Her Story
About LaDonna
LaDonna Stacey is the Director of Community Relations at Canterbury Inn Independent & Assisted Living, where she leads community outreach, resident and family engagement, admissions, and partnership development. With more than 15 years of experience in community relations, marketing, and nonprofit leadership, she is recognized for her ability to build meaningful relationships that create a welcoming and supportive environment for seniors and their families. Her leadership is grounded in empathy, authentic communication, and a commitment to ensuring every resident feels valued and connected within the community.
Prior to joining Canterbury Inn Independent & Assisted Living, LaDonna served as Director of Operations for a marketing startup, where she helped guide the company from its launch through acquisition while overseeing business operations, team development, and organizational growth. She also served as a Kelso City Council Member, advocating for initiatives that strengthened community accessibility, economic development, and public infrastructure. Complementing her professional experience, LaDonna earned a degree in Corporate Finance from Arizona State University and is currently pursuing a degree in Organizational Psychology at Capella University, further expanding her expertise in leadership, team development, and human behavior.
Outside of her professional career, LaDonna is an active community leader dedicated to fostering cultural exchange and civic engagement. She serves as President of the Kelso Sister City Exchange Program, where she leads initiatives that promote international partnerships and student exchanges between Kelso, Washington, and Makinohara, Japan. She is also an active member of the Kelso Rotary and supports educational and community development efforts throughout the region. Through her work in senior living and community leadership, LaDonna continues to make a meaningful impact by bringing people together, cultivating trust, and helping individuals and communities thrive.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with LaDonna
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Trust themselves. I think it's important to really look at ourselves and trust our abilities. You know, community relations is so much more about building relationships, and I can't do that I can only know a person as well as I know myself, right? So, trusting myself, and trusting Where I'm at in my life is really important.
02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
With the downturn in the economy, a lot of seniors are staying at home with multi-generational families, which can be to the detriment of their families and physically risky for seniors due to falls and loneliness. Lack of knowledge about senior living services and planning for longer lifespans also poses challenges. Opportunities include growth as citizens age, with needs for memory care and 24-hour nursing services.
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