Outstanding Employees at 2Life Communities
Our Front Row Leadership
As a mission-driven organization, every member of the 2Life team has an opportunity to make a difference for those we serve. We are particularly proud of management practices that empower every person to be a leader -- whether by providing exceptional service to residents, contributing innovative ideas, or spreading the word about 2Life's mission. In this rotating segment, we highlight people from throughout our organization who lead by example and exemplify the mission of 2Life Communities.
Spring 2024
Abdel Ait Chaib & Ghizlane Bellacen | A tradition of helping others
For Abdel Ait Chaib and Ghizlane Bellacen, assisting older adults isn’t just their job — it’s their culture. In their native Morocco, living in multigenerational families is the norm. That has proven to be the ideal background for their roles at Shillman House in Framingham.
Abdel serves as a maintenance mechanic and Ghizlane as a site representative, providing on-site assistance to residents in the evenings and overnight. But that doesn’t begin to describe how they view their roles. “The residents here are like our own grandparents. It’s a great pleasure to talk with them and help with whatever they need,” says Ghizlane.
That sense of family extends to their two young children, who enjoy living at Shillman House. “They love visiting the people here,” Ghizlane notes, sharing that the children often deliver packages to residents, who look forward to these youthful visits.
In addition to his day job doing maintenance, Abdel also pitches in as a site representative in the evenings. In fact, they both routinely assist with tasks that are not part of their job descriptions. You can often find one or both of them helping to set up for an event, for example. “We never say no,” Ghizlane says.
It’s all about people supporting each other, they say. “Where we grew up, if your neighbor needs help, you help them,” Abdel explains. “If you can help someone, just do it.”
Abdel serves as a maintenance mechanic and Ghizlane as a site representative, providing on-site assistance to residents in the evenings and overnight. But that doesn’t begin to describe how they view their roles. “The residents here are like our own grandparents. It’s a great pleasure to talk with them and help with whatever they need,” says Ghizlane.
That sense of family extends to their two young children, who enjoy living at Shillman House. “They love visiting the people here,” Ghizlane notes, sharing that the children often deliver packages to residents, who look forward to these youthful visits.
In addition to his day job doing maintenance, Abdel also pitches in as a site representative in the evenings. In fact, they both routinely assist with tasks that are not part of their job descriptions. You can often find one or both of them helping to set up for an event, for example. “We never say no,” Ghizlane says.
It’s all about people supporting each other, they say. “Where we grew up, if your neighbor needs help, you help them,” Abdel explains. “If you can help someone, just do it.”
Keith Kennedy | Maintaining rewarding relationships
Keith Kennedy is a maintenance mechanic at our Shirley Meadows campus, a job he sees as maintaining close relationships with the residents who rely on him as much as making sure that everything functions as it should.
Keith makes himself available through an open door policy. “I want people to know that they have someone they can turn to whenever they have an issue,” he says. “No matter how minor it is, I want to know. Taking care of little problems helps avoid bigger problems.”
Keith is always willing to go out of his way to help, whether it’s hanging a picture on a wall or just lending an ear. This approach has made him a favorite with residents: “That builds trust, which is very important. After all, I’m coming into their home.” In return, he reaps benefits from these relationships. “Residents have a lot of good advice and great stories. Spending time with them is really a treat,” he says.
Over the years, Keith has worked in a variety of settings, from college dormitories to market-rate rentals. But at 2Life, he’s found the ideal environment. “Everyone at 2Life supports the mission of living in community,” he asserts. “It matches my own vision for how residents should be treated.”
Keith makes himself available through an open door policy. “I want people to know that they have someone they can turn to whenever they have an issue,” he says. “No matter how minor it is, I want to know. Taking care of little problems helps avoid bigger problems.”
Keith is always willing to go out of his way to help, whether it’s hanging a picture on a wall or just lending an ear. This approach has made him a favorite with residents: “That builds trust, which is very important. After all, I’m coming into their home.” In return, he reaps benefits from these relationships. “Residents have a lot of good advice and great stories. Spending time with them is really a treat,” he says.
Over the years, Keith has worked in a variety of settings, from college dormitories to market-rate rentals. But at 2Life, he’s found the ideal environment. “Everyone at 2Life supports the mission of living in community,” he asserts. “It matches my own vision for how residents should be treated.”
Rosie Schiavone | Embracing new ways to help
Rosie Schiavone loves a challenge. She continually takes on new tasks that expand her knowledge — and her impact on 2Life Communities.
As facilities administrator, Rosie is responsible for managing all the contracts, invoices, insurance paperwork, and other details that keep our facilities team on track. She’s always willing to take on something new, such as implementing a new online training platform for our maintenance mechanics.
“Even if it’s something I’ve never done, I want to do it,” she says. “For me, it’s important to step up and help when needed.”
Rosie’s talent and excitement for learning new things is matched by her enjoyment of other people. You will often find her helping out at 2Life events or visiting with residents. “I always take time to ask about their day or compliment them. I think kindness is contagious,” she explains.
A music lover since childhood, Rosie also enjoys playing the piano in the Brighton lobby. “If there are residents nearby, I think it gives them a little joy. I see the smiles on their faces. And it’s a way to communicate across language barriers,” she explains.
Although Rosie has worked at 2Life for just a year and a half, she feels fortunate to contribute to our mission of helping older adults live full lives in community. “Honoring our elders is very important to me,” Rosie says. “When I see what 2Life has done for so many older adults, and being part of something so grand, it makes me very proud.”
As facilities administrator, Rosie is responsible for managing all the contracts, invoices, insurance paperwork, and other details that keep our facilities team on track. She’s always willing to take on something new, such as implementing a new online training platform for our maintenance mechanics.
“Even if it’s something I’ve never done, I want to do it,” she says. “For me, it’s important to step up and help when needed.”
Rosie’s talent and excitement for learning new things is matched by her enjoyment of other people. You will often find her helping out at 2Life events or visiting with residents. “I always take time to ask about their day or compliment them. I think kindness is contagious,” she explains.
A music lover since childhood, Rosie also enjoys playing the piano in the Brighton lobby. “If there are residents nearby, I think it gives them a little joy. I see the smiles on their faces. And it’s a way to communicate across language barriers,” she explains.
Although Rosie has worked at 2Life for just a year and a half, she feels fortunate to contribute to our mission of helping older adults live full lives in community. “Honoring our elders is very important to me,” Rosie says. “When I see what 2Life has done for so many older adults, and being part of something so grand, it makes me very proud.”
Winter 2024
Natalie Thoresen | Cultivating a flourishing volunteer community
Every day, you’ll find volunteers interacting with 2Life residents in ways that bring joy—whether helping them with technology or leading them in song. Behind 2Life’s thriving volunteer program is Natalie Thoresen, a dynamic leader driven by a deep appreciation of the power of service to others. Since taking on the role of Volunteer Program Manager during the pandemic, Natalie has worked to create a tight community of engaged volunteers, while fostering a spirit of volunteerism across 2Life.
From the start, Natalie has taken an intentional approach to recruiting and supporting volunteers. She developed a robust onboarding program to effectively match volunteer skills, interests, and availability to residents’ needs. She works closely with all volunteers, providing the support, information, and consistent presence they need to feel truly connected to 2Life.
Strengthening a sense of community among the volunteers is essential for their engagement. Natalie’s Volunteer Appreciation events and online team-building events help volunteers get to know each other and share insights. Natalie was also instrumental in the development of a new Volunteer Portal that provides easy access to a wealth of resources.
Natalie also serves as a catalyst to engage both residents and staff in volunteering in some way, encouraging everyone to seek out opportunities to pitch in and support each other. She emphasizes the personal rewards, noting that volunteering is a great way to connect with others.
“I’ve been volunteering most of my life. It’s a way to step outside of yourself and be compassionate to others,” Natalie says. “I think it’s a universal thing to want a sense of purpose.”
From the start, Natalie has taken an intentional approach to recruiting and supporting volunteers. She developed a robust onboarding program to effectively match volunteer skills, interests, and availability to residents’ needs. She works closely with all volunteers, providing the support, information, and consistent presence they need to feel truly connected to 2Life.
Strengthening a sense of community among the volunteers is essential for their engagement. Natalie’s Volunteer Appreciation events and online team-building events help volunteers get to know each other and share insights. Natalie was also instrumental in the development of a new Volunteer Portal that provides easy access to a wealth of resources.
Natalie also serves as a catalyst to engage both residents and staff in volunteering in some way, encouraging everyone to seek out opportunities to pitch in and support each other. She emphasizes the personal rewards, noting that volunteering is a great way to connect with others.
“I’ve been volunteering most of my life. It’s a way to step outside of yourself and be compassionate to others,” Natalie says. “I think it’s a universal thing to want a sense of purpose.”
Viorika Zeqo | A lifetime of service working with older adults
2Life has been part of Viorika Zeqo’s life since childhood. When her family emigrated to the United States from Albania more than 20 years ago, Golda Meir House provided both employment for her parents and a place for the family to live for a number of years. Today, as Assistant Director at Shillman House, she cherishes those memories and does whatever she can to ensure her residents have the same joyful experience of living here as she did.
A key part of Viorika’s role is working with people applying to live at 2Life, helping them navigate the often complex maze of financial guidelines and determine eligibility. She does whatever it takes, often wading through piles of paperwork to ensure each applicant receives the subsidies for which they qualify. She is also a valuable resource for Albanian-speaking residents, translating important documents for them.
A gifted problem-solver who loves a challenge, Viorika is always looking for ways to do things more efficiently or effectively. When shopping for supplies, she’s a tenacious bargain hunter. When an extra pair of hands is needed, Viorika is always willing to pitch in. During a recent power outage due to a storm, she helped out in the kitchen and covered the front desk, reassuring residents and alleviating their concerns.
“I’ve spent my entire life with older adults. Growing up at Golda was like having 200 grandparents,” Viorika says. “I love working with 2Life residents. They say what they mean, which is very refreshing.”
A key part of Viorika’s role is working with people applying to live at 2Life, helping them navigate the often complex maze of financial guidelines and determine eligibility. She does whatever it takes, often wading through piles of paperwork to ensure each applicant receives the subsidies for which they qualify. She is also a valuable resource for Albanian-speaking residents, translating important documents for them.
A gifted problem-solver who loves a challenge, Viorika is always looking for ways to do things more efficiently or effectively. When shopping for supplies, she’s a tenacious bargain hunter. When an extra pair of hands is needed, Viorika is always willing to pitch in. During a recent power outage due to a storm, she helped out in the kitchen and covered the front desk, reassuring residents and alleviating their concerns.
“I’ve spent my entire life with older adults. Growing up at Golda was like having 200 grandparents,” Viorika says. “I love working with 2Life residents. They say what they mean, which is very refreshing.”
David Berde | Demonstrating the power of compassion
For David Berde, the most important service of all is compassion. As Resident Services Coordinator at Golda Meir House, he ensures that residents feel heard, valued, cared for, and connected to the 2Life community.
David acts as a bridge to services that residents need — such as transportation to appointments, meal resources, communicating with health care teams, or homecare support. Beyond those core responsibilities, his positive attitude and empathy have made David a go-to person for residents seeking a sounding board. He also reaches out to new 2Life staff members and residents, welcoming them into our community.
With a social work and mental health background, David works hand-in-hand with an external service provider to serve chronically unhoused individuals, helping them integrate into the 2Life setting. He also represented 2Life at a Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) mental health initiative, bringing strategies back to 2Life staff to address this crucial issue.
David also brings his perspective and insights as a person of color to 2Life’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, helping us fulfill our commitment to DEI in every aspect of our operations.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to serve this population and community. I’m proud to contribute to an environment where people feel safe, supported, and joyful during a very special chapter of their lives,” David says. “It’s truly a blessing working at 2Life.”
David acts as a bridge to services that residents need — such as transportation to appointments, meal resources, communicating with health care teams, or homecare support. Beyond those core responsibilities, his positive attitude and empathy have made David a go-to person for residents seeking a sounding board. He also reaches out to new 2Life staff members and residents, welcoming them into our community.
With a social work and mental health background, David works hand-in-hand with an external service provider to serve chronically unhoused individuals, helping them integrate into the 2Life setting. He also represented 2Life at a Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) mental health initiative, bringing strategies back to 2Life staff to address this crucial issue.
David also brings his perspective and insights as a person of color to 2Life’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, helping us fulfill our commitment to DEI in every aspect of our operations.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to serve this population and community. I’m proud to contribute to an environment where people feel safe, supported, and joyful during a very special chapter of their lives,” David says. “It’s truly a blessing working at 2Life.”
Fall 2023
Shixuan Ai | Orchestrating Joyful Connections, note by note
Shixuan Ai uses the power of music to reconnect residents with positive memories and emotions—and with each other. Joining 2Life just over a year ago, Shixuan coordinates the Joyful Connections program, 2Life’s creative, culturally sensitive therapeutic program to address the needs of residents on the memory loss spectrum.
With a graduate degree in music therapy, Shixuan has brought renewed energy to the program, combining movement, art, and music. Her sessions with residents are filled with song as she encourages participants to sing along as she plays the guitar or piano.
These musical interactions can be extremely powerful. Shixuan points to the example of one resident experiencing dementia who was withdrawn. “One day, I played a Chinese song and she just opened up. The music became a conversation tool that opened her memories,” she recalls, noting that music is an effective way to communicate across languages and cultures.
Shixuan encourages interactions among participants, creating a sense of belonging. “Sometimes, a participant will forget the lyrics to a song, but another person will fill in. They help and support each other,” she explains. “Participants feel they are not alone but part of a community.”
Shixuan says sharing her passion for music with older adults brings her deep satisfaction.
“I enjoy working with the residents at 2Life. Everyone here is focused on the same goal: to help the people who live here have a better quality of life,” she says. “Music can help.”
With a graduate degree in music therapy, Shixuan has brought renewed energy to the program, combining movement, art, and music. Her sessions with residents are filled with song as she encourages participants to sing along as she plays the guitar or piano.
These musical interactions can be extremely powerful. Shixuan points to the example of one resident experiencing dementia who was withdrawn. “One day, I played a Chinese song and she just opened up. The music became a conversation tool that opened her memories,” she recalls, noting that music is an effective way to communicate across languages and cultures.
Shixuan encourages interactions among participants, creating a sense of belonging. “Sometimes, a participant will forget the lyrics to a song, but another person will fill in. They help and support each other,” she explains. “Participants feel they are not alone but part of a community.”
Shixuan says sharing her passion for music with older adults brings her deep satisfaction.
“I enjoy working with the residents at 2Life. Everyone here is focused on the same goal: to help the people who live here have a better quality of life,” she says. “Music can help.”
Sasha Zlotnikova | A helping hand, guided by compassion
Sasha Zlotnikova understands that even a seemingly small gesture can make an enormous impact on someone else’s life. As Resident Services Coordinator at our Brighton campus, she assists residents with a wide range of needs—from helping them apply for health and nutrition benefits to connecting with home care services to arranging a ride to an appointment. No matter what the need, Sasha goes the extra mile to ensure each person is supported.
A native Russian speaker, Sasha serves as a crucial link for residents of Russian and Ukrainian backgrounds. In one recent instance, she helped a Russian-speaking couple re-establish lapsed health coverage, translating and advocating for them as they navigated a complex bureaucratic maze. “If I can make someone’s life a little bit easier, it just feels good,” she explains.
This is Sasha’s second time working at 2Life. After graduating college, she was an administrative assistant at our Brighton campus before moving on to work in the business world. “There was a lot of career and salary potential for me. But it wasn’t giving me a feeling of accomplishment,” she says. “At 2Life, I feel like I’m making an impact.”
Sasha’s drive to help others extends beyond 2Life. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, she has worked to provide support for those impacted by sending essential items and fundraising. “I want to do what I can to provide even a small amount of relief,” she says.
That compassion for others is a motivating force for Sasha. “To see the change in someone’s eyes when you’ve helped them is so rewarding,” she says. “That’s why I’m here.”
A native Russian speaker, Sasha serves as a crucial link for residents of Russian and Ukrainian backgrounds. In one recent instance, she helped a Russian-speaking couple re-establish lapsed health coverage, translating and advocating for them as they navigated a complex bureaucratic maze. “If I can make someone’s life a little bit easier, it just feels good,” she explains.
This is Sasha’s second time working at 2Life. After graduating college, she was an administrative assistant at our Brighton campus before moving on to work in the business world. “There was a lot of career and salary potential for me. But it wasn’t giving me a feeling of accomplishment,” she says. “At 2Life, I feel like I’m making an impact.”
Sasha’s drive to help others extends beyond 2Life. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, she has worked to provide support for those impacted by sending essential items and fundraising. “I want to do what I can to provide even a small amount of relief,” she says.
That compassion for others is a motivating force for Sasha. “To see the change in someone’s eyes when you’ve helped them is so rewarding,” she says. “That’s why I’m here.”
Bryan Rose | Serving others in ways large and small
Bryan Rose says he likes to keep busy. That’s an understatement. While his title is Content Manager for 2Life’s marketing group, that doesn’t begin to describe all the ways he helps support his colleagues and 2Life residents.
As a team leader, Bryan is always on top of projects, making sure everyone is informed and supported. He takes on a variety of administrative tasks himself, enabling other team members to focus on what they do best. Bryan is always thinking about how something can be done better and how his team can be more impactful.
When something needs doing, Bryan is often one to step up and do it. That could mean directing parking at a 2Life fundraising event or serving meals to residents at a Thanksgiving dinner.
“I like being helpful and making someone else’s day just a bit easier,” Bryan says, noting that this is a theme at 2Life. “Everyone here is supporting each other, sharing their expertise, and making sure things happen on schedule.”
Before joining 2Life in the spring of 2022, Bryan worked in a variety of fields—including a stint in commercial radio. While he looks back on that chapter fondly, Bryan says coming to 2Life has connected him with a mission that really resonates.
“Everyone here wants to make life better for our residents and for people facing housing insecurity. People here drive that mission forward every day,” Bryan says. “That’s been very inspiring for me. 2Life is an amazing place.”
As a team leader, Bryan is always on top of projects, making sure everyone is informed and supported. He takes on a variety of administrative tasks himself, enabling other team members to focus on what they do best. Bryan is always thinking about how something can be done better and how his team can be more impactful.
When something needs doing, Bryan is often one to step up and do it. That could mean directing parking at a 2Life fundraising event or serving meals to residents at a Thanksgiving dinner.
“I like being helpful and making someone else’s day just a bit easier,” Bryan says, noting that this is a theme at 2Life. “Everyone here is supporting each other, sharing their expertise, and making sure things happen on schedule.”
Before joining 2Life in the spring of 2022, Bryan worked in a variety of fields—including a stint in commercial radio. While he looks back on that chapter fondly, Bryan says coming to 2Life has connected him with a mission that really resonates.
“Everyone here wants to make life better for our residents and for people facing housing insecurity. People here drive that mission forward every day,” Bryan says. “That’s been very inspiring for me. 2Life is an amazing place.”
Summer 2023
Keyett Burton-Samuels | Harnessing the transformative power of data
Forging close relationships with 2Life donors to meet our fundraising goals requires sophisticated data analysis. As Annual Fund Database Manager, Keyett Burton-Samuels cuts through the complexity to provide valuable insights.
Keyett’s decades of experience in database management for non-profit organizations make her an invaluable resource for the development team. Soon after joining 2Life in 2021, Keyett undertook a major migration from the team’s former database platform to Salesforce—a complex undertaking that she accomplished without missing a beat.
Chief Development Officer Susan Appelbaum says of Keyett: “She’s the glue, she keeps the machine running.”
With a strategic mindset, Keyett has a talent for generating reports that inform critical decisions to propel 2Life’s ambitious, multi-year fundraising campaign. She sees the big picture, but she also has a keen focus on the day-to-day details. “I’m very meticulous with my reports, making sure everything matches to the penny,” she says.
Keyett views her work as another way to give back. On her own time, she serves as a Baptist minister and choir leader for her church, and volunteers at a local soup kitchen. Plus, she’s busy raising three boys. “I’m the queen of time management,” she says.
Working at 2Life is a family tradition for Keyett—her husband, Arthur Samuels, is a Construction Project Manager here. “I love the 2Life mission. I told Arthur I need to be part of that. It’s like one big family.”
Keyett’s decades of experience in database management for non-profit organizations make her an invaluable resource for the development team. Soon after joining 2Life in 2021, Keyett undertook a major migration from the team’s former database platform to Salesforce—a complex undertaking that she accomplished without missing a beat.
Chief Development Officer Susan Appelbaum says of Keyett: “She’s the glue, she keeps the machine running.”
With a strategic mindset, Keyett has a talent for generating reports that inform critical decisions to propel 2Life’s ambitious, multi-year fundraising campaign. She sees the big picture, but she also has a keen focus on the day-to-day details. “I’m very meticulous with my reports, making sure everything matches to the penny,” she says.
Keyett views her work as another way to give back. On her own time, she serves as a Baptist minister and choir leader for her church, and volunteers at a local soup kitchen. Plus, she’s busy raising three boys. “I’m the queen of time management,” she says.
Working at 2Life is a family tradition for Keyett—her husband, Arthur Samuels, is a Construction Project Manager here. “I love the 2Life mission. I told Arthur I need to be part of that. It’s like one big family.”
David Fritchey | Cooking with kindness to nourish community
David Fritchey views food as an essential ingredient in community. As Chef Manager at Shillman House, he works hard to create a dining experience that nourishes both body and soul.
When David came to 2Life in 2018, he set his sights on elevating the cuisine, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and an avoidance of frozen and premade foods. Mindful of kosher practices, he also keeps pork and shellfish off the menu.
“I try to get the most from the ingredients. My goal is to get away from the institutional mode and closer to what you would get in a restaurant,” David explains, noting that this requires a creative approach to vendor selection to get the best quality ingredients at the best price.
Nutritious food is just part of the equation—David also strives to create an environment that brings people together. “The social aspect of dining is an important part of creating community. It helps residents feel part of a family. This is their home,” he says.
That philosophy extends to the workplace he manages. While a commercial kitchen can be a hectic, pressure-filled work environment, David strives to run a “kind kitchen,” emphasizing calm professionalism. “I want our residents to be happy and I want my staff to be happy. Everyone cooperates to support the residents’ wellbeing.”
While David has decades of experience as an executive chef in restaurant settings, he says coming to 2Life has been a revelation. “This has been the most rewarding job of my career because of the residents,” he says. “I adore the people at Shillman House.”
When David came to 2Life in 2018, he set his sights on elevating the cuisine, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and an avoidance of frozen and premade foods. Mindful of kosher practices, he also keeps pork and shellfish off the menu.
“I try to get the most from the ingredients. My goal is to get away from the institutional mode and closer to what you would get in a restaurant,” David explains, noting that this requires a creative approach to vendor selection to get the best quality ingredients at the best price.
Nutritious food is just part of the equation—David also strives to create an environment that brings people together. “The social aspect of dining is an important part of creating community. It helps residents feel part of a family. This is their home,” he says.
That philosophy extends to the workplace he manages. While a commercial kitchen can be a hectic, pressure-filled work environment, David strives to run a “kind kitchen,” emphasizing calm professionalism. “I want our residents to be happy and I want my staff to be happy. Everyone cooperates to support the residents’ wellbeing.”
While David has decades of experience as an executive chef in restaurant settings, he says coming to 2Life has been a revelation. “This has been the most rewarding job of my career because of the residents,” he says. “I adore the people at Shillman House.”
Lauren Hathaway | Inspiring enthusiasm for Opus Newton
2Life’s Opus middle-market community in Newton has proven amazingly popular—and it’s still in the early stages of construction. Opus Marketing Manager Lauren Hathaway has played a central role in that success.
Promoting Opus comes naturally for Lauren. “The concept of living in community at the heart of Opus is something I really believe in,” she says.
Driven by that belief, Lauren does it all—from processing applications and communicating with prospective residents to coordinating with the Opus communications team and outside ad agency. To help Opus depositors stay connected, Lauren helped establish a private social media platform providing an online space for communicating updates and encouraging interaction among future residents.
Lauren’s talent for event planning has proven invaluable. When an initial set of informational meetings for prospective Opus depositors filled up quickly, Lauren swung into action, organizing a total of 16 such events. She also took the lead in organizing larger-scale events, including cocktail parties for up to 200 attendees.
Wearing many hats can get hectic, but Lauren maintains a sense of calm confidence, tempered with a dry sense of humor. “I think humor is a great way to bring people together, whether it be co-workers or future residents,” she says.
Sharon Brooks, Head of Opus Sales and Marketing, says Lauren has grown to be a true leader. “She is supportive, pragmatic and so much fun to work with. She helps the whole team move forward with confidence.”
2Life colleague Bryan Rose put it this way: “Lauren is the engine that keeps Opus Newton running.”
Promoting Opus comes naturally for Lauren. “The concept of living in community at the heart of Opus is something I really believe in,” she says.
Driven by that belief, Lauren does it all—from processing applications and communicating with prospective residents to coordinating with the Opus communications team and outside ad agency. To help Opus depositors stay connected, Lauren helped establish a private social media platform providing an online space for communicating updates and encouraging interaction among future residents.
Lauren’s talent for event planning has proven invaluable. When an initial set of informational meetings for prospective Opus depositors filled up quickly, Lauren swung into action, organizing a total of 16 such events. She also took the lead in organizing larger-scale events, including cocktail parties for up to 200 attendees.
Wearing many hats can get hectic, but Lauren maintains a sense of calm confidence, tempered with a dry sense of humor. “I think humor is a great way to bring people together, whether it be co-workers or future residents,” she says.
Sharon Brooks, Head of Opus Sales and Marketing, says Lauren has grown to be a true leader. “She is supportive, pragmatic and so much fun to work with. She helps the whole team move forward with confidence.”
2Life colleague Bryan Rose put it this way: “Lauren is the engine that keeps Opus Newton running.”