Ashante Abubakar is the Vice President for Workforce Development at Argentum.  In his most recent employment, he served as the director for workforce development and career training efforts in Montgomery County, and Prince George’s County, MD. He has more than 15 years of experience in workforce and business development. In previous years, Ashante held the position of Special Assistant to a former White House appointee. He is also a former US Army service member, with honorable service as aide to the Commander-in-Chief, United States Army, Europe & NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), and service on the staff of US Army command, in East Asia, Republic of Korea (ROK).

An accomplished martial artist, and history enthusiast in his spare time, he holds a master’s degree with concentration in international business administration (MBA) from the University of Maryland’s Global College and earned his undergraduate degree (Batchelor of Arts) while serving on active duty in the US Army, assigned to the Leadership Development Division at the Command and General Staff College (CGSC), Leavenworth, KS, and attending MidAmerica Nazarene University, Olathe, KS.

Peter Corless is Executive Vice President of Enterprise Development for OnShift. Peter is a recognized HR leader in post-acute care and is well-known for his achievements at some of the country’s largest post-acute care organizations, including Kindred Healthcare and Genesis HealthCare. As an experienced, chief administrative and human resources officer within these organizations, he developed strategies that reduced turnover, improved recruiting and hiring strategies, and reduced labor costs.

Ryan Haller co-leads senior living and intergenerational development activities for McNair Living, including the firm’s Varcity collegiate brand. He was previously the President and Chief Development Officer of Avamere based in Portland, Oregon. Avamere has over 10,000 employees and posts $1 billion in annual revenues. During his tenure, Haller oversaw the company’s development and acquisition activity across Avamere’s portfolio of companies. He founded Point Development Company (“PDCo”) and Ovation, the first micro-CCRC brand in the industry. Ryan’s span of control included market analysis and underwriting, capital formation and syndication, and leading construction and project
management efforts. While with Avamere, he had ownership over the growth of seniors housing, home health, home care, and hospice divisions. Under Haller’s leadership, Avamere was the recipient of 49% growth in its portfolio from 45 to 67 communities and added in excess of $100mm
in annual revenue while at the helm. He professionally trained under Ritz Carlton to develop the foundation of the Ovation brand.

Haller’s early career included stops at Fortress Investment Group (NYSE: FIG) working as the head of M&A integration and disposition of $2 billion of distress senior living assets within Holiday
Retirement, he was the co-founder of Promontory Healthcare, and was the founder of several other successful start-ups including Varcity. In 2014, his team won first place in the Best of Assisted Living Design with the Waterford Grand in Eugene, Oregon.

He serves on the Executive Board of Directors for the American Senior Housing Association (”ASHA”) since 2017. Haller serves on the Advisory Board of Idaho Partners for Good, is an active member of Young Presidents’ Organization (“YPO”) and is a founding member of YPO’s international senior living forum. He is a regular speaker at industry and academic events including for Humanity 2.0 and International Well Building Institute at the NASDAQ and Vatican in
2022.

Haller earned a Master of Business Administration from Mississippi State University after graduating with a GCRED from Portland State University. Haller also holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Nebraska.

Dan Hermann joined Ziegler in 1987. In 2018 he was named President and CEO. He also is the Head of Investment Banking, a member of the Ziegler Board and Executive Committee. As the Head of Investment Banking, Dan is directly responsible for managing Ziegler’s Investment Banking activities. He not only fosters the growth of existing practices, but also pursues potential new practices. With a focus on cross-practice collaboration, he plays an active role in maximizing synergistic opportunities across all investment practices, especially within the healthcare and senior living sectors.

As the head of both the healthcare and senior living practices, Dan was instrumental in the creation of and fundraising for the Ziegler Link•Age Longevity Fund, L.P. (the “Fund”). The Fund is one of the first to focus on the aging market and companies that provide innovative products, services and technologies to meet the growing needs of seniors and senior living providers in this changing era of healthcare reform.

During his 30-year tenure with Ziegler, Dan has become a leading investment banker in the senior living industry. He has structured and led or co-led more than 325 senior living financings exceeding $8.2 billion, cumulating far-ranging experience in the management, structuring and financial analysis of every type of senior living financing.

Dan has utilized his expertise to create financing structures for a large clientele – from stand-alone nursing homes to multi-facility, multi-state systems, including start-up campuses and campuses undergoing major renovation projects. His particular emphasis in recent years has been to provide resources for key decision-makers in an organization to effectuate sound financial and strategic planning initiatives. To that end, Dan has assisted numerous multi-facility systems in their corporate planning efforts. When appropriate, he assists these and other organizations in the structuring of their financings and has developed financing alternatives using the broadest range of financing structures available to maximize yields and flexibility for his clients: traditional fixed rate issues, credit enhanced variable rate structures, extendable rate unenhanced issues, derivative applications, and off-balance sheet financings. Prior to joining Ziegler, he worked for a “Big Four” public accounting firm.

Dan currently resides on a number of investment committees, including the Ziegler Link•Age Longevity Fund, and is on the Advisory Board for Caremerge and the Board for Masterpiece Living. In October 2005, Dan was named to the Contemporary Long Term Care 2005 CLTC Power & Influence Top 25 listing, the magazine’s selection of today’s decision makers “who hold the reins and help shape the path” for senior living. He has lectured at Harvard and internationally on senior living finance (its historical trends, strategic positioning issues, growth potential and other), and served as a member of the CARF-Continuing Care Accreditation Commission’s Financial Advisory Panel.

Dan received a B.S. in finance and accounting from Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, and an M.B.A. with an emphasis in health services management from Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. He is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a number of securities certifications.

Lynne Katzmann is Founder and CEO of Juniper Communities, which invests in, develops and manages senior living and long term care communities.

In May 2019, Lynne was the first winner of the McKnight’s Women of Distinction Lifetime Achievement Award.  In January 2020, Lynne was inducted into the American Senior Housing Association’s Hall of Fame.  Both of these awards speak to the incredible innovation and vision that Lynne has brought to the senior living industry.  Under Lynne’s directorship, Juniper is recognized nationally as a premier senior living provider.

Juniper is the only woman-founded, owned and led business among the top 40 national assisted living companies. Lynne launched the business when she was 32, with six years’ experience in the health care industry and a PhD in economics from the London School of Economics. An active leader in the social entrepreneurship movement at its beginning, she was a firm believer in the so-called double bottom line: doing well by doing good.

Lynne leads an organization known for resident-centered, personalized care. Juniper’s priorities and its many award-winning innovations are consistent with her belief:

Lynne has been involved in the health care industry for nearly 35 years, working in the public and private sectors in the United States and Europe. She serves as a board member of several for- profit and non-profit organizations including ElderCare Alliance of San Francisco, ArtsConnection of New York City and the Social Venture Network.

She lives in Montclair, New Jersey with her partner, Ed Goodell. She also has a son, Andrew, who finished college in the spring of 2016 and is currently working in the seniors housing industry on the investment and finance side.

Bob Kramer is Founder and Fellow at Nexus Insights, a think tank advancing the well-being of older adults through innovative models of housing, community and healthcare. Mr. Kramer is also Co-founder, former CEO, and now Strategic Advisor at the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC).  He is broadly recognized as one of senior living’s most influential and high profile thought leaders and connectors.  With over 35 years of industry leadership, he has earned the reputation of “agent provocateur” in the senior housing and care industry.  He has been described as an “ice-cutter” and scout in identifying industries and trends that will disrupt the future of senior housing, aging services, and aging more broadly.

In 1991, Mr. Kramer co-founded NIC to advance access and choice in seniors housing and care by attracting capital to grow the sector.  Under his leadership, NIC became the go-to resource for data and analytics for the rapidly expanding senior housing and care industry and an acknowledged thought leader for new ideas and trends impacting the provision of housing, services and care for older adults.  Mr. Kramer stepped out of the CEO role in 2107 and continues to serve NIC as Strategic Advisor.

In 2019, Mr. Kramer conceived of and championed “The Forgotten Middle,” a landmark study of the health and socioeconomic status of middle-income adults who will be 75+ in 2029 and their ability to afford private pay senior housing.  The report on the study, published in Health Affairs, was the 5th most read article appearing in this leading health policy monthly journal in 2019.

In April 2020, Mr. Kramer launched Nexus Insights to “rethink aging from every angle.”  The organization engages a network of leading thinkers and thinking leaders to create and champion bold ideas and actionable models to catalyze the next generation of housing, community, health, and engagement for and with older adults.

A former county government official and Maryland state legislator, Mr. Kramer was a leader on health and environmental issues while representing the state capital of Annapolis in the 1980s. Mr. Kramer was educated at Harvard and Oxford Universities and holds a Master of Divinity degree from Westminster Theological Seminary.

Paul has developed senior housing projects valued at over $600 million. He has acquired and developed over 3500 residential beds in over 35 assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing properties. He currently has several communities under development throughout the United States. Paul’s development efforts led to one of the industry’s 1st RIDEA partnerships in 2011 resulting in a $298M joint venture. In 2018, Paul’s team supported the establishment of a $45M private equity partnership. Paul led the newly formed real estate subsidiary sourcing several new opportunities for the partnership’s investment. Paul’s experience covers complex “turnaround” transactions, ground-up development, stabilized core assets and JV partnerships with development and financial firms. His success can be attributed to his ability to identify, build and manage relationships with seniors housing operators, health systems, real estate developers and financial institutions that contribute to the growth of our health care real estate portfolio. Paul received his B.A. in Political Science from UC Santa Barbara and his MBA focused on Real Estate Finance from the USC Marshall School of Business, where he was the President of his Class. Paul is an active member of several not for profit and community service organizations including ARGENTUM’s Workforce Development Committee, National Investment Center for Senior Housing Future Leaders Council and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire CHAASE Board.

David S. Schless has served as ASHA’s President since its creation by the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) in 1991. With over 30 years of industry experience, David has an extensive understanding of seniors housing research, policy and regulatory issues, and an intimate knowledge of the seniors housing business. He is currently involved with the Alzheimer’s Association Brain Ball Committee, the Cornell Institute for Healthy Futures, the Granger Cobb Institute for Senior Living at Washington State University and serves on the editorial board of the Seniors Housing & Care Journal. David has been honored as a Distinguished Alumnus by both the University of Connecticut and the University of North Texas for his work on behalf of seniors.

David holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the Center for Aging and Human Development at the University of Connecticut, and a Master of Science degree from the Department of Applied Gerontology/Center for Studies in Aging at the University of North Texas.

As founder, president, chairman and CEO of Silverado, Loren Shook is often recognized as a memory care futurist. Loren is a true visionary – helping to transform an industry while creating thousands of healthcare jobs – but he is most driven by a lifelong commitment to changing lives.

Loren assures that Silverado has the organizational structure and culture that empowers all leaders to lead, and enables frontline associates to care for the loved ones of the families they serve. His role is to ideate and lead strategic planning, identify new opportunities, partner with key public policy influencers and further the industry – making it possible for Silverado to achieve its mission and vision to change the world. A leader in senior housing, he frequently speaks at national and international events, and has presented to the Senate Special Committee on Aging – bringing insight on how to provide quality of life for people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Loren is the recipient of awards that include the University of California Irvine’s Institute for Memory Impairment and Neurological Disorders’ (UCI MIND) 2015 Community Leadership Honoree Award, Southern California 55+ Housing Council’s Person of the Year Award, Boomer Business Summit’s Innovation in Leadership and Service Award, Mission Hospital Foundation’s Vision Award, Ernest & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year award in health care and others. He co-authored New Possibilities in Memory Care: The Silverado Story and The Silverado Story: A Memory Care Culture Where Love is Greater than Fear. Prior to founding Silverado, he served as President and COO of Community Psychiatric Centers, an international NYSE company.

Loren is proud of creating an environment where people help other people achieve their dreams – such as a caregiver who becomes a Registered Nurse and Director of Health Services, a case manager who becomes President and CEO of a multi-state behavioral hospital company, or an associate who starts her own company. His greatest passion in life is helping everyone he touches find quality of life, including friends, family, Silverado residents, patients, clients and associates – and witnessing what the Silverado team has done to improve quality of life for the memory impaired by demonstrating for others what is possible and then seeing those principles adopted throughout the world

Scott Tittle is a Managing Director, Head of Government Relations and External Affairs for VIUM Capital, a national financial services firm focused on providing capital solutions to the seniors housing and healthcare sectors. Prior to joining VIUM Capital, Mr. Tittle worked at the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHAC/NCAL) as the NCAL Executive Director. Prior to that role, Mr. Tittle was the President of the Indiana Health Care Association/Indiana Center for Assisted Living, the Indiana state affiliate of AHCA/NCAL. Mr. Tittle also previously served as Health Care Policy Advisor to Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels and was a lawyer in private practice with the law firms of Krieg DeVault and Feagre Drinker. He is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and the Indiana University Maurer School of Law.

Matt Derrick is the Vice President of Development for the Senior Housing team at Confluent Development. Matt works closely with Confluent’s senior housing operating partners to ensure existing projects receive entitlements and approvals and construction stays on schedule. Matt leads a team in the identification, pursuit and acquisition of sites in new and existing markets, nationally, for future development. Matt has overseen the development of over $600m in total project costs during his seven years with Confluent.

Matt has a diverse real estate background and started his real estate development career over 18 years ago at Opus Northwest and was focused on the development of Opus’ multifamily development projects. Matt has also held positions in commercial brokerage asset management, land development, land entitlements and land acquisitions. Matt currently sits on the Future Leaders Council for the National Investment Center for Senior Housing and Care (NIC) and leads the University Outreach Committee.

A Denver native, Matt is active in the community and previously held an Associate Board position with ACE Scholarships and was a Big Brother for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado. Matt holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a Master’s Degree in Real Estate and Construction Management from the University of Denver.

Dan Carr is the Vice President of Operations for BHI Senior Living located in Indianapolis, IN.  BHI is a not-for-profit organization that owns and operates life care communities in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. Dan has worked in his current role at BHI since 2017.  Prior to that he served as the executive director at The Towne House, a BHI care community, since 1985.  He has worked in the long term care industry since 1978.  Dan is a certified Fellow in the American College of Health Care Administrators and has served on that organization’s national board at various times.  Dan has also taken on leadership roles in Leading Age Indiana.   Dan graduated from the Indiana University School of Medicine with a bachelor’s degree in health care administration and then obtained a master’s degree in public affairs (MPA) with a concentration in health care management from Indiana University.  Dan has taught long term care courses at various times at Indiana University- Fort Wayne.

Andrea has been the Executive Vice President at the National Association for Home Care and Hospice since January of 2017.  In that role she manages day-to-day operations and coordinates the programming and planning of the educational meetings administered through the Home Care University.  She is the Board liaison and aides them in their governing of the organization.  Andrea has over 20 years in home care and hospice 18 years as the President and CEO of Neighborhood Health a Home care and Hospice company serving Chester County Pennsylvania and the surrounding area.  Andrea holds a Master of Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master’s in Business Administration from Widener University.

With significant experience, Eric has led organizations across the healthcare and senior living continuum. A graduate of the University of Kentucky, with a Masters in Healthcare Administration and Gerontology, Eric is well versed in development, management, leadership, governance and operations of senior services organizations. As a Chief Operating Officer of Premier Senior Living, Eric heads the new REVELA brand of senior living communities.

A champion of advancement of the profession of senior services leadership, Eric was one of the earliest to become recognized as a Health Services Executive (HSE) and hold fellowship with the American College of Health Care Administrators and the American College of Healthcare Executives. Eric continues to be involved in national efforts for the creation of common entry requirements and educational standards for senior services leaders, serving on boards and collaborations that include The American College of Healthcare Care Administrators (ACHCA); The American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE); The National Association of Boards (NAB); Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and Moving Forward Coalition. Eric is versed in the shifting paradigms and changing models of senior services and, in tandem, the needed advancement of the profession of senior services leadership.

Donald Husi has worked in the senior housing and care industry for 36 years. As of 2022, Donald has decided to step aside from his day-to-day responsibilities and focus on various consulting assignments in the short to mid-term. His experience provides a unique combination of leadership, management, operational, financial and strategic direction within the Senior Living industry operations, REIT and finance sectors. Client organizations have prospered from the implementation of Donald’s ambitious and creative operational, marketing and financing strategies.

Donald worked as Managing Director of the Senior Housing & Care team at Ziegler. Prior to joining Ziegler, Don spent over 16 years in operations with American Retirement Corporation, now Brookdale Senior Living. He is a former licensed nursing home administrator in multiple states, has extensive turnaround/distressed asset operational experience, and managed the firm’s not-for-profit third-party management business.

Don received a Bachelor of Science degree in health care administration from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He received a Senior Housing Executive Certificate from the University of Southern California, Davis, School of Gerontology, and the USC Marshall School of Business in 2016. Don is also currently a board member at the Center for Health Administration and Aging Services Excellence (CHAASE) at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He is a member of the American Seniors Housing Association, National Investment Center for Senior Living, Leadership Health Care, and Nashville Health Care Council.

Keith Knapp, PhD, MHA, HSE, CNHA, FACHCA currently serves as Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Health Management and Policy at the University of Kentucky’s College of Public Health, and as Senior Advisor – Adult Programs, Office of the Secretary, Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.  He holds a PhD in gerontology and BS in Arts & Sciences from the University of Kentucky, and earned his MHA at Xavier University.  Dr. Knapp has presided as board chair of the American College of Health Care Administrators, the National Association of Long-Term Care Administrator Boards and the NAB Foundation, and the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Long-Term Care Administrators.

Bob Lane has been working in health care since 1982, and in the profession of long-term care administration since 1987. He began his career in Missouri with National Healthcare Corporation (NHC), where he remained until relocating to his home state of Oklahoma in 2000. Since then, Bob has worked in the skilled nursing, assisted living and long-term acute care space.  Most recently, he has provided operations consulting for health care providers across the country with BKD CPAs and Advisors. He is a Fellow of the American College of Health Care Administrators (FACHCA). He is also a Certified Nursing Home Administrator (CNHA). Bob is the past Board Chair of ACHCA and has been a member of the board since 2013. Bob resides in Edmond, Oklahoma, with his wife Rose

As chief executive officer of LCS, Joel Nelson is responsible for executing the business strategy across all business lines in the LCS Family of Companies. Joel provides leadership and direction for business growth, service excellence, and enhancing the company’s stability and value among financial partners, property owners, and other stakeholders in the senior living field. Joel joined LCS in 1986 and has held several executive roles during his long tenured career with LCS. Today, he is responsible for the oversight of serving nearly 40,000+ seniors and 27,000 employees in 140+ communities.

Joel serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of LCS Holding Company, LLC, is a member of the compensation committee and is a trustee of the Company’s 401(k) benefits program. Outside LCS, Joel serves on various industry and community boards. Within the industry, Joel is the current chairman of the Argentum Board of Directors, and a member of the National Investment Center operator advisory board and an executive member of the American Senior Housing Association. Joel is active in the Des Moines community and serves as a trustee for ChildServe. As a past board member, he remains active with the Alzheimer’s Association and the Central Iowa United Way Board of Directors.

In 2012, Ritchie joined the team of the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), the largest association representing skilled care centers and assisted living communities in the country.  She is an experienced Capitol Hill advocate and is the Associate Vice President of Constituency Services and Workforce at the association. In this role, she advocates on issues impacting AHCA/NCAL members and is focused on the workforce crisis the long-term care sector has been facing.

Ritchie also staffs the Association’s Not for Profit Council, representing over 25 percent of the association’s total membership, and oversees member services to developmental disabilities residential services providers.  Ritchie also manages senior housing issues and serves as a liaison between AHCA’s over 14,500-strong membership and agencies like the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Veterans Affairs.  Prior to joining AHCA/NCAL, Ritchie worked at the American College of Surgeons and for U.S. Senator Kent Conrad.

Peter shares responsibility for the overall management, development and direction of Pathway Health.  As Chief Executive Officer his primary responsibilities lie in strategic vision for the company, oversight of day-to-day operations, management of product area directors, management of strategic partnerships and Pathway Health’s strategic growth. Peter brings over a decade of health care operations experience to Pathway Health. Since joining Pathway, Peter has been instrumental in managing industry partnerships and has also guided Pathway’s strategic direction of information technology. Peter is very involved in industry activities, as it relates to the implementation and policy direction of information technology. Peter spent the past 4 years serving on state and national long-term care information technology committees helping to bring technology to the forefront of the long-term care industry. Prior to joining Pathway, Peter served as a Health Care Administrator for both the HealthEast Care System and Benedictine Health System. As a long-term care administrator, Peter led the facility through 3 straight years of deficiency free surveys and achieved superior financial results. Through progressively responsible leadership roles, Peter has mentored, trained and directed facilities to successful outcomes.

John Spooner is the Co-Chief Executive Officer at Greystone. He is responsible for guiding Greystone’s services, managing and driving annual business performance, formulating and executing strategies for clients, and interacting with clients, employees, investors, and other stakeholders. John has over 35 years of experience in marketing a variety of housing options to seniors and has been heavily involved in various sales, marketing, recruitment, advertising, and market evaluation activities. John has a Bachelor of Arts from Drake University and graduate degrees from the University of London and the University of Pittsburgh.

Shay VanEyll is currently pursuing a degree in Healthcare Administration while working as a caregiver in the memory care unit of a senior living community. She is the current chapter president of the ACHCA student chapter, has received a number of academic recognitions. In her future, she hopes to become a Hospital Administrator, work in memory care or hold a position where she  is able to oversee multiple senior living facilities.

In his role as Chief Strategy Officer, Steve leads collaborative system-wide initiatives focused on innovation, growth, and impact. He works with a team of professionals who plan and implement large expansion and repositioning projects at Kendal affiliate communities, and creates new communities, ventures, university partnerships and programs in support of Kendal’s mission. Steve led Kendal’s expansion to the west coast with Enso Village, an innovative partnership with the San Francisco Zen Center; and the relocation of Kendal headquarters to the campus of the University of Delaware.

Steve’s 30 years of real estate experience includes complex and creative development projects nationwide.  A licensed landscape architect, he has an undergraduate degree in land planning from Michigan State University and an MBA from the Whittemore School of Business and Economics at UNH. A member of LeadingAge, SAGE and ULI, Steve has presented at state and national conferences on development and the field of senior living.

John Cochrane is president and chief executive officer of HumanGood, the sixth-largest nonprofit senior living provider in the country. HumanGood’s mission is to inspire the best life for our residents, team members and everyone in our HumanGood family. Our organization was founded on the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to live life with enthusiasm, confidence and security, regardless of physical, social or economic circumstances.

John first joined HumanGood in 2009 and his vision for growing the mission and focusing on innovative thinking has helped transform the organization from six life plan communities in Southern California, to now 23 life plan communities and 99 affordable housing communities in eight states.

Previously, John was chief operating officer for Lifespace Communities, and he has his law degree from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Northern Illinois University. In addition to leading HumanGood, John serves on the board of ReSurge International. He currently resides in Manhattan Beach, California, with his wife Lisa and their labradoodle, Harvey.

Scott Eckstein has over 30 years of diverse research, analysis, development, operations and education experience in the senior living space. He is the Director and Adjunct Professor of the Master of Management in Hospitality Program at Boston University, Managing Director at Active Living International, an internationally focused active adult and senior living advisory firm, as well as a Strategic Advisor for CiminoCare, a California-based middle-market senior housing company. Eckstein was also a Clinical Assistant Professor and the Senior Living Executive-In-Residence at the Granger Cobb Institute for Senior Living in the Carson College of Business at Washington State University.

His senior living experience began in the nascent days of senior housing. He has helped promote the creation of purpose-built, environments for senior wellness, lifestyles and care as well as having specialized in the creation and operation of a unique range of residential alternatives for the aging population worldwide with Active Living International. Eckstein has held management positions at senior living operators Brookdale, Emeritus (now Brookdale), Aegis Living, Sunrise Senior Living and ARV Assisted Living (now Atria).  In addition, he was also the Director of Business Development at WellAWARE Systems (now part of Best Buy), a pioneer in the senior tech space.

Eckstein’s university duties included teaching senior living management courses, crafting a major in senior living management, workforce development programs, including online education and leadership curricula, developing outreach programs as well as coordinating industry research and speaking on various topics germane to senior living industry and developing industry leaders. He was actively involved in the formation of the Granger Cobb Institute of Senior Living at Washington State University.

Eckstein has been, and continues to be, directly involved in senior living projects throughout the United States, South and Central America, Europe, Africa and Asia and specializes in providing strategic analysis, acquisitions, development, education and operations advisory solutions for an aging planet through his work with Active Living International, CiminoCare and his advisory practice, Maroz Advisory.

Eckstein, a native of New York City, received his MBA at New York University in New York, NY and his bachelor’s degree at The American University, in Washington, DC, and has done course work in photography at both Brooks Institute of Photography and Maine Media Workshops. Currently living in Southern California, he devotes his free time to family, photography, performing local volunteer work for local athletics programs, particularly relative to his son’s ice hockey team and working with charities for children with special needs. He has also volunteered for the Alzheimer’s Association and written on senior living topics for Alzheimer’s disease advocate Maria Shriver.

Michelle B. Grachek, M.Ed., CAE, is the President of the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB). Michelle works in collaboration with NAB’s volunteer leadership to provide strategic direction and governance expertise to the organization. As part of Bostrom Corporation, the association management company managing NAB’s operational needs, Michelle utilizes her educational background to design and implement innovative tools to facilitate NAB initiatives as well as those of other clients.

As a former public-school educator and chief operating officer (COO), Michelle has over 20 years of professional and regulatory association experience. Prior to joining the NAB team, Michelle was the Director of Operations with the American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA).

Michelle earned her Master’s (M.Ed.) degree, as well as her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education, from Clemson University. She is a strong advocate for those who are among the most vulnerable with the nation, inclusive of the disabled/elderly population and homeless animals.

As NIC’s Chief Operating Officer, Chuck oversees and guides NIC’s market outreach and education, research and analytics, as well as the event programming and logistics, and corporate communications and marketing. Prior to joining NIC in 2010, Chuck worked at Cushman & Wakefield, where he held the positions within its Global Capital Markets Group of Managing Director, Investment Strategies, and Managing Director, Analytics.

His 30+ year career is comprised of institutional investment management across various commercial real estate property types with an emphasis on the apartment/multifamily sector. Early on, he helped solidify the apartment sector as one of the core property types for institutional investors. At the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries (NCREIF), where he was Director of Real Estate, Chuck expanded the association’s product lines with new indices and developed public outreach as well as market education programs. At Cushman & Wakefield, in addition to forecasting and monitoring economic and real estate market trends, he helped establish global infrastructures to facilitate cross-border transactions and the firm’s emerging investment management operations.

Chuck received his Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He received a Bachelor of City Planning from the University of Virginia, School of Architecture.

Jennifer Johs-Artisensi is Professor and Academic Program Director for the Health Care Administration Program at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.  She has a master’s degree in public health and a Ph.D. in health psychology and behavioural medicine. She has worked as both a practitioner and consultant in settings across the care continuum and is a licensed assisted living director.

She teaches aging, resident services, health care finance and reimbursement, and leadership development classes in the NAB Health Services Executive – Accredited undergraduate health care administration program, and a health systems course in the MBA program. Her research interests include resident-focused care, quality of life, health care policy, long-term care management, health care administration education, and leadership development. She recently co-authored a book entitled, Quality of Life and Well-Being for Residents in Long-Term Care Communities – Perspectives on Policies and Practices. She is the Chair-Elect of NAB, the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB).

Christy Kramer is the Vice President of Student Engagement and Workforce Partnerships at LeadingAge. Prior to this role, she served as the Executive Director of LeadingAge DC, where she led the association’s advocacy, networking, professional development, and membership initiatives within the District of Columbia. In her role as the Vice President of Student Engagement and Workforce Partnerships, she designs and develops opportunities for college and graduate level students to learn and explore the field of aging services while developing University relationships with LeadingAge and its members. A licensed nursing home administrator in the state of Maryland for 16 years, Christy began her career as a nursing home administrator of a 285-bed nursing home in Gaithersburg, Maryland. In 2008, Christy was nominated by her organization and selected as a member of the LeadingAge Leadership Academy Fellowship class of 2008. Subsequently, Christy joined George Washington University in the Master of Health Administration program, where she worked with the long-term faculty on curriculum development and NAB Accreditation. She continues her work at GWU as an adjunct faculty member. Christy received her bachelor’s degree from Cornell University in Design and Environmental Analysis and her Master of Health Services Administration from George Washington University.

Lisa McCracken joined the senior living team at Ziegler in July 2013. As a director of senior living research and development, her primary focus is concentrated on conducting industry research and trend analyses for educative purposes in the form of presentations, newsletters, and research publications. Lisa supports the national senior living finance practice and also works to advance the comprehensive healthcare goals of the firm. In her role, she facilitates a number of primary research projects, coordinates national, regional and statewide industry conferences, and regularly engages with boards and leadership teams to strategically plan for their future needs.

Prior to joining Ziegler, Lisa most recently served as president of a national senior living research and consulting firm where her tenure lasted more than 13 years. Lisa’s industry experience spans more than 20 years. She is a seasoned lecturer, facilitator and researcher and has contributed in a meaningful way to the advancement of the senior living and care sector.

Lisa has served on various state, regional and national workgroups and has been a board member of various not-for-profit community organizations. Outside of senior living she has extensive experience in the healthcare and public health sectors with community health improvement, community benefit and planning activities.

Travis leads the LTPAC market business strategy, delivering on bookings, revenue conversion, vision alignment, and segment expansion. During his PointClickCare tenure, Travis has harnessed his deep-seated industry knowledge to drive success as the General Manager of senior living, as well as in his role leading the industry market team.
Passionate about serving vulnerable populations, Travis has worked closely with the nation’s largest and most advanced senior living providers for over 25 years. Prior to joining PointClickCare, Travis served as an Executive Director, Director of Operations, and Divisional Director of business development of a national provider of senior care services. He then translated his understanding of post-acute facility operations to sales and executive leadership roles within healthcare technology.
His unique background unites the nuances of post-acute facility operation with an evidential understanding of how technology can better the lives of individuals across the healthcare continuum.

Tina Sandri, MHSA, LNHA, QCP, is CEO of Forest Hills of DC, a continuum of senior living services that has served residents for 135+ years in our Nation’s capital, including assisted living, memory care, long and short stay skilled care, respite and hospice care. She has led in for-profit, Non-profit, chain, and free-standing healthcare environments, including hospitals and CCRCs. A George Washington University Graduate, she has also served as Adjunct Faculty in the Health Care Administration program. She currently serves on the AHCA Board of Governors and is Immediate Past Chair of DCHCA, AHCA’s state affiliate in DC.  She has served on the Board of Leading Age DC.  She is currently pursuing her 500-hour certification as a yoga instructor and integrates her yoga practice into her leadership to support resilient teams. Past successes with her teams include achieving the 4^th  Magnet certified nursing home in the USA, first senior living in DC to conduct whole house Covid testing, and being awarded Ambassador of the Year for Aging2.0 for mentoring entrepreneurs in the aging space. Her person-centered, culturally competent team approach to vaccinations was featured on the front page of The New York Times and other major press outlets. Her professional and personal mission is to do good, create abundance and have some fun along the way.

Daniel Schwartz is the Chief Strategy Officer for Elara Caring. He most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of Abode Healthcare, a Summit Partners-backed hospice and home health services provider operating in 12 states through more than 40 branch offices. Mr. Schwartz’s brings 30+ years of experience growing and scaling health care services organizations across a number of segments including senior housing, home care, skilled home health care, hospice and medical adult day care. He has served in executive roles across leaders including Addus Home Care, Almost Family, LHC Group and Sunrise Senior Living.

Mr. Schwartz’s senior living experience includes senior leadership roles with Sunrise Senior Living, serving as COO, North American Operations as the company grew from a small, regional company to an industry leader spanning 400+ communities across North America, Canada and the UK. My Schwartz began his career as a manager of a single Sunrise community culminating in his role leading operations across North America.

Mr. Schwartz received a business degree from George Washington University and successfully completed the Masters in Health Services Management and Leadership program at George Washington University.

Robyn I. Stone, DrPH, is senior vice president for research at LeadingAge and co-director of the LeadingAge LTSS Center at UMass Boston, a research center with offices in Washington, DC, and Boston, MA. A noted researcher and internationally recognized authority on aging services, Robyn has been engaged in policy development, program evaluation, large-scale demonstration projects, and other applied research activities for more than 40 years. She was a political appointee in the Clinton Administration, serving in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as deputy assistant secretary for disability, aging, and long-term care policy. She also served as assistant secretary for aging.

Robyn’s widely published work addresses long-term care policy and quality, chronic care for people with disabilities, the aging services workforce, affordable senior housing, and family caregiving. In addition, she is a fellow of the Gerontological Society of America and the National Academy of Social Insurance and was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2014.

Robyn received a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, and a Doctor of Public Health degree from the University of California Berkeley. Her work bridges the worlds of research, policy, and practice to improve the care delivered to older adults—particularly lower-income populations—and to ensure the best quality of life for these individuals and their families.

Dr. David G. Wolf is the Professor and Program Coordinator of the Health Care Management Program in the College of Business and Management at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. Dr. Wolf graduated from Villanova University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Administrative Science and a minor in Accounting. He graduated Suma Cum Laude from Cabrini University, where he received his Master of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership and was awarded the Sigma Phi Omega National Gerontological Honor Society Medal for academic achievement. In 2012, he obtained his Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in Business Strategy from Eastern University in St. Davids, PA., also graduating with highest honors. He most recently graduated from the Seton Hall University School of Law, obtaining a Master of Jurisprudence degree in Healthcare and Hospital Law in 2018.

Dr. Wolf began his career in the long-­term care industry in 1983 and purchased his first nursing home in 1990. He successfully grew his company and, at the time of the sale in 2000, his organization encompassed a 180-bed skilled nursing facility, 100-bed assisted living facility, a certified Medicare home health care agency, a nurse staffing agency, and an outpatient rehabilitation facility.

Dr. Wolf’s research specializes in long-term care quality improvement. He began his research by joining the team at Florida Atlantic University College of Medicine that created the INTERACT quality improvement program that is used in many long-term care organizations. He is currently the consulting subject matter expert for a National Institutes of Health research grant that will create a toolkit for nursing homes to deal with residents who are clinically obese. He is also serving on a research committee that is part of the “moving forward” coalition from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) that will create sustainable action plans based on the April 2022 NASEM report recommendations to reform long-term care.

David currently serves as the national Academic Board Member of the American College of Health Care Administrators and has been a certified nursing home, assisted living, and post-acute care administrator since 1988. He is licensed to practice in Florida and New Jersey.