In mid-September, the 2026 Fellows completed a nearly year-long professional development program with an in-person meeting in Delaware. The meeting coincided with the bi-annual Leadership Forum, which brought together CEOs and Board members and offered an opportunity for recognition and celebration. The all-female class had fourteen participants. The group represented multiple Affiliates, a variety of departments and a wide range of professional expertise. We’re happy to celebrate these 2026 participants:
- Taylor Beeman, Kendal at Ithaca
- Kelsey Deacon, Kendal at Lexington
- Sarah Dudley, Kendal at Lexington
- Lisa Falkenberg, Kendal at Home
- Erica Hawkins, Kendal at Oberlin
- Jenny Horne, Enso Village
- Micky Lambert, Kendal at Hanover
- Morgan Lamphere, The Kendal Corporation
- Diane Massey, The Kendal Corporation
- Samantha Monks, Lathrop
- Ali Sacco-Currie, Kendal at Home
- Melissa Simpson, Kendal at Hanover
- Olivia Vieta, Kendal at Home
- Lorie Wasilawski, Kendal at Ithaca
Connections made by participants will strengthen collaboration and growth across the Kendal System. The comments below highlight some key takeaways from the program.
Sarah Dudley – Kendal at Lexington
Sarah leads the Sales and Marketing team at Kendal at Lexington. She joined the organization in 2024. What Sarah enjoyed most about the 2026 Leadership Fellows program was getting to know people from other Kendal communities and different parts of the country. “Learning from their perspectives and leadership styles has broadened my thinking and will help me grow and strengthen my leadership as I support my team.”
Erica Hawkins – Kendal at Oberlin
Erica is part of the Hospitality Services team at Kendal at Oberlin. She shared that the Kendal Fellows program was very meaningful and eye-opening in many ways. She noted, “This program has created a greater sense of self-awareness and reflection of the type of leader that I am, and the type that I want to strive to be. It has also helped me realize that I don’t have to be ‘perfect’ to be a strong leader, as we are all learning as we go.”
Jennifer Horne – Ensō Village
Jennifer is part of the finance team at Ensō Village. She shared the following comments after completing the 2026 Leadership Fellows program: “The most impactful outcome from my recent experience is a confidence that grows from getting to know yourself as a leader. Through the tools we discuss in this program, I have become more observant and open to noticing what makes each individual stand out. Honoring these traits and differences helps me to realize how each person, including myself, has great value to add to our daily experience. Discussing this in conference with peers is very affirming!” She believes her work at Ensō Village will continue to grow as she puts what she learned into practice.
Lynne Giacobbe – Kendal Leadership Fellows Leadership Consultant
Lynne served as CEO of Kendal at Home since the program’s beginning, retiring in early 2026. Kendal is fortunate that she will continue to support the Kendal Leadership Fellows program, collaborating with Judy Sorum Brown. Lynne shares a broader perspective on the value and purpose of the Fellows program: “We develop leaders not only to lead within their own communities well, but to strengthen the community we share. Through reflection, relationships, and a commitment to Kendal’s values, leadership development creates a network of people who learn from one another, support one another, and carry Kendal’s values forward. The greatest benefit may be what happens between our communities, when relationships become collaboration, when shared learning becomes innovation, and when individual leadership becomes collective strength.”
Judy Sorum Brown – Kendal Leadership Fellows Leadership Consultant
Judy Brown has been the lead designer of the Kendal Leadership Fellows program since it began in 2012. She noted that this year’s group of Fellows was remarkably open and forthcoming. Because they came from a broad range of Affiliates, their ideas and shared perspectives are likely to bear fruit across the Kendal System. Judy said, “What a pleasure to be part of the leadership journey with this group of gifted and dedicated Kendal Fellows. Their commitment to strengthening their own leadership capacities and building strong connections across the system will stand as a lasting contribution to the organization and the field. It’s an honor to be with them in the process.”
Seeking Participants for the 2027 Leadership Fellows Class
As an organization, Kendal is committed to growing the talents of team members across the Kendal System. The Leadership Fellows program encourages effective leaders to guide Kendal team members into a successful future. It is also a clear commitment to Kendal Values. Making the Kendal System a better place to work makes it a better place to live, and a stronger provider of aging services overall.
The 2027 Leadership Fellows program will begin early next year. The program includes eight meetings. Participants will need to commit to seven virtual sessions (four hours each) and a final in-person meeting at the end of the program. Affiliates fund participation on behalf of the participants, with prior approval from the CEO.
Improving professional skills is an investment in team members and strengthens the organization, both locally and system-wide. Look for more information soon about enrolling in the 2027 Leadership Fellows program.