Voices in Leadership | LeadingAge Virginia

In this episode of Voices in Leadership, host Melissa Andrews, President and CEO of LeadingAge Virginia, welcomes Matthew Tucker, Director of Shelter at CARITAS, a Richmond-based nonprofit providing housing, addiction recovery and workforce development services, for a conversation about the growing challenge of homelessness among older adults. Tucker explores the factors contributing to rising homelessness in the greater Richmond area, including housing affordability, increasing rents, fixed incomes, employment barriers and the long-term financial impact of unpaid caregiving. He also challenges common misconceptions about homelessness, shares personal experiences that have shaped his commitment to helping vulnerable populations, and discusses the importance of collaboration across organizations and communities. The conversation highlights an upcoming November 10 screening of the documentary No Place to Grow Old, aimed at raising awareness and encouraging community involvement, and offers practical guidance for individuals and families seeking to connect loved ones with housing assistance and support services.

Voices in Leadership is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode of Voices in Leadership, host Melissa Andrews, President and CEO of LeadingAge Virginia, welcomes interns Jack Day and Xavier Lawson to share their experiences working with the organization. Jack, a VCU junior majoring in digital journalism with a minor in political science, discusses his role as a marketing and communications intern and how his previous work in elder-care dining sparked an interest in aging-services advocacy. Xavier, a VCU junior studying financial technology and data science, shares his experience as a business and technology development intern, including his work helping launch LeadingAge Virginia's Group Purchasing Organization, Services & Solutions. They discuss taking on meaningful projects, learning through trial and error, using new technologies and developing skills outside their comfort zones. The conversation also explores mentorship, networking, the value of paid internships and the supportive environment that gave them the freedom to learn, make mistakes and grow professionally.

Voices in Leadership is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode of Voices in Leadership, host Melissa Andrews, President and CEO of LeadingAge Virginia, sits down with summer interns Maddie Walsh, a fourth-year UVA student majoring in behavioral neuroscience and English, and Ritvika Palani, a second-year UVA student planning to major in public policy and economics and considering law school. Maddie shares how a personal experience with a concussion sparked her interest in memory research and discusses her work on a virtual reality initiative designed to build greater empathy for people living with dementia and sensory loss. Ritvika highlights her work exploring a potential geriatric nurse aide certification in Virginia to help address workforce challenges, as well as her experience engaging with legislators on CCRC regulations. Together, they reflect on the value of internships and mentorship, the importance of creating meaningful opportunities for the next generation of leaders, and the issues they hope to help change in the future.

Voices in Leadership is produced by Association Briefings.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In this episode of Voices and Leadership, host Melissa Andrews, President and CEO of LeadingAge Virginia, sits down with Lindsay Hutter, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer at Goodwin Living. Lindsay reflects on her journey from growing up in Illinois to becoming a senior leader in the aging services field, shaped by her family roots and pivotal life experiences. The conversation explores her career path, early ambitions, and the moments that led her to Goodwin Living, before widening to the critical role immigrant workers play in senior living. Lindsay highlights Goodwin Living’s innovative citizenship program and discusses broader themes of immigration reform, advocacy, and the power of community partnerships. Throughout the episode, she underscores how thoughtful storytelling—and elevating the lived experiences of residents and staff alike—can strengthen the field and influence public policy.

Voices in Leadership is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode of Voices in Leadership, host Melissa Andrews, President and CEO of LeadingAge Virginia, sits down with Josh Lyons, President and CEO of Sunnyside Communities. Josh reflects on his path into senior living—a journey shaped in part by his father’s tenure as Sunnyside’s CEO—and shares how that early exposure fueled his commitment to the field. He discusses his passion for developing future leaders, the strong culture that defines Sunnyside, and the spirit of collaboration among local senior living organizations. Josh also offers a glimpse into his life outside of work, sharing stories about his family and hobbies. The conversation wraps with an optimistic look at the future of senior living and the vital role of community engagement in supporting older adults.

Voices in Leadership is produced by Association Briefings.