MONDAY, MAY 19
In today’s fast-paced, high-pressure world, leaders and teams are constantly chasing more—more output, more results, more success. But what if the secret to unlocking peak performance wasn’t about doing more, but aligning with
what already comes naturally? In this transformative keynote, Erin King—renowned speaker and researcher behind The Energy Exam—reveals how to harness your unique “energy instinct” to elevate your influence, productivity, and
impact without burnout.
Grounded in cutting-edge research and real-world application, The Energy Instinct introduces audiences to a personalized approach to energy management. Erin’s insights, developed from her PhD-led
study of over 10,000 participants, uncover the five distinct “energy instincts”—Kinetic, Generative, Rigorous, Responsive, and Synergistic—and how understanding yours can unlock effortless energy flow, resilience, and peak
performance.
Through engaging storytelling and actionable strategies, Erin inspires audiences to stop chasing perfection and start aligning with their presence. This isn’t about adding more effort—it’s about making energy effortless.
Learning Objectives:
• Discover Your Energy Instinct: Learn which of the five unique energy instincts fuels you naturally and how to tap into yours early and often to raise your energy sustainably.
•
Shift from Effort to Alignment: Discover why energy management is the new time management and how aligning with your instincts creates effortless flow and focus.
•
Peak Energy, Peak Performance: Develop a tailored strategy to show up fully charged for high-stakes moments, driving stronger, more favorable outcomes in your work and life.
• Practical Energy Hacks: Walk away with simple, science-backed habits to pre-charge your energy before critical tasks and avoid the burnout cycle.
This keynote empowers leaders, teams, and organizations to move beyond surviving to thriving by tapping into their natural energy instincts and raising their performance to the next level.
Target Audience: All aging services professionals
Concurrent Sessions 1 | 3:30 - 4:15 pm
with Stacey Hallissey, SVP of Integrity & Quality Improvement, and Freda Mowad, CEO,
QRM
Learn strategies to navigate Managed Care contracting and re-negotiations effectively as a leader.
This session provides leaders with strategies for successfully navigating Managed Care contracting and contract re-negotiations and empowers IDT members with the necessary information for optimal
clinical care delivery. Attendees will learn how to achieve clinical and financial success by understanding the critical details required by various departments for successful performance.
Learning Objectives:
• Gain key strategies for navigating Managed Care contracting and re-negotiation processes
•
Understand what Managed Care organizations need to know about your community to overcome common obstacles
•
Learn the critical Managed Care details required by the Admissions, Rehab, Nursing, and Billing departments for successful clinical and operational performance
Target Audience: Administrators; C-Suite
with Greg Hunteman, President, Pi Architects; Sarah Loyd, Associate Executive Director, Westminster; Dan Novelli,
Director of Development, LCS; Brandon Powell, Managing Director, Ziegler
Gain a comprehensive framework for executing phased repositioning strategies successfully.
This session offers senior living professionals a comprehensive framework for executing phased repositioning strategies that enhance community appeal, inclusivity, and operational effectiveness.
Attendees will learn about design principles, cost management, stakeholder engagement, and financing plans.
Learning Objectives:
• Implement project parameters that satisfy the expectations of residents, staff, family, and other stakeholders during a multi-phased community repositioning project
•
Establish key master planning and design considerations for a successful repositioning project
•
Understand the financing methods utilized, including the board's and management's evaluations, to determine the best approach
Target Audience: Administrators; Board Members; General Audience
Learn how to leverage AI to expand your reach, enhance engagement, and optimize impact.
This session explores AI-driven marketing and communication strategies to enhance organizational reach and impact. Attendees will learn practical AI techniques for personalized outreach, donor engagement, and workflow
automation and participate in hands-on exercises to develop their own custom AI persona(s).
Learning Objectives:
• Gain expert insights into how AI technology can enhance marketing, development, programs, and communications
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Engage in hands-on exercises to create an AI persona and integrate it into ongoing marketing, development, and communications efforts
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Learn about various AI tools and programs to enhance efficiency, personalization, and decision-making
Target Audience: Philanthropy/Development; C-Suite; Marketing & Sales
with Dave Goodridge, Executive Coach and Leadership Consultant, Wipfli
Understand the impact of creating psychological safety in the workplace as a leader.
Attendees will learn strategies that promote psychological safety and inclusion and improve both the retention and performance of their workforce.
Learning Objectives:
• Define psychological safety and its key components
•
Explain the significance of psychological safety in fostering an inclusive and productive workplace
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Develop actionable strategies to cultivate and sustain psychological safety within your team
Target Audience: Administrators, Nurses, General Audience
TUESDAY, MAY 20
Tuesday General Session | 9:00 - 10:30 am
The future of aging services is being shaped by those willing to think differently, collaborate boldly, and act with purpose. In this keynote, Dr. Robyn Stone will share how research, real-world innovation, and collective action are driving meaningful change across our field. With an emphasis on practical solutions and inspiring success stories, this session will highlight how every leader—regardless of role—can contribute to a lasting impact.
How do we create a better future for aging services? By embracing innovation, strengthening collaboration, and harnessing the power of our collective expertise. Dr. Robyn Stone, a nationally recognized leader in long-term
services and supports, will bring fresh insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping our work today. She’ll explore workforce solutions, care model innovations, and real examples of how organizations are making
a difference. Through an engaging and forward-thinking conversation, attendees will walk away with actionable ideas to implement in their own communities—proving that big change starts with small ripples of impact.
Learning Objectives:•
Gain a fresh perspective on the current landscape of aging services and what’s ahead
•
Learn how research-driven insights can translate into practical, real-world improvements •
Discover strategies for strengthening workforce resilience and leadership within your organization •
Leave inspired to take action, collaborate, and drive meaningful change in your community
Target Audience: All attendees
Concurrent Sessions 2 | 10:45 - 11:30 am
Learn strategies to prevent elopement by understanding cultural diversity and tracking elopement risk.
This session focuses on understanding cultural diversity, tracking elopement risk, and implementing creative person-centered strategies to prevent elopement. Attendees will learn to identify at-risk
individuals, predict and plan to reduce elopement behaviors and engage clients in activities that keep them calm and satisfied.
Learning Objectives:
•
Describe the difference between pacing, wandering, and elopement and how to protect clients in each situation
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Identify ways to predict and plan to reduce elopement behaviors
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Participate in person-centered activities that engage clients and keep them calm and satisfied
Target Audience: Activities Professionals, Administrators, Nurses, Social Workers
Explore the potential of compensating board members in non-profit organizations.
Join us to engage in a lively discussion about board compensation. Using spirited debate, we’ll explore both sides of this provocative topic.
Learning Objectives:
• Understand what is known about the compensation of board members in non-profit organizations
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Review the potential opportunities and challenges associated with compensating board members
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Develop a systematic approach to assess and consider board compensation
Target Audience: C-Suite; Board Members; Philanthropy/Development
with David McCoy, vCISO and George Makaye, CEO, GXA IT
Learn fundamental cybersecurity strategies for aging services and care communities, with a focus on HIPAA compliance.
This session introduces fundamental cybersecurity strategies for aging services and care facilities, focusing on HIPAA compliance and ethical protection of information. Attendees will learn practical strategies for
safeguarding data, training staff, and preparing for cyber incidents.
Learning Objectives:
• Identify fundamental cybersecurity strategies for HIPAA compliance
•
Develop and implement staff awareness training programs
•
Understand ethical considerations and privacy
Target Audience: Administrators, C-Suite, HR Professionals
Prioritize your mental health and well-being as an aging services professional.
This session focuses on fostering resilience and promoting self-care among healthcare professionals. Attendees will
explore effective strategies for stress management and peer support, gaining actionable tools to enhance their well-being and prevent burnout.
Learning Objectives:
• Develop resilience and self-care practices
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Enhance emotional well-being and manage stress effectively
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Build a supportive community for peer connection
Target Audience: Activities Professionals, Administrators, Nurses, Social Workers
Concurrent Session 2.5A | 12:00 - 12:45 pm
with Michael Cummings, Healthcare Administrator and Jennifer Ortiz, RN, Assistant Director of Nursing, MRC The Crossings
Explore the importance of resident-centered living in aging services.
This session teaches attendees how to differentiate their community as a five-star establishment through consistent effort, innovation, and a commitment to excellence. Key topics include culture, innovation, and clinical nursing
practices.
Learning Objectives:
• Understand the culture of a great organization and its impact on resident-centered living
•
Explore new ways to utilize innovations to stay ahead of changes in the population, technology, and competition
•
Learn about clinical and nursing innovations that assist in creating a resident-centered life
Target Audience: Administrators, Nurses
Concurrent Sessions 3 | 1:00 - 1:45 pm
with Katherine Bechdol, Senior Manager, Area Clinical Support, Sodexo
Learn about the latest research on nutrition and cognitive resilience, including insights on popular diets.
This presentation will highlight recent nutrition and cognitive resilience research and offer insights into popular diets. It will also feature collaborative work with Social Impact Partners, a
global alliance prioritizing brain health and promoting healthy living. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the connections between food, lifestyle, dementia, and cognitive health.
Learning Objectives:
• Describe the risk factors for dementia and the impact nutrition can have
•
Understand the various diets studied and their impact on cognition
•
Review recent research to understand the close connections between food, lifestyle, dementia, and cognitive health
Target Audience: Administrators, C-Suite; Dining & Hospitality
with Kyle Hemminger, Director, and Katherine Kirchhoff, Managing Director, Cain Brothers;
Jenelle Bertolino, Chief Strategy Officer, Forefront Living
Explore opportunities for growth through acquisitions and affiliations to gain scale and strengthen your mission.
This session will explore growth opportunities via acquisitions and affiliations, providing insights from providers, advisors, and legal counsel. Attendees will learn about the challenges of greenfield development and
expansion projects and how to navigate industry headwinds to achieve scalable growth.
Learning Objectives:
• Define and discuss why providers are pursuing inorganic growth
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Identify best practices and tools to facilitate growth and compare and contrast acquisition and affiliation strategies
•
Discuss the role of the board and legal considerations impacting growth strategies
Target Audience: Board Members, C-Suite, General Audience
with Tiffany Karlin, Partner; Rebecca Hurst, Senior Manager; Stephanie Smith, Senior Manager, Wipfli
Rethink your business processes and people strategies as an aging services leader.
This panel will offer practical solutions to shared data and analytic issues, focusing on improving report generation and strategic decision-making. Attendees will learn to streamline processes, eliminate disconnected
systems, and utilize cutting-edge technology to enhance organizational growth and efficiency.
Learning Objectives:
• Streamline processes so that staff can focus on what matters most
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Make reporting and forecasting easier and more accessible
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Speed up stakeholder analyses and decision-making
Target Audience: Administrators, C-Suite, Philanthropy/Development
Gain insights and practical resources for building philanthropic programs that support staff and enhance organizational culture.
This session will provide details on developing and growing programs like the Employee Emergency Fund, Employee Scholarship Funds, and the Take Time to Give Time program. Attendees will learn how these initiatives
benefit staff members and enhance organizational culture without significantly increasing expenses.
Learning Objectives:
• Understand the value of an Employee Emergency Fund and its impact on culture and employee recruitment
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Learn how philanthropy can be used to create a scholarship program for employees
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See the value of making paid hours available to employees to volunteer in service to other non-profits in their local community
Target Audience: C-Suite, HR Professionals, Philanthropy/Development
Concurrent Sessions 4 | 2:45 - 3:30 pm
Explore the importance of person-centered care that considers the needs of the whole family.
This session will explore the key elements of engaging and communicating with families to enhance the quality of life for older adults. Attendees will learn how to empower families with knowledge, foresight,
and realistic expectations, improving the overall care experience for both older adults and their caregivers.
Learning Objectives:
• Describe and identify the impact of aging on the older adult and their family
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Learn strategies to enhance family engagement and resilience
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Improve communication with family decision-makers and caregivers to support both the aging adult and their family
Target Audience: Activities Professionals, General Audience, Nurses, Social Workers
with Gregg Bundschuh, Managing Principal and Walter Constantine, VP/Team Leader, EPIC Senior Living
Gain a clear understanding of the personal risks faced by senior living executives and board members, along with effective solutions.
This session will examine the personal liabilities faced by directors and officers in senior living organizations. Attendees will learn about the events that trigger undiscovered liability, the importance
of educating the board, and how to structure D&O coverage to mitigate risks.
Learning Objectives:
• Provide clear direction and understanding of the functions of a D&O policy
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Address concerns of specific realizations in real-time through audience Q&A
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Equip executives with the ability to educate and inform board members
Target Audience: C-Suite, Board Members
Learn about LeadingAge Texas’s advocacy efforts during the 89th Legislative Session and discover ways to stay engaged in shaping policy beyond the session. Gain practical strategies for building relationships with lawmakers and strengthening advocacy within your community.
This session will highlight key advocacy efforts from the 89th Legislative Session and explore opportunities for continued engagement. From hosting legislators at their communities to involving leadership teams, board members, and
residents and their families in advocacy, members will gain actionable strategies to amplify their impact and ensure ongoing support for aging services.
Learning Objectives:
• Understand the role and impact of LeadingAge Texas’s advocacy during the 89th Legislative Session
•
Identify ways to sustain advocacy efforts in the interim and beyond
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Learn effective approaches for engaging with legislators and leadership teams
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Discover how to take meaningful action to influence aging services policy
Target Audience: All members & their board members
Learn how to foster awareness and understanding of neurodiversity in the workplace, promote inclusive practices, and implement actionable strategies to support neurodivergent employees.
This session explores the concept of neurodiversity and its importance in building innovative and inclusive work environments. We will discuss the business case for neuro inclusion, recruiting strategies, inclusive communication practices,
and ways to celebrate neurodivergent talent.
Learning Objectives:
• Define neurodiversity and recognize its value in the workplace
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Identify effective recruitment strategies for attracting neurodivergent talent
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Explore best practices for creating an inclusive work environment and supporting neurodivergent employees
Target Audience: Administrators, Diversity and Inclusion practitioners, HR professionals, Managers/Team leads, and anyone interested in fostering a more inclusive and supportive work environment for neurodiverse
individuals
In this session, participants will explore the fundamentals of trauma and how it can manifest in both their personal lives and in their leadership roles. Lisa will guide leaders through the process of recognizing
trauma responses, both within themselves and their teams, while offering practical tools for creating a supportive and empathetic work environment. By understanding the impact of trauma, leaders can foster
resilience and compassion, leading to healthier teams and more effective leadership.
Learning Objectives:
• Define trauma and recognize its impact on both personal well-being and professional dynamics
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Identify trauma responses in both themselves and their team members, and understand how these behaviors manifest in the workplace
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Develop trauma-informed leadership strategies that promote resilience, empathy, and a supportive team culture
Target Audience: Activities Professionals, Administrators, Nurses, Social Workers
Learn strategies to navigate financial distress as a non-profit CCRC.
This session will explore the journey of a single-site CCRC facing financial distress and highlight the strategic
initiatives implemented to improve financial health. Attendees will learn about the importance of stakeholder alignment and the cost of waiting, gaining insights into how to better position their organizations
for financial recovery.
Learning Objectives:
• Understand single-site financial trends
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Learn about the education and alignment of stakeholders
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Recognize the cost of waiting and its impact on financial recovery
Target Audience: C-Suite, Board Members
Learn how technology can enhance outcomes for older adults.
This session will explore how technology can improve engagement, motivation, and adherence to treatment plans for older
adults. Attendees will learn about various technology-based interventions and resources that can be incorporated into care plans to maximize independence and safety for older adults.
Learning Objectives:
• Differentiate various technology-based treatment interventions and resources suitable for older adults
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Get familiar with the diverse range of medical and service-oriented applications, assistive tools, and monitoring services available to older adults
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Demonstrate how technology can enhance outcomes for older adults, including improved engagement, motivation, and adherence to treatment plans
Target Audience: Administrators, Activities Professionals, General Audience, Social Workers
Learn how to analyze employment data and employee satisfaction survey results to improve employee engagement.
This session will review existing employment data points and employee satisfaction survey results, analyzing them based on additional employee profile details such as age, gender, and ethnic background. Attendees will learn about
current employee programs and explore the development of a career ladder program to enhance employee satisfaction and retention.
Learning Objectives:
• Measure employment success
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Measure employee engagement
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Brainstorm to create a new program and launch it
Target Audience: Administrators, C-Suite, HR Professionals
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21
Concurrent Sessions 6 | 9:00 - 9:45 am
Learn a model for making and defending difficult ethical decisions.
This session will focus on the structured application of ethical mandates through a decision-making model. Attendees will engage in interactive lectures, small group work, and individual practice techniques to analyze ethical trade-offs
and defend their decisions based on a reasoned model.
Learning Objectives:
• Analyze the "ethical trade-offs" being made in real-life decision-making
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Apply the 4-facet decision-making model in job-related situations through group work
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Defend their ethical decisions based on a model of reasoned decision-making
Target Audience: Activities Professionals, Administrators, Nurses, Social Workers
Gain a basic understanding of contractual relationships and available options for construction projects.
This session will offer insights into the contractual relationships and options
available for construction projects. Attendees will learn about the parties involved, different contract options, and strategies to mitigate construction risks, helping them become informed consumers of
construction-related services.
Learning Objectives:
• Identify the parties involved in a construction project and their responsibilities
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Understand different contract options for a construction project
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Identify construction risk areas and propose strategies for reducing risk
Target Audience: Administrators, C-Suite, Maintenance & Facilities staff
with Josh Kozinski, Director of Business Development; Layla Doctor, Sr Project Delivery Consultant; Tanessa Busch, Solutions Lead, enSYNC
Learn practical tools and strategies to enhance financial reporting accuracy, clarity, and compliance in aging services.
This session will explore essential financial concepts through the lens of iconic films, using them as thematic backdrops to discuss critical aspects of financial reporting. Attendees will gain practical insights and strategies inspired
by memorable characters and stories, enhancing their financial clarity, accuracy, and transparency.
Learning Objectives:
• Recap integrity in financial reporting
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Emphasize clarity in financial statements
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Connect data integrity with risk management and compliance
Target Audience: Administrators, Board Members, General Audience
Understand essential leadership principles tailored to a diverse senior living environment.
This session will focus on advancing communication and collaboration skills to foster cohesive,
high-performing teams. Attendees will learn to make adaptive, strategic decisions that enhance accountability, empower staff, and support a culture of continuous improvement. Additionally, the session will
provide tools for promoting mental well-being and resilience, mastering change management, and creating a supportive environment that prioritizes quality outcomes and operational excellence.
Learning Objectives:
• Understand the differences between various leadership roles and how to utilize these positions strategically
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Learn to delegate effectively for the advantage of the organization, associate development, and retention
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Improve resilience, mental well-being, and balance within management changes
Target Audience: Administrators, General Audience, HR Professionals
In his keynote address, "Ripples of Impact," Dr. Reyes will share his journey and insights on leadership, legacy, and the power of making a difference.
Join us for an inspiring closing general session with Dr. Albert L. Reyes, the sixth President and CEO of Buckner International, a distinguished 146-year-old organization.
As leaders in the aging services sector, you are
uniquely positioned to create ripples of impact that extend far beyond your immediate environment. Dr. Reyes will offer practical strategies and powerful anecdotes to empower you to drive meaningful change
within your organizations and communities.
Learning Objectives:
• Learn how to harness your leadership potential to leave a lasting legacy
•
Gain actionable insights to inspire and motivate your teams
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Discover innovative approaches to creating a positive impact in aging services
•
Participate in an engaging Q&A session with Dr. Reyes
Don't miss this opportunity to be inspired and equipped with the tools to make a significant and enduring impact.
Target Audience: All aging services professionals
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