Discovery Senior Living Leadership

Chief Executive Officer

Richard J. Hutchinson

Mr. Hutchinson is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Discovery Senior Living; a family of companies which include: Discovery Management Group, Discovery Development Group, Discovery Design Concepts, Discovery Marketing Group, TerraBella and Morada Divisions, and Discovery At Home, a Medicare-certified home healthcare company.

During his almost 30-year career, he has negotiated and closed more than $5 billion in equity and debt transactions, while establishing relationships with many of the industries’ key financiers, investors and operators.

Through Mr. Hutchinson’s leadership, the family of companies has achieved significant growth; more than tripling in size over the last five years and ranking amongst the top 10 operators in the country. His vision of developing a business culture of innovation, integrity and creativity, while being analytically driven, has pushed the company to the leading edge of the industry, redefining seniors housing along the way. The companies have been recognized for their exceptionalism and ingenuity and have received accolades and awards from numerous national organizations.

As an industry leader in seniors housing, Discovery Senior Living currently operates both National Brands and Regionals brands across the United States primarily throughout the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and Southern United States. The company has expanded to include an array of living options which include: senior apartments, independent living in both multi-apartment and villa environments, supervised independent living, personal care, assisted living and memory care. The successful and diverse rental portfolio features large luxury, resort-style campuses, state-of-the-art care communities, smaller village- inspired wellness and care communities and secured memory care neighborhoods.

He is actively involved in the following associations: Executive Board Member of the American Seniors Housing Association; Chairman of The Seniors Housing Political Action Committee; Member of the American Seniors Housing Association Strategic Planning Committee; The Florida Council of 100; Endicott College Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Academic Affair Committee, Member of the Compensation Committee; Chair of the Hutchinson Family Sports Foundation and a Member of the ALOIS Society of the Alzheimer’s Association

Mr. Hutchinson is married with two sons and served in the U.S. Army from 1986 to 1994 including a tour during Desert Storm. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from St. Leo College earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and is a former Certified Public Accountant.

Chief Operating Officer

Bill Sciortino

As Chief Operating Officer for Discovery Senior Living, Bill leads the corporate and regional teams who deliver the service, care, and enriching experiences that make up resident life in any of Discovery’s brands. Since joining the company in 2019, he is focused on attracting leaders and building the culture that will satisfy our residents, inspire our team members, and ensure maximum value for our capital partners.

Now in his 20th year in the industry, Bill works with his peers on Discovery’s Senior Team as they push the organization’s growth forward while meeting challenges like workforce management, aging assets, regulatory compliance, financing…and a once-in-a-century pandemic. His two decades include 18 years with Chicago-based Vi where he was that organization’s first Chief Information Officer before expanding his reach to lead traditional operations plus sales and marketing for their full continuum, luxury life plan communities.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Bill graduated magna cum laude from Hiram College with a degree in Business Management. His career started in paper sales before moving to the construction industry where he implemented cost accounting and estimating systems. That work led him to Chicago and a consulting position with Ernst & Young’s real estate technology practice. A CIO role for a multi-state contractor was his last stop before jumping to seniors housing.

Bill connects with the larger senior living industry through his work with the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA) and Argentum.

Chief Financial Officer

Thomas J. Costello

Mr. Costello is the Chief Financial Officer for Discovery Senior Living. He previously held the position of Senior Vice President of Finance, Accounting and Information Technology and managed the treasury and IT operations for over a decade. In that role his responsibilities included managing cash flow, short- and long-term planning, financial analysis and reporting, as well as risk management. Additionally, he was responsible for constructing the pro forma financial models for all new projects and he worked closely with the CFO on all major financing transactions.

Mr. Costello brings a wide range of experience to Discovery beyond debits and credits. He began his career in Boston in the property & casualty insurance industry where he gained proficiency in many of the nuances of risk management. In 1994 he relocated to Tampa, Florida, where he went to work for Price Waterhouse providing research and analysis to the firm’s management. It was also at Price Waterhouse where Mr. Costello began building complex financial models and database applications. These solved many of the firm’s logistical problems.

Additionally, Mr. Costello has worked as a consultant with companies such as the New York Times, Inc. to streamline efficiencies in finance and accounting operations through rigorous workflow analysis and identifying and implementing best practices.

In 2000 Mr. Costello joined Discovery’s predecessor, Aston Care Systems, Inc. while the Aston Gardens portfolio was in development. Mr. Costello managed the cash flows and cost reporting for the last four projects Aston developed. He also developed the pro-forma models for each of the projects, which planned the projects from land acquisition, development, fill-up, stabilized operations and, ultimately, to sale.

Mr. Costello graduated from Bentley College with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Fraternity. He lives in Land O Lakes, Florida, and when he is not spending time with his wife and two children he is active in Tampa’s live music scene playing bass and guitar.

Senior Vice President of Marketing and Product Development

Diana Ferrante Thies

Ms. Thies has a diverse marketing background ranging across a number of different industries, including banking, corporate products and consumer retail products. After leaving her home state of New York and moving to Florida, Ms. Thies entered seniors housing. She joined the company in 2001, where she was responsible for the leadership, strategic direction and new initiatives of Discovery Senior Living and its affiliated entities’ marketing and sales, as well as corporate and community branding, and increasing revenue and occupancy growth and overall census; ensuring all remain consistent with the company’s vision; while holding the position of Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales.

In 2022, she became Senior Vice President of Marketing and Product Development. She continues to serve the industry with cutting-edge marketing, while developing creative marketing and operational programs, innovative community clubhouses and apartments spaces and exceptional resident experiences for the company’s newest product line called Choreograph; a collection of destination, resort-style 55+ living communities. These creative marketing strategies and innovative ideas have propelled Discovery Senior Living to become a leader in the industry.

Ms. Thies graduated Cum Laude from Pace University, Lubin School of Business and holds a B.B.A. in Marketing with a minor in Advertising and Promotion. While at Pace, she was a member of Alpha Chi Honor Society. Ms. Thies is a co-founder and Vice President of Guardians of Florida Animal Rescue, a non-profit animal rescue organization. When she isn’t boating or enjoying the outdoors with her husband and her dogs, she can be found rescuing animals, volunteering and fighting for animal rights.

Senior Vice President of Human Resources

Lisa Lacy

Lisa Lacy has more than twenty years’ experience in human resources, with the majority specifically in the senior living industry. Lisa has a bachelor’s degree and has completed her certification in Human Resource related law. She is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and has obtained the credentials as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

Senior Vice President of Sales

Lou Maranto

Lou Maranto is the Senior Vice President of Sales for Discovery Senior Living and its affiliated brands. He is directly responsible for sales strategies and leadership across both Discovery’s National Brands and Regional Brands, which operate throughout the United States. He also provides leadership support for Discovery’s operational divisions; Morada and TerraBella. Lou joined Discovery Senior Living in 2018 and during that time the company experienced unprecedented growth; more than doubling its unit count and number of communities.

He was also instrumental in the design, creation and implementation of an in-house Sales Contact Center, which launched in 2021. Lou’s leadership lead the sales department to full occupancy recovery; reached in June 2021 from February 2020 pre-pandemic levels; a feat very few senior living operators were able to achieve within that timing.

Prior to joining Discovery, Lou’s 10 years in the senior living industry were spent in various sales leadership positions with Erickson Senior Living including Sales Director, Director of Sales Education and Talent Development and Senior Director, Sales Operations. He developed a multitude of sales best practices and customer-focused programs, while designing and delivering sales education and leadership development programs.

Lou graduated from Towson University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and earned his M.B.A. from Loyola University of Maryland. He also was awarded a Post-Baccalaureate Certification in Instructional Systems Development.

General Counsel

Tim Cesar

Timothy Cesar is a prominent healthcare law specialist and popular presenter at national healthcare seminars. In his current role as General Counsel, he manages legal and regulatory issues, licensing, employment and contract law, corporate compliance and other, key responsibilities for the Discovery Senior Living organization and its multi-brand portfolio of current and upcoming communities.

Prior to joining Discovery Senior Living, Cesar served as Vice President of Legal at Brookdale Senior Living, where he held multiple roles throughout a 20-year tenure. There, he was responsible for the creation of a legal department and risk management best practice programs, all while managing the company’s litigation and claims.

Mr. Cesar received his law degree and M.B.A. from Marquette University, graduating with several honors. He received his undergraduate degree magna cum laude from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. Additionally, he holds an Associates in Risk Management designation.

Prior to working at Brookdale, Cesar was a member of the healthcare and litigation teams at one of the oldest law firms in the state of Wisconsin. He has also taught both undergraduate and graduate courses in negotiation at Marquette University School of Management.

In his free time, he and his wife enjoy leading active lifestyles, traveling and spending time with their dog.

Chief Accounting Officer

Paul Rozelle

Paul Rozelle joined Discovery Senior Living as its Chief Accounting Officer, with responsibility for all financial accounting, reporting and analysis, as well as its centralized billing and payable functions, for Discovery’s Communities, with its multiple Capital Partners and for its Corporate entities.  Paul has 20 years of Real Estate finance, accounting and operations experience, spanning most Real Estate sectors, including Residential (Multifamily and Single-Family Rental). Commercial (Office, Industrial/Logistics, Retail and Self-Storage), Commercial Mortgages and now Senior Living.

Prior to joining Discovery, Paul was Senior Vice President of Accounting & Finance at Bridge Homes, a Single-Family Rental Asset Management and Property Management firm launched in November 2016 and now managing > 4,600 properties across 13 Markets in 11 States.  Paul was responsible for Client Accounting for 2 large, sophisticated investment firms, delivering timely and accurate financial reporting for 9 Funds, for Lease Accounting, ensuring Resident Ledger integrity throughout the Lease lifecycle, and for its Corporate Accounting and Budgeting and Forecasting.  Prior to Bridge, Paul invested 11 years in developing and optimizing the Commercial Real Estate and Multifamily platform for Nuveen Real Estate’s >$100 Billion global Real Estate portfolio as Managing Director – Head of Financial Operations, Global Real Estate and Alternative Investments.  In this role Paul led the transformation of Nuveen’s Real Estate systems and processes, including creation of industry-first Property Management and Data Governance programs that transformed the Owner-Property Manager relationship while producing $250 Million of incremental Total Returns for investors.  Before shifting his career focus to Real Estate as Vice President – Controller of publicly-traded Multifamily REIT Summit Properties (acquired by Camden Property Trust – NYSE: CPT), Paul began his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers and then moved to the semiconductor industry in Controllership and FP&A roles with Photronics, growing revenues from $30 million to >$400 million to become the world’s 3rd largest Photomask manufacturer.

In the highly competitive Real Estate industry it is essential that the Real Estate professional doesn’t just meet the needs of its Capital Partners…instead they must “Make Their Day” and continuously improve.  To instill this drive in his team, beginning with his teams at Nuveen and continuing today, Paul passionately embraces, lives and evangelizes the FISH! Philosophy:  Choose Your Attitude, Be There, Make Their Day…and Play!

Senior Vice President of Operations

Gottfried Ernst

Gottfried Ernst is an established operations executive with 20+ years of experience within the hospitality and senior living industries. He’s a multiple award winner best known for shaping the strategies, processes, and programs behind highly efficient and customer-focused communities.

Ernst joined the Discovery Senior Living organization in 2021 as Vice President of Support Services, bringing a broad skill set across key functional areas including Food and Beverage, resident experience and wellness, facilities management, resource allocation and more. He’s also a proven innovator with a reputation for designing cutting-edge programs that enhance the prospect and resident experience. Leveraging his expert knowledge and prior experience, he navigated critical operations challenges, including technology and systems integrations, local, state and federal regulatory compliance, budgeting and forecasting and managing operating costs.

In 2023, Ernst was promoted to Senior Vice President of Operations, expanding his role to oversee the day-to-day Operations leadership team, asset management functions as well as support services such as culinary, clinical, memory care functions and administration.

After obtaining his degree in Hospitality Management and Tourism from HLT Semmering in his native Austria, Gottfried worked in management roles at several 4- and 5-star hotels in Austria, Switzerland, and the UK. He began his senior housing industry career with Brookdale Senior Living. There, over a 15-year tenure, he held multiple leadership positions and ultimately became the company’s Vice President overseeing all aspects of Food and Beverage operations for more than 600 locations. He later served as Vice President at Harbor Retirement Associates and Vice President of Hospitality for True Connection Communities.

Well-traveled and multi-talented, Gottfried partook in several overseas bartending competitions and was the winner of “Goldenes Reindl,” a national cooking competition held in Vienna, Austria. He is an impassioned food and wine enthusiast as well as an avid tennis player and skier who in his leisure time enjoys domestic and international travel, hiking, kayaking and living an active lifestyle.

President,
Discovery Development Group
& Discovery Design Concepts

Akash Gaur

As the President of Discovery Development Group and Discovery Design Concepts, Akash leads the in-house development, construction and design division of the Discovery Senior Living organization. He is an established real estate development executive with more than 20 years of experience directing from prospect to building closeout and activation a wide range of commercial, mixed-use and hospitality projects on behalf of prominent development groups.

Prior to joining the Discovery organization, Akash served as Director of Development for Legacy Ventures, a role which saw him serve as project executive for multiple, large-scale builds under concurrent development. He also managed the company’s inter-disciplinary design and construction department.

Earlier in his professional career, he worked as an architect before becoming Senior Design Manager at Perkins + Will, a position he held for more than 12 years. He joined Cortland Partners as a Director of Development in 2013, bringing strong leadership and innovation to functional areas including pre- planning and analysis, entitlements and permitting, financial modeling and project management. He also built the company’s first Virtual Design & Construction Team.

In his current role with Discovery, Akash’s experience with different building types and talent for facilitating creative building solutions to projects with complex programmatic needs, site requirements and financial structures is crucial for continually advancing new construction and remodeling initiatives which span our multi-brand, national and regional community portfolio each year.

Well-versed in project management, analytics, cost control and financial analysis, Akash earned a Bachelor of Architecture in his native India before completing his Masters of Architecture at the University of Florida and MBA studies at Emory University in Atlanta. He holds multiple, professional certifications, is a Registered Architect, member of the American Institute of Architects, and is LEED- accredited by the US Green Building Council.

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, LAKEHOUSE SENIOR LIVING

Brad Poterack

VP of Asset Management
& Investor Relations

Adam Wrubel

Adam Wrubel is the Vice President of Asset Management & Investor Relations. Adam oversees the organization’s capital partner relations, operational system management, business office, business optimization, environmental/maintenance, capital expense planning and analysis, FP&A, and purchasing functions.

Beginning his career in real estate development and project controls, Adam joined New York City’s Economic Development Corporation before moving to a development role with Barnard College/Columbia University. He began his time in the senior living industry with Watermark Retirement Communities, where he started as an Acquisitions & Development Analyst and advanced to Senior Analyst, before progressing to a director-level asset management role. With Watermark, Adam managed investor relations for several primary ownership groups. He also worked with the CIO and operational leadership on asset value creation, market research, acquisition and development underwriting, financial reporting, community labor performance, business efficiency modeling, capital partner reporting, and operations budgeting.

Adam holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Connecticut, a Master of Science in Real Estate from the University of San Diego, and an Advanced Project Management Certification from NYU. He also holds REFM certification for Excel-based real estate financial modeling, LEED Green Associate status, and E-Builder certifications for Advanced Cost Management & Dashboard Reporting.  Outside of work, he is an avid traveler, reader, cyclist, and home chef, and he dabbles in both surfing and scuba diving. Adam lives in the New York City area with his two dogs, Jack & Rose.

Regional Vice President,
Discovery Select National Brand

Erin Miller

Erin Miller brings over 20 years of experienced leadership in the senior living industry to her role as Regional Vice President, Portfolio Manager. Having held positions in business development, operations, management, sales and strategic marketing, she utilizes quantitative and qualitative research methods and critical thinking and analysis to develop brand awareness, create efficiencies and cost savings, increase revenue streams, and provide strategic and tactical support to Discovery communities.

Erin recently worked as Vice President of Sales for a prominent, luxury senior living provider, a role in which she focused sales efforts in order to grow census and revenue, and cultivate a 15% occupancy gain.

Best described as a decisive decision maker, Erin creates revenue- and resident-focused programs for changing markets, all while fostering an inclusive environment that values the diverse, multicultural and multigenerational nature of the senior living industry and workforce.

Erin holds a Masters of Arts in Multicultural/Organizational Communication and Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from DePaul University, where she has also served as an Adjunct Professor for that institution’s College of Communications.

She participated with the RafiKi Collaborative in Kenya as an Educator/Evaluator for an HIV/AIDS capacity building workshop. She also served as a Peer Mentor for DePaul University: International Students and as a volunteer leader for Ready, Set, Ride providing equine therapy for special needs children.

NATIONAL BRAND MANAGER,
DISCOVERY VILLAGE NATIONAL BRAND

Cindy Crowley

Inspired by close, personal relationships with her own grandmothers, Cindy Crowley attended Penn State University, where she studied Health Care Administration before embarking upon a 30+ year career focused on serving seniors and their families.

She spent 14 years working for Marriott Senior Living Services as well as other, prominent senior living providers, and worked to open state-of-the-art Assisted Living and Memory Care communities in Florida, Atlanta, Louisiana and Texas.

Having served multiple roles including Executive Director, Operations Development Director, Vice President of Sales and Regional Vice President of Operations and Sales, Cindy brings a diverse and extensive skill set to the Discovery Senior Living organization and its growing community portfolio. A passionate and high-energy sales coach and developer, she works alongside communities and Senior Lifestyle Counselors throughout the Florida region in an effort to make upscale, amenity-rich senior living openly available to the growing senior population.

Cindy proudly resides in Tampa’s beautiful Westchase community with her husband, John, and several four-legged family members. The couple also have a daughter, Mackenzie, who recently graduated with honors from the University of Florida. Outside of work, Cindy enjoys spending time outdoors, enjoying the pool and walking the neighborhood with their 11-year-old Chihuahua, Gizmo.

NATIONAL BRAND MANAGER,
DISCOVERY SELECT NATIONAL BRAND

Nicole Gasaway

Nicole Gasaway began her journey in senior living as a Home Health Aide while attending college. And throughout the 20 years that followed, she’s held a variety of additional titles, having worked in skilled nursing, admissions, marketing, and sales leadership capacities before being appointed Regional Vice President of Operations.

From planning and executing mergers and acquisitions to redeveloping and converting senior apartment complexes to independent living, Nicole has been integral in bringing quality senior living to discerning seniors across multiple states and locales.

Nicole graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Texas A&M University in College Station, and later received an MBA from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Nicole is also a Certified Dementia Practitioner and was honored as Volunteer of the Year from the Alzheimer’s Association in San Antonio and South Texas in 2014.

When away from work, you’ll find Nicole spending time with her husband and their two daughters. Never one to waste a moment of precious family time, she thoroughly enjoys exploring the country with her troupe, indulging in exotic dishes and making memories at every opportunity.

Regional Vice President,
Seaton Regional Brand

Joseph Cassiba

Joseph has dedicated his entire 26-year career to serving seniors.   He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Health Care Administration from the University of South Florida with a focus in gerontology and psychology.  He began his career in senior housing serving as a therapy aide in a nursing home at the age of 20.  It was here that he discovered the tremendous positive impact those serving seniors make and developed a passion for the industry.  He became an administrator of nursing homes and then transitioned to working at retirement communities as an Executive Director. After 13 years as an executive director with Brookdale and Allegro, Joseph then became the Director of Operations for Hawthorne overseeing all Florida properties for almost 5 years.  Most recently, Joseph served as the Chief Operating Officer for Mainstay Senior Living, where he provided operational oversight and strategic vision for 27 communities in 5 states. His extensive experience over 26 years in various operational roles has prepared him well for the RVP role at Discovery.

In addition to his senior living career, Joseph has served on the board of multiple professional associations–Florida Assisted Living Association, Florida Health Care Association and Florida Senior Living Association. He has also served his local community by providing individuals with personal financial management training and coaching.

Joseph has been married for 27 years to his wife, Vanessa, and they have 3 children. They love spending time as a family going to the beach, hiking and serving in their local church.

Regional Director of Operations,
Discovery Commons National Brand

Marisa Crockett

Marisa Crockett has been in senior living for almost two decades. She began her career as a Registered Nurse and has multifaceted experience in clinical management, operations, and sales. She has held regional roles in both operations and sales for more than 15 years, overseeing multi-community portfolios.

Regional Director of Operations,
SummerHouse Regional Brand

Richard Totorico

Richard has more than 25 years of healthcare administration experience working in acute care, community-based, and senior living settings. He served as an Analyst, Human Resource Director, Administrative Director 5, and Deputy Executive Director with various Louisiana State Agencies, including the Louisiana Health Care Authority, LSU Medical Center, Medical Center of New Orleans, University Hospital and the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. He received his Bachelors of Science in Management with a concentration in Human Resources from the University of New Orleans where he was a Board Member of Alpha Theta Epsilon Honor Society and was elected to the Student Government Association as a member of the House of Representatives. He received his MBA from South Eastern State University. He holds or has held a certification as a Level 4 Assisted Living Administrator, Certified Public Manager, Professional of Human Resources, and has served on the Boards of the Louisiana State Personnel Council, The New Orleans Compensation Association, the Department of Health and Hospital Hurricane Task Force, and the Greater New Orleans Society of Human Resource Professionals.

Richard served as the Executive Director of The Trace for six years before being promoted to Regional Director of Operations with Discovery. Richard prides himself on his accessibility to residents, their families and the community on matters of senior care and advocacy.

Richard is a veteran of the armed forces and as a Sergeant in the United States Air Force he received the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal for his work as an F-15 Crew Chief.

Regional Director of Operations,
Discovery Select National Brand

Cody Tower

CORPORATE DIRECTOR OF TRANSITIONS

Colin Marshall

Colin has worked in the Senior Living Sales and Marketing Industry for the past 15+ years in several different demographics.

CORPORATE DIRECTOR OF CULINARY SERVICES

Laureen Herzig

Assistant Vice President of Sales

Brennan Hughes

As Assistant Vice President of Sales for Discovery Senior Living and its affiliated entities, Brennan Hughes helps empower nationwide and targeted, regional sales efforts across the company’s multi-branded portfolio of communities and beyond.

Hughes began her current role with Discovery Senior Living in October 2021, and in the 15 years prior, held multiple sales and operations leadership roles with premier senior living provider organizations including Brookdale, Horizon Bay, and Emeritus. She also served as Senior National Account Director and Vice President of Partner Success for Caring.com for five years (2014-2019).

With Discovery, Hughes applies her breadth of experience and forward-thinking mindset to nurture and further advance a centralized sales culture that’s at the leading edge of the seniors housing industry. Her responsibilities also include analyzing and refining sales best practices, helping develop and implement customer incentive and team member training programs, and launching initiatives designed to build census and meet occupancy goals at the community, brand portfolio, regional and national levels.

Hughes holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Albion College (1994) and a Masters from Western Michigan University (1996). Now residing in Florida, she is a proud mother of three children, Hutch, Deegan and Havi.

Sr. Regional Director of Sales,
Rittenhouse Village Regional Brand

Julie Thompson

Julie Thompson is an impassioned team builder and decorated sales leader whose 20 years of broader healthcare industry experience span sectors including senior living, home health and hospice care, and diagnostic testing. In her current role as Divisional Sales Director for the TerraBella Senior Living regional brand, she oversees Sales and Marketing departmental efforts to build census and achieve occupancy goals, as well as promotes educational and developmental programs for team members.

Julie brings more than 12 years of sales management experience to the TerraBella Senior Living organization, having achieved substantial growth in occupancy and revenue across the US South and Midwest regions while working as Regional Director of Sales with TerraBella Senior Living parent company, Discovery Senior Living, for a three-year period beginning in 2018.

A native of South Georgia, Julie is a proud graduate of Georgia Southern University, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations in 2001. Julie prides herself on strategic planning and driving results through creativity and collaboration alongside Senior Lifestyle Counselors and Executive Directors.

Outside of working hours, Julie enjoys spending time with her husband of 20 years, Brad, and the couple’s two children, Kinsleigh and Kaden.

REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF SALES,
DISCOVERY SELECT NATIONAL BRAND

Michelle Howard

Regional Director of Sales, Discovery Commons National Brand

Christian Steil

Christian has worked in the Senior Living Industry for the past 20+ years in sales and business development. He began his career in senior living as a sales associate, promoted to a sales director and promoted to various regional and divisional leadership roles. He has expansive experience with multi-site management, new construction, acquisitions and mergers, establishing culture, growing sales talent and strategic sales.

Christian residents in the Greater Tampa Area where he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children.

Regional Director of Sales,
Discovery Select Brand

Jerry Alan

REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF SALES,
DISCOVERY VILLAGE NATIONAL BRAND

Jamie Walker

Regional Director of Sales,
Seaton Regional Brand

Tisha Hahn

Tisha has worked in the Senior Living Sales and Marketing Industry for the past 15+ years in several different demographics. Tisha began her career as a Sales Director, promoted to a Selling Specialist Role and promoted to Regional Sales Director roles. Tisha has extensive experience in multi-site sales management, training and development, growing sales teams and growing occupancy. Tisha resides in Virginia where she enjoys spending time with her husband, family, friends and four dogs. Tisha also enjoys gardening, traveling, yoga and pilates.

Vice President of Marketing

Heidi M. LaVanway

Heidi is the Vice President of Marketing for Discovery Senior Living. An experienced corporate strategist and implementer, Heidi has been developing marketing, sales and creative strategies for highly matrixed healthcare, real estate, tech enterprises and nonprofit organizations for over twenty years.

After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Michigan State University, she served large-scale, Chicago-based healthcare entities, leading the development and execution of traditional and digital marketing programs, branding and communications initiatives, creative, design and content production, as well as user experience and other key strategic functions.

Heidi is actively involved in the Inaugural American Seniors Housing Association’s Sales & Marketing Committee that launched in 2021, and a former Argentum Sales and Marketing Executive Roundtable member. She is a graduate of Argentum’s inaugural LEAD Program, a Certified Direct Marketing Professional, and multiple national award winner for outstanding media and specialized print publications. Her combined senior living, healthcare and real estate industry experience, and ability to leverage data-driven analysis and modern marketing technologies has empowered high-performance lead generation success and supported the continuing expansion of Discovery Senior Living’s vast portfolio.

Heidi is a proud volunteer and contributor to multiple charitable and healthcare organizations. She enjoys traveling, spending time with family in the Midwest and Rocky Mountains, downhill skiing and outdoor activities. She resides in Florida with her husband and son.

Director of Digital Marketing

Cassandra Engeldinger

Cassandra is the Director of Marketing for Discovery Senior Living and an experienced leader in digital marketing, marketing communications, and campaign execution. With over 20 years as an ambitious and highly-strategic marketing professional with an entrepreneurial spirit, Cassandra has applied her creativity and innovative marketing skills across several industries with a focus on real estate technology and most recently health care.

Early on in her career, Cassandra was recognized by Gulf Shore Business Magazine as one of Southwest Florida’s 40 under 40 top Professionals for starting her own successful digital marketing agency at just 23 years old. The agency targeted real estate brokerages and their agents and focused on marketing strategies for lead generation and management. In 2010, Cassandra shifted her efforts toward health care and has spent the last 10 years building global marketing and communication campaigns for a large medical device company.

Cassandra has a proven track record of expertise in all verticals within marketing communications including print, marketing automation, email, social, SMS/MMS, web, SEO/SEM, customer journeys, content marketing, audience building, lead acquisition and data analytics.

After having grown up in Janesville, WI, Cassandra received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at The Ohio State University. She moved to Southwest Florida shortly thereafter in 1998. An avid animal lover, she spent three years on the Board of Directors for the Animal Refuge Center in Fort Myers, FL. She is a passionate artist, having painted several murals locally in addition to pottery. She has one son and on weekends you can find her enjoying her time in the sun by the beach, lake, or pool – you may even catch her paddle boarding or wakeboarding when she gets the chance!

Brand Strategist, National Brands

Michael Sansone

Brand Strategist, Regional Brands

Marissa Sharma

Director of Interior Design

Donna Boniello

Donna Boniello is an accomplished design expert with more than 25 years’ experience in residential kitchens and baths, multifamily communities and amenities, and project management service to large-scale and custom home builders. A graduate of Pace University in New York, she began her career in the New York tri-state area before serving a 12-year tenure with nationally renowned Spectrum/Skanska and WCI Communities when it entered the Northeast market.

Now with Discovery Senior Living, her scope includes the full conceptualization and execution of new construction and large-scale renovation projects throughout Discovery-owned communities across the country. Donna heads up the multiple design teams tasked with intermingling current and emerging aesthetics while also preserving architectural and regional design character, maximizing functional space across residences and common areas, and providing warmth and home-like comfort and convenience for discerning, upscale seniors.

A relatively recent Florida transplant, she enjoys the active, outdoor lifestyle including health and fitness, yoga, the beach, and hosting friends and family.