Her Story
About Kelly
I've spent about 15 years in the senior living industry, though my journey here wasn't exactly planned. I originally earned a master's degree in exercise science with the goal of becoming a fitness and wellness director for a university. After graduating, I moved to Texas and worked as the fitness and wellness director at TCU. When my then-fiance (now husband) and I got engaged, we faced the challenge of the economic downturn, and it made more sense for me to move back to Michigan than for him to relocate to Texas. That's when I stumbled upon senior living - I saw a posting for a wellness coordinator position at Brio Living Services, interviewed with Debbie Steggles, and we really hit it off. I wasn't 100% sure it was the right path for me in that first year, but I grew to love what I do. Over 13 years at Brio, I was promoted several times and eventually oversaw two separate campuses - one with all independent living where I spent about 13 years, and then a second campus with assisted living and memory care. Through that experience, I discovered my true passion was in the assisted living world. That realization led me to my current role as Wellness Director at Christian Care Assisted Living, where I've been for about a month. I focus on growing and nurturing strong leadership among our team members, recognizing those who want to advance and giving them the skills and direction they need to succeed.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kelly
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think, well, it's of course the team around me. I can only be as successful as my team. And then, I also think that it's my very strong work ethic - I really do strive to be the best in my day-to-day life and in my professional career. I think just my ability to have fun on a day-to-day basis allows people to be comfortable around me. I've been very blessed to have a lot of people in my life who kind of saw potential in me and gave me the tools that I needed to be successful.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Don't take anything too seriously, and don't take anything personal.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Probably the same - especially don't take anything personal. Nothing is about you, it's all about them.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
In my industry, working with the age group that I do, as a woman, there have certainly been some challenges with our male residents in having them, frankly, listen to a woman, and have a woman kind of be the one that is giving the directives, and the one who has to say no to certain things. That certainly has been a challenge.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity and honesty are probably my top two most important values.
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