Since Kendal at Oberlin opened in 1993, decisions, big and small, have been guided by Quaker values. However, one situation had yet to present itself: hiring a CEO. In early 2023, Barbara Thomas, the community’s first and only CEO, announced she would retire. This began a yearlong transition process that put transparency, consensus, inclusion, and other core values to the test.
The Result
“This was a positive step in the life of the community,” said Rollin Conway, president of the Kendal at Oberlin Residents’ Association (KORA). “This was a strong and inclusive process,” said Joan Villarreal, chair of the Kendal at Oberlin Board of Directors, which together, reached a consensus to hire Seth Vilensky as the new CEO.
CEO Transition Team
The yearlong process started with the CEO Transition Team, comprised of Joan, Rollin and ten others. The team represented Boards, residents and employees and reflected diversity in all areas, including but not limited to age, race and gender.
The Team’s first challenge was committing to transparency while maintaining appropriate confidentiality. Relying on Quaker values, the group agreed to make Joan and Rollin the public faces of the Team.
The nationwide search was conducted with the CEO Transition Team and the executive search firm Deffet Group guiding the process. Consider these numbers:
- A dozen monthly articles in the Kendalight Newsletter kept the community informed.
- Half a dozen public meetings with KORA Council and residents were held to report out and to hear input.
- A two-day on-site visit with Deffett’s leadership was completed, including meetings with a total of 75 residents and staff members representing range of interests and positions.
Over 40 people applied for the position, and the Team narrowed the field to four finalists. A special KORA meeting was held in an overflowing auditorium, where residents asked the candidates questions. This meeting was recorded and shared with the candidates before the on-campus interviews.
“This meeting emphasized to candidates how involved residents are. A CEO works collaboratively with residents and employees to provide services for the community. Bottom line: this is the way Kendal at Oberlin works,” shared Rollin.
During their Kendal visits, the finalists were interviewed by five different groups representing a cross-section of the community. Four finalists became three, then two. The Team reached a consensus and presented their recommendation to the Board, who, in turn, reached the same conclusion.
Two New Department Directors
As the CEO search was underway, Kendal at Oberlin also had to fill two department head positions. In both cases, promoting from within was the answer.
Lisa Wilken, a 16-year veteran, was named Director of Hospitality Services in November, and 20-year employee Ryan Stalzkowski was named Director of Facility Services in early 2024.
Seth’s start date, January 29, overlapped with Barbara’s last day, February 9, just as the Board had planned. Seth and the Leadership Transition Support Team are working hard to ensure this leadership change is successful for the entire Kendal at Oberlin community.
Joan and Rollin report that feedback from the community continues to be positive, and the successful outcome reinforces that Quaker values and practices remain strong at Kendal at Oberlin.