Speaker Bios
Alphabetical by Last Name
John Ardovini
John Ardovini is Vice President of Business Development at Hampden Park Capital & Consulting. He brings extensive experience in affordable housing finance and federal housing policy, including prior leadership work with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. His expertise includes affordable housing preservation, recapitalization and development strategies that support older adults and mission-driven providers.
Amber Bardon
Amber Bardon is Chief Executive Officer of Parasol Alliance, a technology solutions company serving the senior living field that she founded in 2015. She has more than a decade of experience in healthcare information technology, with specialized expertise in senior living and long-term care. Ms. Bardon leads strategic technology planning and implementation efforts designed to improve operational efficiency, resident experience and organizational performance. She holds a master’s degree in Project Management and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
Angela Bovill, MBA, FACHE
Angela Bovill is President and Chief Executive Officer of Ascentria Care Alliance, one of New England’s largest nonprofit human services organizations. She joined the organization in 2008 as Chief Financial Officer, became Chief Operating Officer in 2011, and was named President and CEO in 2013. Ms. Bovill is recognized for her leadership in innovation, human-centered care models and organizational transformation across aging services and community-based care. Her work focuses on building collaborative, mission-driven approaches that improve access, affordability and long-term sustainability. She holds a degree in Economics from the University of Southern Maine and an MBA from Boston University and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE).
Rebecca Donato
Rebecca Donato is Director of Business & Program Development for the R3 program at Hebrew SeniorLife. She brings extensive experience in healthcare integration, nonprofit operations and strategic planning. Prior to joining Hebrew SeniorLife, she served in executive leadership roles including Chief Operating Officer at Community Servings and North Hill. Her work focuses on integrating healthcare and housing services to improve outcomes for older adults.
Susan Downey
Susan Downey is Vice President of Healthcare & Compliance at North Hill, where she oversees campus healthcare services, organizational learning, memory care and compliance. She began her career as a Registered Nurse at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and has held executive leadership positions in quality management, corporate compliance, risk management and regulatory compliance. Ms. Downey previously served as Chief Clinical Officer and Chief Executive Officer of Kindred Hospital in Boston and has extensive experience in long-term care administration and staff education.
Michael Gillette, Ph.D.
Dr. Michael Gillette is an ethics consultant and educator who has presented nationally and internationally for more than 25 years. He provides ethics consultation, policy development and educational programming to healthcare organizations, long-term care providers, government agencies and professional associations. Dr. Gillette’s highly interactive workshops focus on real-life ethical challenges in healthcare and aging services.
Anya Gorodetskaya, M.D., RN
Anya Gorodetskaya is Implementation and Nursing Services Manager for Hebrew SeniorLife’s R3: Right Care, Right Place, Right Time program. She leads nursing integration and operational implementation across partner sites, supporting clinical workflows, staff training and person-centered care delivery. Ms. Gorodetskaya brings more than 25 years of healthcare and nursing experience and previously served as a visiting nurse and Nurse Care Manager during the pilot phase of the R3 program.
Lisa Ippolito, Ph.D.
Dr. Lisa Ippolito is an Assistant Professor of Healthcare Studies at SUNY Brockport and brings more than 25 years of healthcare experience, with a focus on long-term care leadership and workforce development. She has held leadership roles in senior care organizations and healthcare technology and has been active in national workforce initiatives within aging services. Dr. Ippolito is a frequent speaker on recruitment, retention and leadership in healthcare.
Angela Labonté
Angela Labonté is R3 Community of Practice Manager at Hebrew SeniorLife, where she develops peer learning, engagement and wellbeing initiatives for employees participating in the R3: Right Care, Right Place, Right Time program. She coordinates educational programming, team gatherings and wellness initiatives that support collaborative learning across partner communities. Ms. Labonté has more than 20 years of experience in health and wellness and previously held roles in fitness, health coaching and outreach at Orchard Cove.
Mimi Lewis
Mimi Lewis is Program Director for the R3: Right Care, Right Place, Right Time initiative at Hebrew SeniorLife. She leads implementation of integrated wellness and care coordination models within affordable senior housing communities. Her work focuses on connecting housing, healthcare and supportive services to improve resident outcomes and support aging in community settings.
Emily McGrath
Emily McGrath is Director of Professional Practice and Education at Hebrew SeniorLife. She leads workforce development and clinical education initiatives, including CNA training, nurse residency and staff development programs. Since joining Hebrew SeniorLife in 2021, she has helped strengthen clinical education and workforce pipeline efforts across the organization.
Naomi Prendergast, MPH, LNHA
Naomi Prendergast is a licensed nursing home administrator and healthcare leader with expertise in governance, leadership development and operational strategy in aging services. Her work focuses on strengthening organizational effectiveness and supporting high-performing leadership and board cultures.
Jessica Ruhle
Jessica Ruhle is a senior living strategist with expertise in demographic trends, consumer expectations and the evolving future of senior living communities. Her work focuses on helping organizations better understand emerging resident populations and prepare for changing market dynamics.
Philippe Saad, AIA, LEED AP
Philippe Saad is a Principal at DiMella Shaffer, where he leads senior living and affordable housing projects focused on community-based design and aging services. Since joining the firm in 2005, he has specialized in the planning and development of senior living and multi-family residential communities for diverse income levels. Mr. Saad is widely recognized for his work advancing inclusive and equitable housing models, including LGBTQ-friendly senior housing initiatives. He is a co-founder of LGBTQ Senior Housing Inc. and Project Q Communities, organizations dedicated to expanding affirming housing opportunities for LGBTQ older adults.
Michael Tubbs
Michael Tubbs is Senior Director of Lifestyle Engagement at Benchmark Senior Living. He specializes in resident engagement programming and innovative dementia care approaches that promote dignity, independence and meaningful connection. His work includes implementation of Montessori-based engagement strategies and staff training initiatives designed to improve quality of life for residents living with dementia.
Gretchen Van Ness, J.D.
Gretchen Van Ness is Executive Director of LGBTQ Senior Housing Inc. and a civil rights attorney with more than 30 years of experience in advocacy, nonprofit leadership and public service. Her work focuses on expanding access to safe, affordable and affirming housing for LGBTQ older adults. Ms. Van Ness has played a leading role in development of The Pryde, New England’s first LGBTQ-friendly affordable senior housing community. In addition to her housing advocacy work, she is a past president of the Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts and has been recognized as one of Boston’s leading LGBTQ community advocates. She has written and lectured extensively on civil rights, equity and LGBTQ issues.