State Partners

(Alexandria, Va.) – Senior living advocate Argentum applauded Michigan assisted living providers on their victory following the state legislature approving bipartisan COVID relief legislation that includes $70 million in direct aid for assisted living and related care settings for older adults. After several months of legislative advocacy from the Michigan Assisted Living Association (MALA) and…

ST. PAUL, Minn.—After an executive search process led by its board and members, LeadingAge Minnesota has selected Kari Thurlow as its new president and CEO. For the past 40 years, the organization was led by Gayle Kvenvold, who is slated to retire in the coming days and whose many contributions have been celebrated by the organization and…

RALEIGH, N.C.—North Carolina Assisted Living Association (NCALA) president and CEO Frances Messer has been awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest award for state service granted by the state’s Office of the Governor. Messer has a long history in health care service, beginning from her roots in the mountains of North Carolina,…

Gayle Kvenvold, President and CEO of LeadingAge Minnesota, was recently named a 2021 Most Admired CEO by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. In a feature story published on Sept. 7, Gayle drew attention to the workforce shortages long-term care providers are facing. “Long-term care had a workforce shortage before the pandemic, but it is now…

PHILADELPHIA—Margie Zelenak, executive director of the Pennsylvania Assisted Living Association (PALA), has been named to the Pennsylvania Healthcare Power 100 in recognition of her efforts to improve care, accessibility, and options for the state’s seniors. The Power 100 list is issued by City & State Pennsylvania magazine. “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Zelenak has been a…

SAINT PAUL, MN – LeadingAge Minnesota recently announced that Gayle Kvenvold, the association’s long-time President and CEO, will retire at the end of 2021. For 40 years, Kvenvold has led dramatic change in services and supports for Minnesota’s senior population. She spent 32 years of her 40 years at the association as the organization’s president…