Editor’s Note: McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care are profiling the McKnight’s 2024 Women of Distinction honorees daily from July 1 to Aug. 13. For additional McKnight’s Women of Distinction content, visit this page.
Christian Grunder has been at Givens Communities for 15 years, but few experiences could prepare her for the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when she began serving as vice president of human resources. But, true to form, she accepted the challenges head-on without complaint and ultimately improved operations efficiency at the organization.
Recognizing the need for modern solutions, Grunder and her team researched and implemented new training programs, employee onboarding processes and engagement software. The moves included making strategic additions to the team, including staff recruiters, data analysts and SharePoint developers. This approach not only saved Givens on consulting fees but also brought increased flexibility and improved results to the workplace. Many of the new positions were filled by internal hires, demonstrating the career advancement potential for Givens employees.
Grunder also has been instrumental in curating the community’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts to make the environment as welcoming and inclusive as possible.
“One of Christian’s standout achievements is her commitment to diversity and inclusion within the senior living landscape. She has played a pivotal role in implementing comprehensive training programs that promote diversity and inclusion across Givens Communities’ campuses,” her nominators said. “Her dedication to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for both residents and staff sets her apart as a true advocate for positive change in the senior living industry.”
More about Grunder:
- Grunder participated in LeadingAge’s Larry Minnix Leadership Academy in 2023.
- Collaborating with GrowthSpace, Grunder facilitates leadership coaching for current department heads and identifies potential leaders within the organization.
- Her career with Givens began in the programming department before she was promoted to human resources coordinator.
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. Healthcare Services Group was the Platinum sponsor of this year’s McKnight’s Women of Distinction Awards and Forum. PointClickCare was the Gold sponsor, and PharMerica was the Silver sponsor. Other sponsors included Curana Health, DirecTV for Business, Easyshifts, Hireology, Reliant Rehabilitation, ShiftKey and Sentrics.
Visit this web page to see lists of honorees from 2024 and previous years.
