Lynne Katzmann (right) is congratulated by LTC Properties REIT
President and CEO Wendy Simpson.
McKnight’s Women of Distinction Lifetime Achievement Award winner Lynne Katzmann directed a challenge to senior care stakeholders in all positions while delivering a charged acceptance speech at the inaugural McKnight’s Women of Distinction awards ceremony.
A standing-room-only crowd honored 41 top achievers at the Thursday evening reception at the EvolveHer workspace in Chicago.
The owner of the biggest female-owned senior living and care organization in the U.S., Katzmann drew heavily on gratitude to past influencers and cast hope for the future of the throng before her.
Katzmann called for more female representation in provider C-suites — and beyond.
“More importantly, boards of our companies need to reflect gender equity,” said the founder, president and CEO of Juniper Communities. “Gender-balanced boards get results. Tonight, I want to challenge all of us to create gender-balanced boards.”
Katzmann drew a standing ovation for her remarks and then 21 “Rising Stars” and 19 inductees to the veterans’ Hall of Honor were honored with plaques and rousing applause.
Honorees from across the country, accompanied by family members, colleagues and other industry well-wishers, were inspired by winners’ stories. From entrepreneurial business founders, to immigrant success stories to the registered nurse/licensed nursing home administrator/business owner who recently added “volunteer firefighter” to her resume at age 68, the inaugural honors class earned their hearty acclaim.
Full lists of the Hall of Honor and Rising Stars honorees can be found here and here, as well as a winners’ gallery here. The night’s awards ceremony and overall Platinum program sponsor is PointClickCare. SimplyConnect is the Gold Sponsor.
More in-depth coverage and photos of the awards ceremony and program will appear in the June and July issues of McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and the June and August issues of McKnight’s Senior Living, as well as on their online counterparts, mcknights.com and mcknightsseniorliving.com.
Nominations for the 2020 Women of Distinction awards will open in December.
