Editor’s Note: McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care are profiling the McKnight’s 2023 Women of Distinction honorees daily from July 5 to Aug. 15. For additional McKnight’s Women of Distinction content, visit this page.
Jill Sorenson’s ability to lead, meet goals and foster and maintain meaningful relationships are the foundations of her success.
Her career began in 1982 in an entry-level accounting role. Today, she provides direct oversight to 13 for-profit continuing care retirement communities owned by Healthpeak Properties, a publicly traded healthcare real estate investment trust, and The Forum, a large resident-owned CCRC in Cupertino, CA. The combined portfolio revenue is almost $400 million annually and consists of more than 4,500 independent living units, 800 assisted living units, 300 memory care units, 1,050 skilled nursing beds and 8,000 employees.
Sorenson was president of the San Diego region for LeadingAge California from 2004 to 2008 and a regional representative to the LeadingAge California board from 2004 to 2007.
Under Sorenson’s leadership, the communities have been successful in driving occupancy and establishing a positive sales culture at all levels. The portfolio generated 559 entry fee closings, dropping to 264 in 2020 because of the pandemic, then growing to 400 in 2021 and ending 2022 at 571 entry fee closings. Although LCS has conducted resident and employee satisfaction surveys since the late 1980s, Sorenson led a new initiative to launch a client satisfaction survey tool to be completed every two years. Through her efforts, the company has quantified that 96% of its clients say that their expectations are being met.
Sorenson’s leadership also was instrumental in developing a new strategic planning program called LCS Envision. The program has helped more than 30 communities implement new amenities and services and has led to master planning and the repositioning of outdated campuses to attract new prospects.
Since moving to Florida, Sorenson has become involved with LeadingAge Florida and currently serves on its newly formed Women’s Leadership Network Steering Committee.
The McKnight’s Women of Distinction program is jointly administered by McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care. PointClickCare is the Diamond sponsor of this year’s program. PharMerica is the Silver sponsor. Additional sponsors include American HealthTech, Healthcare Services Group, Omnicare, Sentrics and ShiftKey.
Visit this web page to see lists of honorees from 2023 and previous years.
