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.

With more than 30 years of senior living experience, many of which spent in key leadership roles, Elizabeth Wheatley has seen it all.

She joined Benchmark Senior Living, an organization based in Waltham, MA, in 2021 as vice president of resident care. In this role, Wheatley pioneers new ways to help clinicians serve the residents of Benchmark’s 65 communities. The company relies on her to keep a finger on the pulse of the ever-evolving clinical protocols in the seven states it operates within.

Before Benchmark, Wheatley spent almost two decades with Five Star Senior Living. As Five Star’s vice president of health and wellness, she put residents’ needs at the forefront, designing and managing services such as lifestyle programming to fulfill their unique needs. She also led the firm’s COVID-19 pandemic response initiatives and orchestrated a successful re-opening strategy.

Colleagues describe Wheatley as a person with both strategic and tactical know-how, someone who is able to create effective procedures for large organizations while managing the rapidly changing day-to-day operations of senior living.

“Elizabeth Wheatley is a rare blend of experience and true passion for helping seniors age well and associates succeed in their careers,” a colleague said.

Most importantly, Wheatley is passionate about creating a supporting, inclusive environment for all of her associates. She puts a premium on making sure team members feel welcomed, valued and have the opportunity to flourish.

More about Wheatley: 

  • Wheatley is a board member of the National Center for Assisted Living. 
  • She earned a nursing degree from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Services. 
  • At Benchmark, she is involved in the Inclusion Advisory Council, and works to give staff the tools they need to advance their careers.

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.