The Eskaton team showed up in full force at the 2025 BOLD Conference, hosted by LeadingAge California. As an organization that deeply values opportunities to connect with and learn from industry peers, it was a powerful reminder to step back, take a 60,000-foot view of our work, and identify ways Eskaton can improve. Several Eskaton team members shined throughout the event.
Maria Roldan, Assistant Executive Director of Eskaton Jefferson Manor, was part of the 2025 EMERGE Leadership Development graduating class, a year-long, small-group leadership program with customized learning experiences that include site visits, reading assignments, group exercises, and class activities that explore different leadership styles.
“One takeaway I’ve already started using at work is slowing down to listen more carefully and lead more thoughtfully. I want to be the kind of leader who brings people together and helps create a positive team-centered environment.”
-Maria Roldan
Catherine Graham, former Corporate Educator and current Life Enrichment Director of Eskaton Village Carmicahel, and Therese ten Brinke, Executive Director of Innovation & Impact, presented on behalf of the Eskaton Academy in a session called Revamping Organizational Internal Education. This session highlighted the creation of Eskaton Academy for our team to not only get the required DSS trainings, but to also build and reinforce our culture of personalized care.
“I was honored to represent the Eskaton Academy. It meant a lot to me as I truly loved being a trainer for our Academy. There were great sessions that I attended at BOLD that inspired me to look deeper into how my team can better support our residents. One in particular was about AI support and how life in our communities might look years from now. In the words of Jan (one of our residents here at EVC) “My cell phone helps me, my computer helps me, and the GPS in my car helps me – I want to see what AI can do!” Our residents want to learn more about AI and its capabilities, and I see great potential in it with regards to living independently longer.”
-Catherine Graham
Therese ten Brinke went on to a second session, speaking on a panel called Leveraging AI and Technology to Drive Community Satisfaction. This session examined real-world examples — like tailored wellness programs, smart home tech, and AI reporting—that are streamlining senior care through reduced redundancies and greater efficiency.
The highlight of the conference was witnessing Tanny Iskandar, a Wellness Nurse from Eskaton Village Carmichael, being publicly recognized on stage by LeadingAge, who presented an impactful piece highlighting a day in her life.
Our hope for each Eskaton team member is simple; to seek opportunities to grow within their unique zone of genius. When we lean into our strengths, we don’t just elevate ourselves, we lift up the entire organization and the world around us.