Janel Kohaut, Govt Director of Juniper Village at Chatham at Juniper Communities, has been named a 2025 Future Chief by Senior Housing Information.
To turn into a Future Chief, a person is nominated by their friends. The candidate have to be a high-performing worker who’s 40 years of age or youthful, a passionate employee who is aware of easy methods to put imaginative and prescient into motion, and an advocate for older adults and the dedicated professionals who guarantee their well-being.
Kohaut sat down with Senior Housing Information to share what drew her to the senior housing & senior residing business, the largest management classes she has realized, her ideas on the way forward for senior housing & senior residing, and way more. To be taught extra in regards to the Future Leaders Awards program, go to https://futureleaders.wtwhmedia.com/.
SHN: What drew you to the senior housing & senior residing business?
Kohaut: I used to be drawn to this business, not simply by alternative, however by a way of accountability. My grandmother lived with Alzheimer’s, and I noticed firsthand how compassion, dignity, and consistency matter, not solely to the particular person residing with the illness, however to their household. That have formed every part for me.
I knew I needed to guide in a area the place the work has that means and the place sturdy management immediately impacts somebody’s high quality of life. As soon as I noticed how a lot affect one group, one tradition, one chief might have, I used to be all in.
SHN: What’s your greatest management lesson realized since beginning to serve this business?
Kohaut: That individuals don’t observe titles, they observe belief. It’s a must to be prepared to indicate up in your crew on the great days and the robust ones.
I’ve realized that communication is every part. The extra clear and constant you might be, the stronger your tradition turns into. You additionally must hear. You’ll be able to’t lead properly in case you’re probably not listening to your workers, your residents, or your households.
SHN: Should you might change one factor with an eye fixed towards the way forward for the senior housing & senior residing business, what wouldn’t it be?
Kohaut: I might drive a deeper dedication to a high-tech, high-touch mannequin. Know-how must be embraced not as a substitute for care, however as a instrument that permits us to deepen it.
The aim isn’t automation. It’s personalization and permitting our associates to spend extra time face-to-face with residents. We owe it to the following technology of seniors, and to the individuals who look after them.
SHN: In a single phrase, how would you describe the way forward for senior housing & senior residing?
Kohaut: Built-in.
The communities that thrive would be the ones that combine innovation and empathy, information and dignity, operational excellence and human connection. It’s not sufficient to be environment friendly. We’ve got to be private, and I’m proud to work for a corporation already doing this.
SHN: Should you had a crystal ball, what do you suppose will affect the senior housing & senior residing business now and into 2026?
Kohaut: The best shifts will come from how we stability innovation with intimacy. Sure, know-how will proceed to streamline operations and assist wellness whether or not by predictive well being information, sensible security programs, or household engagement instruments. However the true affect will come from how we use these instruments to create deeper human connection.
As residents reside longer and households search extra transparency, belief will probably be our foreign money. Communities that concentrate on relationships, elevate their tradition, and empower their groups will stand out. It’s not nearly evolving programs, it’s about elevating the expertise for everybody we serve.
SHN: In your opinion, what qualities should all Future Leaders possess?
Kohaut: Future Leaders in senior residing should lead by service. You’ll be able to’t encourage a crew from the sidelines. It’s a must to be prepared to leap in, whether or not which means serving meals within the eating room, serving to a resident prepare for the day or main a Yoga class. It’s about setting the tone.
When your crew sees that you simply’re current, engaged, and prepared to do the work, it builds belief and loyalty. Nice leaders are regular, considerate, and grounded. They adapt when plans crumble and nonetheless present up with readability and compassion. Most significantly, they lead with coronary heart as a result of on this business, individuals can really feel the distinction while you genuinely care.
SHN: Should you might give recommendation to your self trying again to your first day within the senior housing & senior residing business, what wouldn’t it be and why?
Kohaut: Communicate up early. You don’t want many years of expertise to carry worth. Ask the questions, elevate the concepts, and don’t watch for permission to guide.
This area rewards individuals who care deeply and suppose critically, and in case your coronary heart is in the correct place, you’ll find the correct path. Additionally, don’t underestimate how laborious this job might be. However while you see a resident smile, or hear from a household that you simply made a distinction, it’s all price it.
