March 12, 2025 Washington, DC — LeadingAge, the association of nonprofit providers of aging services, congratulates Kim Gaskell, vice president of operations for member organization RiverWoods, Exeter, NH, as the recipient of its Leadership Award. Ms. Gaskell will be honored on April 8, 2025 during the general session of the association’s annual Leadership Summit in Washington, DC, next month.
The LeadingAge Leadership Award, now in its second year, recognizes a leader at any level within a member organization and is presented to an individual whose unique leadership attributes have made a significant difference in their organization or local community. An empathetic and innovative leader, Ms. Gaskell prioritizes transparency and community building, on campus and off—for instance by fostering partnership with the University of New Hampshire, to improve senior care through internships for students and technology. Her focus on collaboration and positive change has enhanced the RiverWoods experience for both residents and staff. Read more about her work and contributions.
“From successfully navigating RiverWoods through the pandemic into a period of post-COVID expansion, Kim’s actions and management approach in recent years exemplify the qualities of a true leader,” says LeadingAge president and CEO Katie Smith Sloan. “Her ability to manage through challenges with resilience while fostering collaboration and prioritizing improvement is a clear reflection of her abilities. Her passion for the work—both enhancing the lives of older adults and caring for her team—is inspiring, and to learn from one of her colleagues that Kim makes even the hardest days better is testament to her deserving of this honor.”
RiverWoods Director of Marketing Heather Phillips says: “Kim’s leadership is inspiring and deeply impactful. She has an extraordinary ability to balance decisiveness with empathy, always considering the well-being of our residents while empowering her team to grow and thrive. … she is always looking for new ways to improve our processes and services by encouraging us to challenge ourselves, step outside our comfort zones, and solve problems creatively. Her leadership has directly contributed to improvements in team morale and resident satisfaction, and her impact will continue to shape our organization for the better for years to come. Last, but certainly not least … she is fun, enthusiastic, thoughtful, warm, curious, and innately kind.”
Adds Curt Ley, chairman, RiverWoods Durham Resident Council: “A considerable number of personality traits contribute to successful leadership. Perhaps least recognized, but most important among them, is the ability to listen. Kim listens, not only to her supervision and resident constituency, but, perhaps more importantly, to her staff.” Of Kim’s leadership approach, Deborah Karmozyn, RiverWoods Durham resident board of trustees member, observes, “In my over 20 years of school administration, both in US schools and in prestigious international schools around the world, Kim is probably the most outstanding example of an incredibly talented young leader and professional that I have ever had the privilege to know and work with. She has made a big difference in the lives of others. Kim Gaskell embodies RiverWoods’ purpose and values: ‘Be yourself; respect; not for self; sustainability; curiosity; and community.’ ”
