2025 Senior Living Symposium
Speaker Bios

Dan Hermann, Ziegler, President & CEO

Dan Hermann joined Ziegler in 1987. In 2018 he was named President and CEO. He also is the Head of Investment Banking, a member of the Ziegler Board and Executive Committee. As the Head of Investment Banking, Dan is directly responsible for managing Ziegler’s Investment Banking activities. He not only fosters the growth of existing practices, but also pursues potential new practices. With a focus on cross-practice collaboration, he plays on active role in maximizing synergistic opportunities across all investment practices, especially within the healthcare and senior living sectors.

As the head of both the healthcare and senior living practices, Dan was instrumental in the creation of and fundraising for the Ziegler Link•Age Longevity Fund, L.P. (the “Fund”). The Fund is one of the first to focus on the aging market and companies that provide innovative products, services and technologies to meet the growing needs of seniors and senior living providers in this changing era of healthcare reform.

During his 30-year tenure with Ziegler, Dan has become a leading investment banker in the senior living industry. He has structured and led or co-led more than 325 senior living financings exceeding $8.2 billion, cumulating far-ranging experience in the management, structuring and financial analysis of every type of senior living financing.

Dan has utilized his expertise to create financing structures for a large clientele – from stand-alone nursing homes to multi-facility, multi-state systems, including start-up campuses and campuses undergoing major renovation projects. His particular emphasis in recent years has been to provide resources for key decision-makers in an organization to effectuate sound financial and strategic planning initiatives. To that end, Dan has assisted numerous multi-facility systems in their corporate planning efforts. When appropriate, he assists these and other organizations in the structuring of their financings and has developed financing alternatives using the broadest range of financing structures available to maximize yields and flexibility for his clients: traditional fixed rate issues, credit enhanced variable rate structures, extendable rate unenhanced issues, derivative applications, and off-balance sheet financings. Prior to joining Ziegler, he worked for a “Big Four” public accounting firm.

Dan currently resides on a number of investment committees, including the Ziegler Link•Age Longevity Fund, and is on the Advisory Board for Caremerge and the Board for Masterpiece Living. In October 2005, Dan was named to the Contemporary Long Term Care 2005 CLTC Power & Influence Top 25 listing, the magazine’s selection of today’s decision makers “who hold the reins and help shape the path” for senior living. He has lectured at Harvard and internationally on senior living finance (its historical trends, strategic positioning issues, growth potential and other), and served as a member of the CARF-Continuing Care Accreditation Commission’s Financial Advisory Panel.

Dan received a B.S. in finance and accounting from Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, and an M.B.A. with an emphasis in health services management from Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. He is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a number of securities certifications.

Keith Robertson, Ziegler, Managing Director

Keith Robertson joined the senior living team at Ziegler in January of 2007 with significant experience in senior living finance and development. His primary responsibility with Ziegler is to provide investment banking services to not-for-profit sponsors of senior living communities in the northeast. Keith is also Ziegler’s northeast regional team leader.

Keith has considerable experience in structuring rated and unrated financings as well as in the solicitation of bank credit for Ziegler’s northeast senior living clients. In his role covering the northeast, he has significant experience working with clients as they explore sponsorship transition opportunities. During his time with Ziegler, Keith has participated in financings that have raised more than $3.2 billion of capital for Ziegler’s senior living clients.

Prior to joining Ziegler, Keith was a vice president with a nationally recognized full service development firm specializing in providing development, financial, marketing, and management services to not-for-profit continuing care retirement communities. Prior to this, he also worked as an investment banker for a Connecticut based firm and provided financing solutions for not-for-profit senior living communities. 

Keith has a Bachelor of Science in political science from Southern Connecticut State University and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Hartford’s Barney School of Business.

Mimi Rossi, Ziegler, Senior Vice President

Mimi Rossi joined Ziegler’s senior living finance practice in January 2024. As Senior Vice President, Head of Senior Living Research, her primary focus is concentrated on conducting industry research and trend analyses for educative purposes in the form of presentations, newsletters, and research publications. Mimi supports the senior living finance practice nationally and will work to advance the comprehensive healthcare goals of the firm. In her role, she facilitates several primary research projects, coordinates national, regional and statewide industry conferences.

Prior to joining Ziegler, Mimi served as vice president of risk management at Caring Communities, where she oversaw the integration of those services in-house, while building a team of highly skilled analysts to lead the industry in aging services risk management. While there, she also handled data research and tracked industry trends, created the Caring Communities Collaborative program (a round table of members designed to share best practices), coordinated several conferences and events, and became a valuable speaker at industry events and educational programs.

Mimi has a rich background in healthcare and hospital clinical experience. Before Caring Communities, Mimi worked for Thorek Hospital as chief nursing officer for six years, and as assistant general counsel for one year. She also was director of risk management at Rush Oak Park Hospital and worked several years as a registered nurse at Rush University Medical Center, Mimi’s experience in senior living began when she worked in the restaurant at a Life Plan Community, and earlier in her career she spent two years working with older adults at the Johnston R. Bowman Center for Aging at Rush University Medical Center.

Mimi graduated from Saint Louis University’s College of Nursing, before continuing her education at Loyola University’s School of Law where she earned her Juris Doctor, then joined the Illinois State Bar in 2008.

Dan Cavolo, Loyola Group, President

Daniel J. Cavolo is the President of The Loyola Group, LLC.  Since 2002, He has served as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for many of the largest continuing plan communities in the nation.  He has overseen the development and implementation of technological strategic plans for the companies he serves.  Dan has extensive experience leading large technology teams and managing corporate vendors.

Dan started his career in technology in 1998, and has served in a variety of engineering, development, and security technology leadership positions.  He has played a vital role for multiple organizations by managing large construction projects and leading merger and acquisition efforts for his clients. 

Dan has a Business Finance degree from The University of Dayton, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Cleveland State University.

Adam Fumia, Chief Information Officer, Sherrill House

Adam J. Fumia is an accomplished IT professional with over two decades of experience in nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, primarily at Sherrill House, Inc., where he currently serves as Chief Information Officer. In this role, Adam oversees the planning, deployment, and maintenance of IT systems, budget management, strategic planning, compliance, and vendor relationships. He has a proven track record of managing complex IT infrastructures, leading cross-departmental initiatives, and collaborating with executive leadership and the Board of Directors. His experience also includes roles as Director of IT and Senior Executive Assistant, demonstrating expertise in project management, training, and development office operations. Adam's career began with roles in administrative services and development coordination at Hospice Care, Inc. and the Visiting Nurse Association of Boston. He is skilled in a range of IT systems, including The Raiser’s Edge, Microsoft Office Suite, and VMware. A dedicated community member, Adam has volunteered with organizations like the Boy Scouts of America and founded HopedaleMovieNight.

David Lafferty, Chief Information Officer, The RiverWoods Group

David joined the RiverWoods group in October 2021 and brings a unique mix of business acumen and technical expertise to the organization. His experience spans a variety of industries including Fortune 100 distribution, health care and manufacturing.

Previously, David served as Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Empath Health, a not-for-profit post-acute healthcare provider in Southwest Florida, where he led Information Technology, Real Estate, and facilities management.

He enjoys being active in the local community having served as a Board member for the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and a volunteer for Empath’s children’s grief counseling program – Blue Butterfly.

He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from DeVry University in Chicago and has studied Executive Education at MIT/Sloan School of Business, Harvard Medical School and Florida State University. He is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Information Management Systems and a certified Healthcare CIO.

David lives in Epping, NH with his wife Michele, and their Dachshund “Buddy.”  David and Michele have two daughters, one in New Hampshire and the other in Sarasota, Florida.  In his spare time, David enjoys cycling although admits the hills of New Hampshire present a bit more of a challenging ride.

Lisa McCracken, Head of Research & Analytics/NIC

Lisa oversees NIC’s research and analytics team, which develops actionable, data-driven insights on industry challenges and opportunities and showcases practical examples of how organizations nationwide are embracing opportunities to meet the demands of a changing marketplace. Additionally, Lisa oversees a robust research agenda with nationally recognized partners to help the next generation of senior housing and care leaders address evolving and dramatically different consumer preferences and needs. 

Prior to joining NIC, Lisa served as director of senior living research and development with Ziegler, a leading investment bank for senior housing and care, where she oversaw research staff supporting the senior living, senior housing, and related corporate finance healthcare practices. Lisa began her career as a research analyst at Holleran, a healthcare and aging services research and consulting firm, where she was successively promoted to become vice president of research, managing partner and ultimately president between 2009 and 2013. 

She is a nationally recognized thought leader and public speaker and has been the lead researcher on a number of national research studies such as the LeadingAge Ziegler 200 and other industry-wide publications. 

Philippe Saad, DiMella Shaffer, Principal

Philippe joined the firm in 2005 and has focused his career on the design and construction of community-based projects in the Senior Living and Multi-family Residential markets for all income levels. Philippe’s ability to lead planning and design discussions with clients and user groups has contributed to effective collaboration and successful project outcomes.

Believing that architecture is a tool for equity and social change, he is the co-founder of Project Q Communities and a founding member of LGBTQ Senior Housing Inc., two not-for-profits focusing on facilitating the development of housing for LGBTQ older adults. Philippe is also engaged locally in the Dorchester community where he volunteers in local neighborhood organizations, and at the Boston Society of Architects where he co-chairs the Design for Aging Committee.

His past speaking engagements include Leading Age national conferences, the Global Ageing Network and the University of Toronto School of Architecture. In 2021, Philippe was named a Design Champion by Environments for Aging.

Dr. Joan Monin, Associate Professor of Public Health (Social & Behavioral Sciences)

Professor Monin’s research examines how emotional processes affect health in older adult relationships. Her research combines survey methods and laboratory experiments to understand the mechanisms (e.g. emotional contagion, cardiovascular reactivity) and moderators (gender, individual differences in attachment) involved in these processes. Currently her research focuses on understanding how caregivers and care recipients support one another in the context of early stage dementia.

Trish Gathers, President & CEO, The Carmelite System, Inc.

Trish Gathers is a seasoned executive with over three decades of leadership in financial and operational management within the healthcare and senior living industries. Since July 2021, she has served as the President and CEO of The Carmelite System, Inc., bringing strategic vision and operational excellence to the organization.

Previously, she held the role of Chief Operating Officer at The Carmelite System for nearly eight years, overseeing financial and operational strategies to enhance senior care services. Before that, she spent over 12 years as Vice President of Financial Services at Catholic Health East, where she played a key role in finance, information technology, and process redesign for continuing care service lines.

Earlier in her career, Gathers held leadership positions at ACTS Retirement-Life Communities, Inc., The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Crozer-Keystone Health System, and Arthur Andersen & Company. Throughout her career, she has led major financial and operational transformations, spearheaded strategic initiatives, and ensured the long-term sustainability of healthcare organizations.

With expertise in financial oversight, process improvement, and strategic planning, Trish Gathers remains a driving force in the advancement of senior healthcare services and Catholic healthcare mission continuity.

J.P. Venoit, Masonicare, President & Chief Executive Officer

Jon-Paul (JP) Venoit began his career at Masonicare at the age of 16, working in dining services. Thirty years later, he stands at the head of the largest not-for-profit senior care company in the state. Leading an organization through an industry in flux, turned upside down by a global pandemic, to one of the organization’s most successful years in operation, Venoit has been recognized and celebrated as a distinguished leader.

JP holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Insurance from the University of Hartford. He earned his Retirement Housing Professional license in 2003 from the University of North Texas, and a Leadership AAHSA [now LeadingAge] Fellowship certification in 2007.

In 2016, he received his Master of Science in Healthcare Management from Post University.  JP, a native of Wallingford, CT, resides in his hometown with his wife of 22 years, his two sons, and two Siberian Huskies.

JP is the vice chair of the Wallingford Planning and Zoning Commission and serves as Commissioner of the Wallingford Ethics Committee. He is a former chair of the Wallingford Education Foundation and former chair of the Connecticut Assisted Living Association Board and their Institute for Senior Living Education. He is also a past surveyor for the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission (now known as CARF) and was appointed as Vice President to serve on the Board of LeadingAge's Connecticut Chapter.  JP serves as a Board of Visitors for the University of Hartford.

JP is a member of and the past master of Compass Lodge #9.  He is a member of Ashlar Lodge #332, Cosmopolitan #125, Lafayette Consistory (Valley of Bridgeport), Laurel Forest #130, Order of Eastern Star Ashlar Chapter #116, and Sphinx Shriners.

JP’s favorite quote is, “Don’t be afraid of change. Be afraid of not changing.”

Justine Vogel, President, Chief Executive Officer, The RiverWoods Group

Justine is a graduate of Rutgers University with a BS in Accounting, and several Executive Education programs from Columbia, Harvard, and University of Pennsylvania. She began her professional career in auditing and technical accounting roles, working in public accounting and the life insurance industry.

In 1994, Justine joined RiverWoods Exeter as part of the pre-opening team as the Director of Accounting, with growth into the role of CFO in 1997, COO in 2005, and in 2007 Ms. Vogel became President/CEO. The RiverWoods Group system currently serves more than 1,100 seniors and employs more than 900 staff in the southern NH area.

Ms. Vogel is a certified public accountant in the state of New Jersey. She also currently serves on the Board of Directors for Unitil Corporation, chairing the Audit Committee; Caring Communities, chairing the Underwriting Committee; and in 2023 she was appointed to the Board of Trustees for Leading Age, the national industry association for nonprofit aging service providers.

Justine lives in Hampton, NH with her husband, dog and two cats, in what they affectionately call “the zoo.” Her two grown daughters live in Boston and Milan, Italy.

Justine was named as one of the NH 200 in 2020 by New Hampshire Business Review.

Michael Smith, LiveWell, President & CEO

Michael J. Smith has been the President and CEO of LiveWell and a thought leader in the field of dementia services for over 23 years.  He is passionate about transforming our society’s thoughts about aging and people living with dementia. Michael is a nationally recognized speaker and consultant on the topics of transformational leadership in aging services and pioneering models of care for older adults.  He has taught graduate courses in Health Care Public Policy at Yale University and the University of Connecticut. Michael served on the LeadingAge National Not-for-Profit Leadership Cabinet, is a graduate of the National LeadingAge Leadership Academy, and is a past facilitator of Connecticut’s LeadingAge Leadership Academy.  Michael is currently a board member of LeadingAge and a co-chair of the Alzheimer’s Association Harvesting Hope Gala.