Thank You, Boston! A Remarkable 2025 LeadingAge Annual Meeting

More than 6,000 aging-services professionals from 20+ countries came together to learn, connect, and create a lasting impact at the 2025 LeadingAge Annual Meeting & EXPO and the Global Ageing Network Biennial Conference in Boston. Our community shared ideas, best practices, stories, and solutions that will continue to inspire innovation and strengthen aging services across the globe.

We also want to shine a spotlight on our wonderful regional gathering, the New England State Night Out at Harpoon Brewery.  Over 400 LeadingAge members and business partners join us for an evening of fun and networking that perfectly complemented the national conference.

A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors for making the Night Out extra special!

• Photo Booth Sponsor: Preferred Therapy Solutions

• Brewery Tour Sponsor: Baker Tilly

• Music Sponsor: Symbria

• Drink Sponsors: One Point Partners, First American, Windover, Geriatric Medical, C.E. Floyd

• Game Sponsors: Sallop Insurance, DAS Health

• Supporters: Amenta Emma, DiMella Shaffer, Borislow, Waypoint Converts, HealthPro Heritage, Lavallee Brensinger, PharmScript

2026 Governance Webinar Series: A High-Value Learning Opportunity for Boards & Executives

LeadingAge Virginia is hosting its annual Governance Webinar Series, and registration has been extended to LeadingAge Massachusetts members. This four-part virtual program is an outstanding opportunity to strengthen the skills and effectiveness of board members and executive leaders.

The series will explore essential governance topics—including recruiting and onboarding strong board members, deepening board engagement in philanthropy, preparing for affiliations and partnerships, and the legal implications of AI in aging services.

Sessions begin Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 2:00–3:00 p.m. EST.
Learn more and register: 2026 Governance Webinar Series.

Activities & Community Programs Peer Group

Join fellow Activities Professionals for this opportunity to connect with your colleagues! Hosted by Catherine Sabatini from Bethany Health Care Center and Brian Patton from Fox Hill Village.  The focus for this meeting will be the 2026 yearlong celebration of “AMERICA 250!”’ -the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  We will seek input and collaboration from you on ways that this historic milestone can be celebrated throughout the year with monthly and quarterly themes.

Click here to register to join the meeting: https://www.leadingagema.org/events/activities-peer-group-december

Final Housing Happenings Group of the Year

Each month, the Housing Happenings webinar series offers timely, practical insights tailored for professionals working in older-adult affordable housing settings. From service-coordinator best practices to regulatory updates and resident engagement strategies, this series is a streamlined way to stay connected and informed.
Register or learn more here: Housing Happenings

Celebrating Two Massachusetts Fellows Named to the 2026 Larry Minnix Leadership Academy

We are thrilled to share that two outstanding leaders from Massachusetts organizations have been selected for the 2026 Larry Minnix Leadership Academy, LeadingAge’s signature national leadership development program. This year’s cohort represents emerging talent from across the country and we are proud to see Massachusetts so well represented.

Congratulations to:

• Lajja Lantigua, North Hill

• Sarah A. Pompeo, Fox Hill Village

The Larry Minnix Leadership Academy brings together a diverse group of aging-services professionals for a yearlong experience focused on reflective leadership, innovation, and collaborative learning. Selection to the cohort is a meaningful recognition of each fellow’s commitment to mission-driven leadership and advancing the future of aging services.

Learn more about the program and the full 2026 cohort:
Larry Minnix Leadership Academy → https://www.leadingage.org/larry-minnix-leadership-academy/

Rethinking Memory Care: Inclusion Over Isolation at Loomis Lakeside

A recent NPR story highlights a growing national conversation about how senior living communities can better support people living with dementia — not through segregation, but through inclusion. The article features Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing, a proud LeadingAge Massachusetts member, which has embraced a model allowing residents with dementia to move freely throughout the community, participate fully in daily life, and maintain dignity, autonomy, and connection. This emerging approach challenges long-standing assumptions about “memory care” and invites important sector-wide dialogue about safety, person-centered care, and quality of life.

Read the full story here:
Dementia Housing Without Locked Wards? A Growing Movement

Staff Retention Done Right: Legacy Lifecare’s 30-Year Journey Without Agency Nursing

Legacy Lifecare, a longtime member of LeadingAge Massachusetts, is featured in a recent McKnight’s Long-Term Care News article highlighting an extraordinary achievement: operating for more than 30 years without relying on agency nursing. Their recipe for success includes flexible scheduling, strong frontline support, creative staff-friendly benefits, and a deep commitment to cultivating a stable, values-driven workforce.

Read the full story: Food stores, flexibility and family vacations: The story behind 30 years without agency nursing

Celebrating Our Members Named to the 2025 Top 100 Women-Led Businesses

We are delighted to share that two LeadingAge Massachusetts members have been recognized on The Women’s Edge 2025 Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts list:

• 2Life Communities, led by Amy Schectman and Lizbeth Heyer

• Ascentria Care Alliance, led by Angela Bovill

This statewide honor highlights the exceptional leadership and impact these organizations bring to the Commonwealth and to the aging-services sector. Explore the full list here: https://thewomensedge.org/top-100-2025/

Need to Fill Open Positions? Post on the LeadingAge MA Job Board

The LeadingAge MA Job Board is your go-to resource for reaching dedicated professionals in aging services. As a member, you receive discounted rates for posting open positions—making it easier and more affordable to find the right candidates who share your mission. Start posting today!

Share Your News with LeadingAge MA!

We love celebrating our members! Whether you have exciting announcements, innovative programs, leadership changes, or upcoming events, we want to hear from you. Your stories help highlight the incredible work happening across our network and inspire others in the field of aging services.

Send us your news, and we’ll feature it in our newsletter, website, or social media. Let’s showcase the impact of our community together!

📩 Submit your updates to Sarah at SLacasse@leadingagema.org