CEOs and other leading executives take center stage in welcoming a new initiative to broaden the career paths for women in senior living communities.
(Alexandria, Va.) – Argentum, the leading advocacy group for professionally managed assisted living and other senior living care settings, said its Women in Leadership (WIL) working committee has received overwhelming participation for the Mentor and Match Initiative, a first-of-its-kind cross-industry match-up service for junior staff to link with senior executives as part of a career-enhancing program.
WIL, which has grown into a main attraction at industry conferences, attracted thousands to its webinar series, and offered innovations like Mentor and Match, is bidding to disrupt the status quo and ensure more opportunities for women seeking executive positions.
"The vast majority of employees in the senior living industry are women, and yet most leadership roles in the industry are still filled by men,” said Myra Norton, president and chief executive officer, Arena Analytics.
“The Women in Leadership Mentor and Match program is designed to create a better pathway to leadership positions for women in senior living, and I am thrilled to help realize this vision in any way I can.
It gives me particular joy to serve as a mentor to other women, as I have benefited time and again from strong mentors throughout my career. Working together I know we can create real change and significantly increase leadership opportunities for women across the industry."
Whether working in sales, the caregiving frontlines, or in other departments of a senior living provider, the initial response to the program has resulted in some 35 women getting matched up with senior executives, which is well above first expectations.
Collette Gray, chairwoman of WIL and president and CEO, Integral Senior Living and Solstice Senior Living, said the response is indicative of what WIL is aiming to achieve.
“We are working to provide women who are interested in advancing the opportunity for growth and success. WIL is constantly exploring innovative new ways to engage and support women in senior living. And this new mentoring program is the latest example of how we are seeking to give women a clearer path to the top of senior living’s corporate ladder.”
The goal of Mentor and Match is to connect women in leadership roles within the senior living industry to other female counterparts who are interested in professional growth and career advancement. This program is designed to provide support and meaningful guidance for women in the senior living space and ensure they are aware of the significant opportunities that exist to move into leadership roles and to create a lifelong career within senior living.
Each mentee meets with her mentor at least once a month. The process lasts for an initial six-month period when an evaluation occurs by the mentor and mentee before moving ahead.
Argentum’s Vice President of Government Affairs and Policy, Maggie Elehwany, said the initiative is critical to the senior living industry, which faces staffing shortages and is looking for career-minded staff interested in long-term care on a long-term basis.
“WIL’s Mentor and Match will foster meaningful relationships and lifelong connections, which will only make us stronger and better at what we do, and seniors in our care will greatly benefit, too,” she said.
“Argentum is proud to launch this landmark effort. My hope is several years from now when we have more women CEOs and top executives, we will look back to the Mentor Match Initiative launch and credit it’s success.”
About Argentum
Since 1990, Argentum has advocated for choice, independence, dignity, and quality of life for all older adults. Argentum’s programs and initiatives are driven by its membership. For more information, please visit www.argentum.org
Contact:
Patrick Connole
Manager, Media and Public Affairs
ARGENTUM | Expanding Senior Living
1650 King Street, 6th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-599-7412 | pconnole@argentum.org
