In this episode, Gigi Amateau, MS, PhD, and Morgan Alexander, LMSW, MSG, explore how fostering a culture of safety and belonging within organizations can enhance job satisfaction and employee retention. Gigi, an assistant professor and Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed Care Lab Director for the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Department of Gerontology and Virginia Center on Aging, explains the principles of trauma-informed care, emphasizing the need to understand individuals' life histories to create safe spaces and prevent re-traumatization. Morgan, with her expertise in social work and care management, sheds light on person-centered care and the impact of power dynamics in caregiving relationships. Together, they discuss the importance of listening deeply, honoring older adults’ experiences, and cultivating care environments where everyone feels valued and respected.

Voices in Leadership is produced by Association Briefings.

In our Season 3 premiere, Dr. Kristine Theurer, president of JAVA Group Programs, shares how her personal journey of grief inspired her to develop the first standardized peer support interventions for senior living communities. These programs, now implemented in over 2,000 communities, use structured themes and guidelines to create meaningful connections, significantly reducing loneliness and depression among participants. Dr. Theurer highlights research demonstrating increased happiness and decreased health risks for those involved and shares her vision for expanding peer support globally to combat loneliness—not just in senior living but also in schools and caregiver support networks.

In this episode, we hear how three leaders from The Chesapeake are impacting their staff retention efforts, focusing on professional development and why their individual Leadership Academy experiences were so special to each of them. You'll walk away from this episode either wanting to apply for a job, move in or, at the very least, visit their boutique!