Her Story
About Wanda
Wanda Sinkler is a seasoned healthcare executive with over two decades of experience spanning direct patient care, senior living operations, sales, and business administration. Her journey into the field began with a deep-rooted passion for helping others, leading her to build a career from the ground up — starting as a CNA and med tech, advancing through roles in housekeeping, sales, and business operations within assisted living communities, and ultimately stepping into executive leadership. Today, she serves as Executive Director at HarborChase of Olney while also owning a pharmacy uniquely designed to serve the senior population, extending her mission of education, advocacy, and quality care to a broader community. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Health Care Administration from Southern New Hampshire University, a Master's degree in Human Resource Management from Colorado State University Global, and carries credentials as a Certified Dementia Practitioner.
Wanda's professional philosophy is rooted in accountability, passion, and genuine human connection. Known for building high-performing teams and cultivating thriving community cultures, she leads with both strategic precision and deep compassion — managing not just operations and finances, but the lives and emotions of the residents and families entrusted to her care. She is a firm believer in developing future leaders and lifting colleagues at every level, understanding that collective growth is the foundation of lasting success. Her solution-oriented mindset and commitment to exceeding expectations have earned her a reputation as a trusted, purpose-driven leader throughout the Washington DC-Baltimore healthcare community.
What makes Wanda's story particularly compelling is the resilience behind her rise. Shaped by a challenging upbringing that she deliberately transformed into motivation, she navigated the demands of single motherhood, multiple jobs, and full-time academics — graduating summa cum laude and never losing sight of her goals. She is passionate about giving back, with plans to establish a non-profit that will bring education and medications to communities in Africa. For Wanda, success has never been solely personal — it is measured by the doors she opens for others, the standards she sets, and the lives she improves along the way.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Wanda
01What do you attribute your success to?
Growing up without a nurturing childhood could have held me back, but I chose to transform that negativity into fuel. I believed in myself when others didn't, pushed through the pressures of being a single mother while working two jobs and attending school full-time, and graduated summa cum laude. I kept my eyes on what I wanted, refused to give up, eliminated negativity from my life, and continue to grow and elevate every day.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Stay true to who you are and never shrink yourself simply because you haven't yet reached where you believe you should be. Keep striving, keep achieving, and no matter what rung of the ladder you stand on, make it a priority to help someone beside you or above you climb higher. Lifting others is one of the most powerful ways to reach your own goals, because at some point, we all need help and support.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be hungry — be willing to learn, listen, and ask questions without hesitation. Seek out positive influences who have walked a similar path, especially those who had to claw their way to the top. Latch onto those mentors and absorb everything you can from them. Always push yourself to be better, and use that drive to set a path not just for yourself, but for those who will come after you.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the most pressing challenges in healthcare and senior care today is compensation. The work that caregivers, med techs, and nurses do is incredibly demanding and deeply important, yet the industry often struggles to offer pay that truly reflects their value. This makes it difficult to attract and retain individuals who bring genuine passion to the work — and passion is everything in this field.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Accountability is at the top of my list — I hold myself and those around me to high standards, without exception. Equally important is passion, because without it, the demands of this work and the challenge of building alongside it will wear you down. I also believe deeply in connection — this is a people industry, and the capacity to truly listen and engage with others is essential. Finally, I strive to always be solution-oriented, because people don't need to hear "no" or "I don't know" — they need answers, support, and a way forward.
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