiences and insights on today’s capital and debt markets for the senior housing and health care sectors. Hear Kennedy and Lemle’s perspectives on how the pandemic has reshaped the industry, where they see the business heading over the next few years, and their thoughts on how to respond to today’s capital market conditions.

Want to join the conversation? Follow NIC on LinkedIn.

We want to hear from you! Let us know what you think of NIC Chats by giving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. 

Arnold Whitman knows how to adapt during market disruption. As the Founder and Executive Chairman of Formation Capital, he created his business by responding to industry needs during a distressed market, finding opportunities in the challenges. Recent market disruptions are moving the industry toward greater technology interoperability, which Whitman predicts has the potential to improve quality of care and reduce overall healthcare costs. Disruptions are also causing the industry to reconsider how to attract new talent, which Whitman says requires de-stigmatizing the industry and highlighting how interesting and fulfilling it can be. “We need to attract the type of person who is focused on giving back, and recognize and reward laborers and workers at every level,” he said. “It's going to be challenging…but our industry has always been very good at adapting.” 

Want to join the conversation? Follow NIC on LinkedIn.

We want to hear from you! Let us know what you think of NIC Chats by giving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. 

When looking for senior housing options for a loved one, Patricia Will, founder & CEO of Belmont Village Senior Living, told herself, “If I can’t find one, I’ll make one.” From developing her first community—designed to provide a level of care and service that she’d expect for her own family—to now operating and developing communities in 15 states, Will has continuously put the needs and desires of residents first. Will joined Beth Mace, NIC’s chief economist and director of outreach, to discuss the evolution of her career in senior housing and care, the innovative programs Belmont offers to keep residents healthy and engaged, and the resilience of their staff throughout the pandemic.   

Want to join the conversation? Follow NIC on LinkedIn.

We want to hear from you! Let us know what you think of NIC Chats by giving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. 

Facing unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, senior living providers responded with courage and resilience. Offering a behind-the-scenes look, Cindy Baier, President and CEO of Brookdale Senior Living, returns to NIC Chats to discuss her new book, Heroes Work Here, with Beth Mace. Baier shares how the book preserves these caregivers’ important role in history from their efforts to save lives throughout 2020 and 2021 and serves as a guide for leaders who are navigating unchartered waters.  

Hear how Brookdale’s heroes responded to the public health crisis and the steps Baier took as a leader to make employees feel valued and listened to. All net proceeds from the book will go to Brookdale’s associate compassion fund, which provides financial assistance to eligible associates facing financial challenges. “This really is the story of our incredible associates, our everyday heroes, so it's only fitting that the proceeds from the book should go back to support them when they need it most,” said Baier.  

Want to join the conversation? Follow NIC on LinkedIn.

We want to hear from you! Let us know what you think of NIC Chats by giving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Fee Stubblefield, founder and CEO of The Springs Living, has never been more excited or optimistic about senior living. Listen as he and Beth Mace discuss how having a purpose, mission and plan has helped solidify his company’s reputation among both residents and staff, leading to The Springs Living being named one of the best workplaces for aging services. Plus, learn which 2022 NIC Spring Conference session gave Stubblefield a lightbulb moment and how his family has inspired his business decisions, even down to the company name.

Want to join the conversation? Follow NIC on LinkedIn.

We want to hear from you! Let us know what you think of NIC Chats by giving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. 

Roosevelt Davis, Senior Director of Seniors Housing at Fannie Mae – one of the largest sources of capital for lenders financing multifamily properties, including seniors housing and care properties – explains how the organization was able to manage risk to continue supporting the industry and providing capital during the COVID-19 pandemic and what the Fannie Mae team looks for when underwriting seniors housing deals. 

Davis shares his advice for career success with Beth Mace, including the importance of perseverance, constantly learning, and working in an industry that you love.  

Want to join the conversation? Follow NIC on LinkedIn.

We want to hear from you! Let us know what you think of NIC Chats by giving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Lynne Katzmann, founder and CEO of Juniper Communities – a nationally recognized premier senior living provider – explains how her leadership style has changed over time, but her commitment to creating a better environment for the people she serves remains consistent. Katzmann talks about the challenges of being an entrepreneur and the importance of the “three P’s” – passion, planning, and perseverance. Holding your passion close, planning for the consumer of today and of tomorrow, and persevering through the numerous problems that arise.

Want to join the conversation? Follow NIC on LinkedIn.

We want to hear from you! Let us know what you think of NIC Chats by giving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. 

Brian Sunday, Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager at AEW Capital Management— one of the largest real estate asset managers in the world—shares how his mentor helped him see the full potential of the senior housing industry. AEW wants to add value to their operators and takes pride in doing more than just writing a check. Sunday talks about throwing out AEW’s business plan early on in COVID to ensure their operators had the tools and resources they needed to keep residents and employees safe, and what he believes is the biggest challenge facing the industry.  

Want to join the conversation? Follow NIC on LinkedIn.

We want to hear from you! Let us know what you think of NIC Chats by giving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. 

Cindy Baier, President and CEO of Brookdale Senior Living—the nation’s largest senior living operator in the country—shares how growing up on a farm taught her the benefit of hard work. She tackles tough problems by studying them from every angle, utilizing a team with diverse perspectives, and putting every idea on the table, even the unlikely ones. Baier talks about the rewarding connections and relationships Brookdale staff have with residents–what she calls a “second paycheck”–and how this industry is unmatched with opportunities to make a difference. 

Key Insights: 

• The importance of a leadership team being representative of the residential population to gain a true understanding of what they want, how they feel, and what they need. (6:41)
   
• Serving side-by-side with staff members who are doing the work—such as maintenance and housekeeping—to make well-informed decision.s (15:10) 
  
  
• How a supportive care community fosters relationships within families by alleviating the burden of being an unpaid caregiver. (26:19) 

Want to join the conversation? Follow NIC on LinkedIn.

We want to hear from you! Let us know what you think of NIC Chats by giving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.