In today’s rapidly evolving senior living industry, strong leadership isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential. That’s where the Argentum Leadership Advancement and Development (LEAD) program comes in. Now accepting nominations through August 11 for its next cohort, LEAD is transforming how emerging leaders across the industry step into their potential—with confidence, clarity, and community.
What Makes LEAD Different?
At its core, LEAD is more than a leadership training—it’s a leadership transformation. Developed specifically for senior living professionals, the program focuses on real-world challenges and equips participants with the tools, frameworks, and support systems they need to thrive.
Kelly Gotoh Harms, founder of KGH Leadership and facilitator of the LEAD program, describes it this way, “I was drawn to the LEAD program because it powerfully reflects KGH Leadership’s mission: elevating leaders in service-oriented fields through evidence-based, human-centered development. Partnering with Argentum to invest in those who care for our aging population feels both purposeful and deeply personal.”
Harms continues, “What makes LEAD unique is its authenticity and relevance. It’s not a generic leadership model; it’s tailored to the specific challenges and opportunities facing those who lead in senior living communities. From the first session, it creates space for participants to reflect, build skill, and grow in a way that honors their everyday reality while stretching their vision.”
That tailored approach makes all the difference.
Tools You Can Use Right Away
One of the hallmarks of the LEAD program is its immediate applicability. From the very first session, participants are introduced to tools that help them lead more intentionally, plan more strategically, and navigate day-to-day challenges with clarity.
Among the most popular tools is the Eisenhower Matrix, a time-management framework that helps leaders prioritize tasks by urgency and importance. In a senior living environment where demands can shift quickly—from family concerns and staffing needs to regulatory changes—this simple yet powerful tool enables leaders to distinguish between what’s urgent, what’s important, and what can be delegated or deferred. It’s a mindset shift that allows for smarter decision-making and reduced stress.
Another essential tool is the Change Catalyst Proposal, a structured method for presenting ideas, proposing solutions, and driving innovation. Rather than just identifying a problem, participants learn how to frame a challenge in a way that invites collaboration and action. This approach builds credibility and empowers leaders to become agents of positive change within their communities.
In addition to these frameworks, the LEAD curriculum includes reflective journals, coaching exercises, and communication templates that can be applied immediately with teams. Whether it’s preparing for a difficult conversation, mapping out a new initiative, or gaining buy-in from peers, participants leave each session with something they can use the very next day.
The result? A leadership toolkit that grows in real-time—bridging the gap between learning and doing. Participants frequently report increased confidence, improved time management, and more productive interactions with their teams as early as Week 1.
A Curriculum Grounded in Reality
LEAD was built with the complex realities of senior living leadership in mind. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all program; it’s a purposefully designed curriculum that speaks to the daily experiences of those leading communities across the country. From staffing shortages and shifting regulations to resident satisfaction and team morale, the challenges facing today’s leaders are multifaceted—and so are the solutions offered through LEAD.
Each weekly module addresses a specific leadership competency, including emotional intelligence, change management, communication strategy, and accountability. But rather than offering theory in a vacuum, the program embeds these skills in real-world scenarios that resonate with participants. Leaders are encouraged to bring their current challenges into the conversation, allowing them to workshop solutions with support from peers and facilitators who truly understand the industry’s nuances.
This grounding in reality makes the learning stick—and ensures that every skill developed through LEAD translates directly into better leadership on the job.
A Safe Space to Reflect—and Rise
In the senior living profession, leaders are often so busy caring for others that they rarely have time to care for themselves—or even pause to think about their own leadership journey. LEAD changes that.
Participants describe the program as a rare and welcome space where they can take a breath, reflect on their values and goals, and rediscover their “why.” Through weekly exercises, peer dialogue, and moments of mindfulness, leaders are invited to shift from reactive to reflective—and, in doing so, gain a new level of clarity and confidence.
This reflection is not about stepping back; it’s about rising forward. When leaders are given the time and tools to reconnect with their purpose, they return to their teams reenergized and ready to lead with greater intention.
Conversations That Matter
One of the most powerful components of the LEAD experience is the dialogue that unfolds each week. Every session includes interactive breakout groups where participants explore key themes, share experiences, and learn from one another. These conversations are more than just “discussion time”—they are spaces for authenticity, vulnerability, and shared wisdom.
In these circles, no one is a title; everyone is a voice. Leaders from across the country and across roles engage in honest, insightful dialogue that builds trust and connection. Participants often say it’s the first time they’ve felt truly heard in a professional setting.
And as these conversations unfold, something transformative happens: leaders begin to realize they are not alone. The shared experiences and collective problem-solving foster a sense of solidarity that continues long after the final session ends.
Personal Growth That Drives Team Impact
LEAD is not just about personal development—it’s about organizational impact. As participants grow in self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking, the benefits ripple across their communities.
They learn how to communicate more effectively, coach their teams with empathy, delegate with confidence, and navigate conflict with composure. These shifts don’t go unnoticed—team dynamics improve, morale strengthens, and performance often follows.
Participants frequently report that they return to their communities with a renewed sense of purpose and a toolkit to support not just their own growth, but that of their entire team. It’s leadership that lifts everyone—and that’s the ultimate goal.
A Gateway to Industry Connections
Leadership is strengthened by relationships—and LEAD opens the door to some of the most valuable connections in the industry. Each participant receives complimentary registration to one of Argentum’s signature events: the Senior Living Executive Conference (for the Spring cohort) or the Senior Living Leadership Summit (for the Fall cohort).
These events offer more than just networking—they’re immersive opportunities to engage with top executives, policy leaders, and industry innovators. From panel discussions to hallway conversations, LEAD participants gain exposure to the broader senior living landscape and insight into where the industry is heading next.
It’s a chance to see the big picture—and to find your place in shaping it.
Lifelong Community and Alumni Network
The LEAD experience doesn’t end with graduation. Participants become part of an exclusive and growing alumni network that continues to meet, collaborate, and support one another long after the program concludes.
This network spans geographies, organizations, and roles—but is unified by a shared commitment to excellence in senior living. Alumni gain access to ongoing professional development opportunities, peer groups, and special events, ensuring that their leadership journey is sustained and supported.
And perhaps most importantly, they carry the LEAD spirit into every room they enter—serving as mentors, culture champions, and change-makers in their communities and beyond.
Meet the Facilitator
The heart of the LEAD experience lies in its facilitation, and that’s where KGH Leadership shines. Founded by Kelly Gotoh Harms, KGH is a certified woman-owned small business that specializes in transformative leadership development and people-centered learning.
With roots in behavioral science and a deep understanding of organizational dynamics, KGH creates programs that are as strategic as they are human. The firm partners with mission-driven organizations to co-design leadership experiences that align with their values, goals, and culture.
In LEAD, KGH brings not just content—but connection. Harms’s facilitation style is engaging, compassionate, and grounded in real-world insight. She meets each participant where they are—and helps them see who they can become.
Bringing It All Together: Capstone Projects
At the culmination of the LEAD program, each participant completes a Capstone Project—a hands-on opportunity to apply what they’ve learned to a real-world leadership challenge or initiative within their organization. These projects are more than just academic exercises—they’re living examples of leadership in action.
This year, participants presented their projects as PowerPoint presentations, showcasing the strategies, solutions, and insights they’ve developed over the course of the program. The spring 2025 session featured a dynamic array of projects that addressed everything from team communication improvements and resident engagement programs to operational efficiency and staff development.
These capstones serve a dual purpose: they reinforce each participant’s learning and provide actionable ideas that can benefit the broader senior living field. Each presentation is a testament to the creativity, commitment, and capacity for impact that LEAD helps cultivate.
Whether it’s launching a new initiative, solving a persistent problem, or strengthening a team’s culture, the Capstone Projects are proof that LEAD graduates don’t just think like leaders—they act like them.
Advice for the Next Class of Leaders
If there’s one message Kelly Gotoh Harms would offer to future participants, it’s this, “Come with openness. The more honestly you show up, the more you’ll grow. LEAD isn’t about checking a box or earning a credential. It’s about taking an intentional step toward the leader you want to be—and making a lasting investment in yourself, your team, and your future.”
So show up curious. Be ready to listen, stretch, and engage. The journey ahead may surprise you—but you’ll never walk it alone.
Nominate a Leader for the Fall Cohort by August 11
Do you know someone in your organization who is ready to take the next step in their leadership journey? Someone who demonstrates potential, passion, and a commitment to excellence?
Nominate them today for the upcoming Fall 2025 cohort of the Argentum Leadership Advancement and Development (LEAD) program. The deadline to submit nominations is August 11.
Visit www.argentum.org/LEAD to nominate a leader and learn more.
Because the future of senior living depends on the leaders we invest in today.