Since the program began in 2006, Action Learning Projects have been a core piece of the Larry Minnix Leadership Academy. The action learning process offers the Fellows an opportunity to apply new ideas and explore several concepts that enable them to practice and experiment with the tools and theories they explore throughout their year together. Through Action Learning, Fellows champion innovation and person-centered practices, and, in doing so, they learn about themselves as leaders. They uncover their unique leadership gifts, expand their comfort zones, and broaden their perspectives, all while making progress toward addressing an issue within the aging services field that they feel passionate about.

The Leadership Academy program year serves as a “launch year” for fellows to identify and hone the direction of a project that will advance an innovation or improvement within their organizations. These projects are designed to unfold over the next several years or more. Countless Fellows have achieved the intended long-term outcome of Action Learning by making meaningful contributions to the field of aging.

This year’s Action Learning Projects address a range of topics that include creating more inclusive programming for diverse populations, improving quality of care, increasing access to affordable housing, staff retention, dementia practices, middle market opportunities, and much more. The 2023 Action Learning Projects highlight the many ways this group of Academy alums will be shaping the direction of our field for years to come. Learn more about the projects:

• Yadira Aldana | Channing House | Palo Alto, CA
  Enriching The Lives Of Hispanic Older Adults In The Bay Area
• Alberto Aldrete | St. Paul’s Pace | San Diego, CA
  Respectfully Growing A PACE Program
• Don Backstrom | Christian Living Communities | Denver, CO
  Aging And Dying Alone In Community
• Erica Badillo-Pagan | Elizabeth Seton Children’s Center | Yonkers, NY
  A Place Called Home
• Jennifer Barker | Covenant Village | Gastonia, NC
  Future Staff Recruitment = Early Education + Exposure
• Lauri Ann Brooks | Wesley Woods Senior Living | Atlanta, GA
  Affordable Housing: Living Well
• Elizabeth Byrd | The Sharon At South Park (Formally Sharon Towers) | Charlotte, NC
  Changing The Face Of Aging Through Intergenerational Living
• Cori Cansler | Galloway Ridge | Pittsboro, NC
  Continuity Of The Resident Experience
• Corey Crismon | Pioneer Nursing Home Health District | Vale, OR
  Rural Communities: The Forgotten Aging Population
• Natalee D’Antoni | Riverwoods Durham | Durham, NH
  Expanding Awareness Of Senior Living Careers
• Rebecca Daniels | Kendal At Hanover | Hanover, NH
  Symbiotic Culture
• Adam Day | Foxdale Village | State College, PA
  Using Technology To Manage Cognitive Changes In Older Adults
• Jack Dempsey | Pennswood Village | Newtown, PA
  Creating Effective DONs For Clinical Success
• Natallia Dziatsel | Plymouth Harbor, Inc. | Sarasota, FL
  Foreign-Born/Immigrant Initiative: A Labor Crisis Solution
• Kate Eagler | Arbor Acres | Winston Salem, NC
  Purpose Driven Aging. Passion = Engagement
• Caroline Edasis | Mather | Evanston, IL
  Prioritizing Community Action For Societal Wellness
• Jodi Eyigor | LeadingAge | Washington, DC
  Indisputable Measurement Of The Nursing Home Experience
• Christopher Gianfriddo | Fallon Summit Eldercare Pace | Worcester, MA
  High Risk Participants Need Strong Partnerships
• Stephanie Goetz | Sheboygan Senior Community | Sheboygan, WI
  Planning For End Of Life Before It Happens
• Christian Grunder | Givens Communities | Asheville, NC
  Evolution Of DEIB In Aging Services
• Kate Harkness | Lenawee Medical Care Facility | Adrian, MI
  Purpose And Connection: School/SNF Collaborative
• Mary Helton | A.G. Rhodes | Atlanta, GA
  Post-Pandemic Workforce: Promoting Healing & Recovery
• Brooke Hodge | Aldersgate | Charlotte, NC
  Engaging Residents As Partners
• Karen Holden | Carolina Meadows | Chapel Hill, NC
  Governance With Equality
• Erin Hoversten-Majewski | Friendship Haven | Fort Dodge, IA
  Autonomy Vs. Safety… Who Wins?
• Ryan Hust | Covenant Living Of Turlock | Turlock, CA
  Self-Determination Or Safety?
• Stephanie Igoe | Bethany Home Of Rhode Island | Providence, RI
  Affordable Independent Housing Through Collaboration
• Casey Jones | Presbyterian Senior Living | Dillsburg, PA
  Defining And Serving The “Middle”
• Kayla Kelly | The Osborn | Rye, NY
  A Passport To Senior Living
• Anna-Liisa LaCroix | Central Baptist Village | Norridge, IL
  Challenging Ageism Through Community Connections
• Kelsie Lane | Arizona LeadingAge | Phoenix, AZ
  Memory Care: Knowledge For Providers And Family Members
• Tammy Lindsay | Nascentia Health | Syracuse, NY
  Bridging Gaps In Remote Patient Services
• Aryeh Markowitz | Jewish Home Family | Rockleigh, NJ
  Advancing Purpose & Relevance
• John McDonough | Asbury Communities | Frederick, MD
  Preserving Resident Value Through Vocation
• Dan Miller | United Church Homes, Parkvue Community | Sandusky, OH
  Can We Balance Independence And Safety?
• Susan Nail | Shenandoah Valley Westminster — Canterbury | Winchester, VA
  Direct Care Staff Training Initiative
• Alexandra Piriz Mookerjee | Westminster Communities Of Florida | Orlando, FL
  Dignified Housing For All
• Sharon Pitt | The Forest At Duke | Durham, NC
  Mental Health In The Workplace
• Bonnie Polak | Trinity Woods | Tulsa, OK
  Gerontology Rotation Requirement For Aspiring Physicians
• Elizabeth Pomerleau | Goodwin Living | Alexandria, VA
  Last Trip: Psychedelics At Life’s End
• Marianne Ratcliffe | Carol Woods Retirement Community | Chapel Hill, NC
  A Part Of, Not Apart From…
• Taylor Reed | Southampton Estates | Southampton, PA
  Power To Choose How To Live — At Any Age
• Shonia Russelle | Otterbein Seniorlife | Lebanon, OH
  Leaders Of Color: C-Suite Career Development
• Laura Santangelo | Waverly Heights | Gladwyne, PA
  Honoring Legacies: Support Through Life’s Transitions
• Kristin Shanks | Ingleside | Rockville, MD
  Meaningful Ageing Through AI
• Sarah Starcher-Lane | Byron Health Center | Fort Wayne, IN
  What’s Next: The Intergenerational Housing Model
• James Stovall | Hermitage Roanoke | Roanoke, VA
  Who We Are, Who We Serve
• Kim Stratman | St. Paul’s Senior Services | San Diego, CA
  Mentors In Aging Excellence
• James Tavormina | Springpoint Senior Living | Wall Township, NJ
  Creating Predictive Analytic Paths For Wellness And Expense Control
• Courtney West | St. Andrew’s Resources For Seniors System | St. Louis, MO
  “No Place Like Home” — Home And Its Meaning To Seniors
• Sarah Whitmarsh | Heron’s Key | Gig Harbor, WA
  Strengthening Workforce Development With Gerontological Theory
• Natalie Wynegar | Brandon Oaks Retirement Community | Roanoke, VA
  Creating A Culture Of Service Excellence