Voices in Leadership | LeadingAge Virginia

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May 2026

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About the show

This video series' goal is to tell the stories of our members – stories of triumph, challenge, growth, and relationships that have supported us along the way.

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42 recent

May 20, 2026Episode 728 min

Rethinking Senior Living for the Middle Market

In this episode of Voices in Leadership, host Melissa Andrews, president and CEO of LeadingAge Virginia, talks with Laura Lamb and Megan Bradford of Episcopal Retirement Services (ERS) about the organization’s evolution and its growing commitment to serving older adults across the full economic continuum. The conversation explores ERS’s 75-year history, its expansion from a single retirement community to a multi-state organization with life plan communities, affordable living campuses, and community-based programs including Meals on Wheels and memory support services.Laura and Megan also discuss ERS’s focus on serving the “middle market” — older adults who have too many resources to qualify for affordable housing but not enough to access traditional life plan communities. They explain how personal family experiences helped shape the initiative and outline ERS’s approach, including no entrance fees, service coordination instead of heavy staffing models, and pricing designed to remain attainable for middle-income older adults. The episode also highlights ERS’s servant leadership culture, emphasis on internal growth and promotions, the importance of strategic partnerships, and why providers should stop simply “musing” about middle market solutions and start testing new models in their own communities.Voices in Leadership is produced by Association Briefings.

April 15, 2026Episode 632 min

Voices in Leadership | Leadership, Mentorship, and the Future of Aging Services

In this episode of Voices in Leadership, the mic turns to host Melissa Andrews, President and CEO of LeadingAge Virginia, as she’s interviewed by her husband, Todd Andrews, COO of Asbury Communities. Melissa reflects on her path into aging services—from an unexpected start at the Hebrew Home at Riverdale to a 14-year tenure at LeadingAge National—and the mentors who helped shape her leadership along the way. She shares how LeadingAge Virginia has evolved to represent a broader continuum of care, with a growing focus on community-based services, workforce development, and the people behind the mission. The conversation also explores her passion for mentoring, building career pathways, and investing in future leaders. Looking ahead, Melissa outlines her vision for the next five years, including building momentum around a multi-sector plan on aging and advancing long-term services and supports reform in Virginia.Voices in Leadership is produced by Association Briefings.

March 18, 2026Episode 526 min

Voices in Leadership | Designing the Future of Senior Living

In this episode of Voices in Leadership, host Melissa Andrews, President and CEO of LeadingAge Virginia, sits down with Curtis Jennings of SFCS to explore innovation, leadership, and the future of senior living design. Curtis shares his journey into the field, shaped by family legacy and a lifelong passion for architecture, before diving into how creativity and mentorship drive both his leadership approach and the firm’s culture. The conversation highlights SFCS’s long-standing commitment to innovation, including its By Design Conference and its partnership with Virginia Tech, where students collaborate with senior living communities to design real-world solutions that enhance resident engagement and connection. Curtis and Melissa also discuss emerging trends such as repurposing existing buildings, planning for future generations of residents, and balancing the needs of current residents with long-term strategic vision. Throughout the episode, Curtis emphasizes the importance of flexibility, collaboration, and resident involvement in the design process, while offering a candid look at the challenges ahead—including meeting growing demand for senior living. Ultimately, the conversation underscores how thoughtful design, creative thinking, and strong partnerships can shape more responsive and sustainable communities for the future.Voices in Leadership is produced by Association Briefings.

February 18, 2026Episode 430 min

Voices in Leadership | How Emerging Leaders Are Shaping Aging Services

In this episode of Voices and Leadership, host Melissa Andrews, President and CEO of LeadingAge Virginia, brings together two generations of leaders shaping the future of aging services. Tracey Jennings, Chief Operations Officer at LifeSpire of Virginia and chair of the LeadingAge Virginia board, reflects on her unexpected journey into senior living leadership and the mentors who helped shape her path. Julia Cook, a LeadingAge Virginia intern and graduate student preparing to join the LifeSpire team, shares her intentional entry into the field and what inspires emerging professionals to pursue careers in aging services. Together, they explore mentorship, the evolving role of women in leadership, strategies for attracting younger talent, and how programs like Administrator in Training (AIT) are preparing the next generation of industry leaders.Voices in Leadership is produced by Association Briefings.

January 21, 2026Episode 333 min

Voices in Leadership | Immigration, Workforce, and Community Impact

In this episode of Voices and Leadership, host Melissa Andrews, President and CEO of LeadingAge Virginia, sits down with Lindsay Hutter, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer at Goodwin Living. Lindsay reflects on her journey from growing up in Illinois to becoming a senior leader in the aging services field, shaped by her family roots and pivotal life experiences. The conversation explores her career path, early ambitions, and the moments that led her to Goodwin Living, before widening to the critical role immigrant workers play in senior living. Lindsay highlights Goodwin Living’s innovative citizenship program and discusses broader themes of immigration reform, advocacy, and the power of community partnerships. Throughout the episode, she underscores how thoughtful storytelling—and elevating the lived experiences of residents and staff alike—can strengthen the field and influence public policy.Voices in Leadership is produced by Association Briefings.

December 17, 2025Episode 226 min

Voices in Leadership | Growing Leaders and Strengthening Communities in Senior Living

In this episode of Voices in Leadership, host Melissa Andrews, President and CEO of LeadingAge Virginia, sits down with Josh Lyons, President and CEO of Sunnyside Communities. Josh reflects on his path into senior living—a journey shaped in part by his father’s tenure as Sunnyside’s CEO—and shares how that early exposure fueled his commitment to the field. He discusses his passion for developing future leaders, the strong culture that defines Sunnyside, and the spirit of collaboration among local senior living organizations. Josh also offers a glimpse into his life outside of work, sharing stories about his family and hobbies. The conversation wraps with an optimistic look at the future of senior living and the vital role of community engagement in supporting older adults.Voices in Leadership is produced by Association Briefings.

November 19, 2025Episode 131 min

Voices in Leadership | Philanthropy, Leadership, and Purpose-Driven Work

In this episode of Voices in Leadership, host Melissa Andrews, President and CEO of LeadingAge Virginia, speaks with Tracey van Marcke, Founder of TvM Impact Consulting, and Betsy Archer, Executive Director of PositiveAge, the foundation of LeadingAge Virginia. Together, they reflect on their career paths, the evolution of PositiveAge, and the complexities of building nonprofit infrastructure while meeting grant obligations. Tracey and Betsy share lessons learned from mentorship, why work-life integration matters, and the philanthropic trends shaping today’s nonprofit landscape. They also offer a candid look at what drives their commitment to the health and human services sector and the impact they strive to make through meaningful, mission-driven work.Voices in Leadership is produced by Association Briefings.

October 15, 2025Episode 1229 min

Voices in Leadership | Hope, Connection, and HR with Purpose

In this episode of Voices in Leadership, host Melissa Andrews, President and CEO of LeadingAge Virginia, sits down with Winoka Clements, Senior Director of Human Resources at Vinson Hall Retirement Community and LeadingAge Virginia board member. Winoka shares her journey into HR and aging services, reflecting on how she’s built a people-first culture rooted in support, connection, and community. She discusses innovative HR strategies, and how those practices strengthen engagement and belonging. The conversation explores today’s workforce challenges, the value of mentorship and advocacy, and how Winoka’s personal experiences have shaped her authentic, compassionate leadership style. Listeners will also get a glimpse into her lighter side—from her love of Prince to her favorite reads—and the hope that keeps her inspired in the field of aging services.Voices in Leadership is produced by Association Briefings.

September 17, 2025Episode 1148 min

Building Healthy Cultures: Lessons from Larry Minnix

In this episode of Voices in Leadership, host Melissa Andrews, president and CEO of LeadingAge Virginia, welcomes Larry Minnix, retired president and CEO of LeadingAge National and a widely respected voice in aging services. Larry reflects on his decades of leadership, highlighting why culture is the cornerstone of any successful organization and why leaders must be proactive in addressing challenges. Through powerful stories—from navigating regulatory hurdles to shaping healthier workplace environments—he shares lessons that still resonate today. The conversation also revisits the creation of the LeadingAge Leadership Academy, now a lasting legacy that continues to cultivate the next generation of leaders across the field.Voices in Leadership is produced by Association Briefings.

August 20, 2025Episode 1026 min

Voices in Leadership | Staffing, Strategy, and the Future of Senior Living Leadership

In this episode of Voices in Leadership, host Melissa Andrews, President & CEO of LeadingAge Virginia, speaks with Ben Unkle, President & CEO of Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay. Ben shares his unlikely path from trial lawyer to nearly three decades in senior living leadership, including 15 years in his current role. He reflects on the leadership traits that matter most, the power of communication, and lessons learned from guiding the organization through the 2009 economic downturn. The conversation highlights Westminster-Canterbury’s culture of innovation—from creative solutions to industry challenges to their newest project, a 22-story oceanfront tower. Ben also weighs in on broader issues impacting the field, including the urgent need for improved immigration policies to help address workforce shortages.Voices in Leadership is produced by Association Briefings.