On March 7, 2023, over 200 aging services professionals, business partners and supporters traveled to Chicago to be honored for their work in the sector during the inaugural McKnight’s Pinnacle Awards ceremony.

LeadingAge was represented well with 11 out of 31 honorees, including LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston’s Co-Director and SVP of Research Dr. Robyn Stone receiving an Industry Ally Award and Board Member Laurence Gumina, CEO of Ohio Living a Thought Leader Award.

“You’ve blazed the way, you’ve raised the bar, you have made us all so very proud to work with you as you bring a bright, warm light to this profession,” said emcee and McKnight’s Long-Term Care News Executive Editor Jim Berklan in one of several toasts.

According to McKnight’s, the new awards program was launched to honor those who have had a remarkable influence over industry standards, played key roles as change-makers and inspired others with their leadership approach.

Here’s a list of all LeadingAge honorees and their respective awards:

AGENT OF CHANGE AWARD 

Mary Leary, CEO and president of Mather

Carol Odnoha, Director of the Nurse-Family Partnership for VNS Health

Benjamin Unkle, Jr., CEO and president of Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay

INDUSTRY ALLY AWARD 

Robyn Stone, DrPH, MPA, Co-Director of LeadingAge LTSS Center at UMass Boston & SVP for Research for LeadingAge

INSPIRATION AWARD 

Daniel Reingold, CEO and president of RiverSpring Living

Dana Ullom-Vucelich, Chief Human Resources Officer at Ohio Living

SETTING THE STANDARD AWARD 

Jennifer Brullo, Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services for VNS Health

Rita Mabli, CEO and president of United Hebrew of New Rochelle

UNSUNG HERO AWARD

Yvonne Eaddy, Vice President of Regional Patient Care Services for VNS Health

THOUGHT LEADER AWARD 

Laurence Gumina, CEO of Ohio Living

BUSINESS PARTNER AWARD 

Scott Thurman, Head of Production, Healthcare, FHA at Greystone & Co.

Professionals with at least 20 years of experience in the field, but who continue to strive for success, are eligible. Nominations for the 2024 class will open this fall. Keep up-to-date on the program and learn more about the process on the McKnight’s Pinnacle Awards page.