August 18, 2025 —The latest cohort of Kendal Leadership Fellows has completed their transformative journey, representing a remarkable cross-section of talent from across the Kendal system. These 21 graduates—spanning diverse professional backgrounds, tenure lengths, and community functions—have demonstrated the profound impact that intentional leadership development can have on both individuals and organizations.
The 2024-2025 Kendal Leadership Fellows Program brought together professionals from all Kendal System Affiliates, including The Kendal Corporation (TKC), Kendal at Ithaca, Collington, Kendal on Hudson, Kendal at Oberlin, Barclay Friends, Kendal at Lexington, Enso Village, Kendal at Home, Kendal at Hanover, and Lathrop Communities. This geographic and functional diversity created a rich learning environment that exemplifies the strength of the Kendal system.
What emerged from their nine-month journey offers valuable insights into leadership development, personal growth, and the power of authentic connection in professional settings.
A Portrait of Diverse Leadership Potential
The graduating Leadership Fellows represent the breadth and depth of talent within Kendal communities and organization. Their wonderfully diverse work and professional backgrounds span everything from direct care to administration, from facilities management to program coordination. Some are long-tenured employees who have grown with their communities, while others bring fresh perspectives from shorter tenures.
This diversity proved to be one of the program’s greatest strengths. The richness of different functions within communities created opportunities for Fellows to understand the interconnected nature of their work and appreciate perspectives they might never have encountered otherwise.
Perhaps most striking was their openness throughout the program. In small group conversations, Fellows demonstrated remarkable vulnerability—a quality that leadership expert Brené Brown identifies as crucial for effective leadership. Their willingness to try new approaches and share the results of their experiments created a learning laboratory that benefited everyone involved.
Transformative Insights from the Journey
The Fellows’ own reflections, captured throughout their program sessions, reveal the depth of their learning experience. From the very first session focused on “steppingstones,” participants recognized how Kendal’s opportunities and values set people in motion.
“This community brought out my passion for work,” shared one Fellow, while another found comfort in learning that “others pivoted” in their careers. These early insights set the stage for deeper explorations of leadership identity and purpose.
The Power of Asking for Help
One of the most significant takeaways emerged around the importance of seeking support. Fellows discovered “the power of asking for help with a dilemma” and recognized the need to do so more often. This shift challenges traditional leadership models that emphasize self-reliance and instead embraces collaborative approaches to problem-solving.
The group also learned to appreciate powerful questions—not just as tools for gathering information, but as catalysts for deeper thinking and reflection. This skill proves invaluable in healthcare environments where complex situations require thoughtful consideration from multiple angles.
Redefining Leadership Identity
Many Fellows experienced fundamental shifts in how they viewed themselves as leaders. “You can be a leader from any chair,” highlighting that leadership goes beyond traditional hierarchies. This insight aligns perfectly with Kendal’s values-based approach to organizational culture.
Participants learned to see themselves as leaders rather than commanders, embracing influence over authority. They reported “leading with more positivity and transparency” and feeling more confident about “stepping toward big projects.” For some, the experience was about “changing the way I think about life” and proving that you’re “never too old to learn new tricks.”
The Impact of Values in Action
The program’s exploration of Kendal values proved particularly meaningful for Fellows. They recognized how “Kendal changes you—Kendal values humans” and experienced firsthand “the power of belonging and being thanked.” The principle of mutual concern became more than a concept; it became a lived experience.
Fellows gained new appreciation for how “the truth can come from anyone” and learned practical applications like creating moments of silence to foster peace in meetings. They discovered the direct correlation between how much Kendal values impact their work satisfaction and their overall effectiveness.
Dignity and Human Connection
Working in senior living communities, Fellows grappled with profound questions about human dignity and mortality. They spoke passionately about “fighting for the dignity of residents” and learning to see beyond tasks to recognize that residents “are not just a body.”
Drawing from Atul Gawande’s “Being Mortal,” Fellows explored how to sustain themselves emotionally while caring for others. They learned to ask themselves crucial questions: “Did I make someone feel seen, heard, loved?” This introspection led to greater confidence in their ability to make a meaningful impact.
The concept of being a witness to others’ experiences emerged as a powerful tool. Fellows gained appreciation for how “their stories come to a close” and their role in helping facilitate meaningful endings. The simple directive to “be a light—show kindness” became a guiding principle for daily interactions.
Building Supportive Networks
The fellowship experience created bonds that extend far beyond the program itself. Fellows discovered “the power of fellowship across function and across the system,” building relationships that break down silos and foster collaboration.
When asked what would have happened “without this group,” Fellows emphasized the importance of having peers who understood issues they may be encountering and could offer support. This network becomes particularly valuable during challenging times when “asking for help” with their peers on the ground, whom they work with everyday, feels difficult.
Expanding Impact Beyond the Fellowship
The success of the 2024-2025 cohort raises important questions about how these insights and approaches reach beyond the Fellows program to influence the broader Kendal System.
The twenty-one Leadership Fellows themselves are well-positioned to serve as ambassadors for values-based leadership. Their diverse backgrounds and roles give them natural opportunities to model the behaviors and approaches they’ve learned. They can introduce powerful questions into team meetings, advocate for moments of reflection, and demonstrate the vulnerability that fosters genuine connection.
Additionally, their experience suggests several systemic approaches that could amplify their impact. Possibilities include:
Mentorship Programs: Fellows could be paired with newer employees to share their insights about Kendal values and leadership approaches.
Cross-Functional Projects: The relationships built during the program could be leveraged for collaborative initiatives that benefit multiple communities.
Storytelling Initiatives: The powerful reflections and insights generated could be shared more broadly through internal communications, helping others understand the practical application of Kendal values.
Leadership Circles: Smaller, ongoing discussion groups could help sustain the learning and provide continued support for Fellows as they apply their new skills.
Looking Forward: Sustaining the Momentum
The graduation of these 21 Fellows represents both an ending and a beginning. Their journey through the program has equipped them with tools, perspectives, and relationships that will serve them throughout their careers. More importantly, they’ve experienced firsthand how Kendal’s values can be lived out in practical, meaningful ways.
Their collective wisdom—about vulnerability, dignity, human connection, and authentic leadership—offers a roadmap for others in the Kendal system. The challenge now is to find ways to share these insights broadly while maintaining the depth and intimacy that made the Fellows program so transformative.
The success of this cohort reinforces the wisdom of Kendal’s investment in leadership development and points toward exciting possibilities for expanding these approaches throughout the System.
When 21 people discover their potential to lead from any chair, the entire organization benefits from their enhanced confidence, clarity, and commitment to shared values.
——————————————————————————————————————
The Leadership Fellow’s Design Team, which includes Judy Sorum Brown— the program’s lead designer since its beginning—and Lynne Giacobbe, CEO of Kendal at Home, has contributed significantly to its success. Their guidance and expertise are instrumental in shaping the program and ensuring its effectiveness. Read more here about the Kendal Leadership Fellows program and what makes it so distinctive.
2024-2025 Session Graduates:
- Cara Cassner TKC
- Amanda Paz Kendal at Ithaca
- Christopher Watkins Collington
- Sherve Simeon Kendal on Hudson
- Jamisha Norman Collington
- Kelly Corcoran Kendal at Oberlin
- Taylor Foxworth Barclay Friends
- Kenneth Lesher Kendal at Lexington
- Carrie Ritrovato Barclay Friends
- Christopher Jones Collington
- Olga Linetski Kendal on Hudson
- Jennifer Lombardi Kendal at Ithaca
- Daniel Rock TKC
- Angela Tisbe Kendal on Hudson
- Adam Bulatewicz Enso Village
- Melissa Neman Kendal at Home
- Robin Mariotti Kendal at Hanover
- Jackie Robbins Kendal at Hanover
- Maureen Tagliavento Kendal at Ithaca
- Angela Rafine TKC
- Nina Patnode Lathrop Communities
New Session Coming Soon
If you are a Kendal staff member considering the program, talk with your supervisor. We encourage you to take the leap and participate. It could be a life-changing experience for you, too!
For more information, visit https://www.kendal.org/careers/leadership-fellows/