Certificate of Advanced Senior Living Leadership Program (CASLL) - Leadership (Part 1)

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Attendees are required to attend all sessions to receive the CASLL certificate.

Ben Brewer is a VP at McGriff and serves as part of the Senior Living practice where he is focused on reducing his clients’ total cost of risk. He works to help clients contain costs that drive insurance premiums by overseeing clients’ initiatives concentrated on claims management, the integration of loss-prevention efforts and introducing creative risk financing solutions. An insurance industry veteran for 17 years, Ben has a long history of experience helping clients solve problems around Insurance & Risk Management.

Brittany H. Cone, CHC, is a Partner in the firm’s Atlanta office. She focuses her practice on a wide range of regulatory, administrative, and litigation matters in health care. Certified in Health Care Compliance by the Health Care Compliance Association, Brittany works with providers on the full spectrum of issues they face including Medicare, Medicaid, regulatory compliance, administrative hearings, and appeals. Brittany received a Juris Doctor from Georgia State University, where she was a member of the Law Review and served as associate symposium editor and associate editor for student notes. She also served as an extern for the Honorable A. Harris Adams of the Georgia Court of Appeals. Brittany completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Spanish at Berry College, and she studied at the Center for Cross Cultural Studies in Seville, Spain.

Justin Harden is the Vice President of Sales for Phoenix Senior Living. He has over 15 years of experience in healthcare operations and sales, focusing on sales development and supporting high-performing sales teams. Prior to joining Phoenix Senior Living, Justin served as Vice President of Sales for Bridge Senior Living where he was instrumental in growing occupancy while supporting transition of properties through acquisitions and dispositions. He has supported multiple product lines including assisted living, independent living, memory care, and active adult communities throughout his career.

Veronica Jackson is a Registered Nurse with over 35 years in the healthcare industry. Veronica received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Winston-Salem State University (WSSU), Winston-Salem, NC and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of New Haven (CT). She holds certifications as an Assisted Living Administrator and Virtual Dementia Trainer. Her diverse nursing and management career has brought a wealth of experience in such areas as acute care, managed care, pharmaceutical, legal nursing, homecare, assisted living and as a compliance surveyor with the Department of Community Health. In the last 10 years in the assisted living industry, Veronica has achieved career success as a Nurse Director in assisted living in leading successful wellness programs to promote the health and wellbeing of assisted living and memory care residents. As an administrator, she has led with unique credentials in both clinical and management to achieve facility-wide success in growing census, improving revenue, maintaining deficiency-free compliance outcomes, as well as leading a laser focus on staff retention and resident and family satisfaction. Veronica enjoys her work in community service and the fulfillment it brings in improving the lives of others. She serves as the Advisory Board Chair for the School of Health Sciences at Winston-Salem State University. She is an active member of the Gwinnett County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc, Gwinnett County Medical Reserve Corp and contributing educator for the Georgia Senior Living Association. Veronica is married to Daryl Jackson. Together they share three children and five grandchildren. In addition to family time, Veronica enjoys traveling, outdoor music events, gardening and voice over recording. One of her favorite quotes is “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou

Gaylene Mukopfa-Paul holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing and is a prominent registered nurse with a strong commitment to quality care in senior living. She currently serves as the Regional VP of resident care for the Arbor Company. Gaylene matriculated within the senior living industry starting as a receptionist while she was pursuing a computer information systems degree and then moved on to become a caregiver. She then completed her Licensed Practical Nursing degree and worked as an LPN and then moved on to become the memory care director, resident care director, regional specialist, regional director of resident care and then to her current position. Gaylene’s experience has made her an advocate for inspiring and growing others within the industry. She is a hands-on servant leader who handles challenges with grace and poise and believes that diverse teams build confidence and deliver quality care. Her focus on root cause analysis and quality assurance has helped residents, families, and staff proactively address care challenges. Gaylene serves as an instructor for certified medication aide (CMA) for the Arbor Company and is a member of the Argentum Senior Executive Memory Care Round Table.

Pam Polley serves as the Executive Vice President of Operations and Finance for Mainstay Financial Services & Mainstay Senior Living, where she aligns operational outcomes with investor strategy and financial performance. With more than 25 years of experience in senior living, real estate finance, and accounting, Pam has held senior leadership roles including Vice President of Operations at Beacon Communities Inc., Chief Financial Officer/Chief Executive Officer at Goodman Properties Inc., and Controller at Collins Goodman Development Company. She has led strategic operations, secured complex financing, and developed financial models supporting both commercial and senior living portfolios. Driven by a passion for serving older adults, Pam is committed to helping seniors live their best lives in supportive environments.

Kathy Rainwater-Roe is the Corporate Director of Community Partnerships with Phoenix Senior Living. She has more than 14 years of experience in senior living, focusing on sales, marketing, and operations. Kathy has managed multiple communities across the Southeast and now focuses on building relationships with local governments, chambers, and nonprofits in the Atlanta market. She is passionate about creating a culture of loyalty, integrity, and originality.

Lauren Sims is the Vice President of Operations at The Fellowship Family, where she leads development, marketing, and operations of senior living communities focused on high-quality care. With over 13 years of experience, Lauren has a strong track record in growth, resident satisfaction, and strategic initiatives. Her background includes leadership in senior living and luxury housing, with expertise in digital marketing and operations. She is OSHA 30-Hour certified and passionate about enhancing the lives of older adults.