Discover Kendal

09/04/2026

Finance leaders from across the Kendal System came together this summer for our annual CFO Gathering, hosted at Kendal at Lexington.

The days covered a lot of ground: strategic direction from CEO Vassar Byrd, data analytics, procurement, and the investment and capital markets landscape. A full day was dedicated to hands-on AI training, and an afternoon focused on the Radical Candor framework, a skill set that matters just as much for a CFO as any technical topic.

Hosting at Kendal at Lexington gave the group a chance to tour the community and honor Felicia Bush, who is retiring after years of dedicated service as the community's CFO.

One of the best parts of the Gathering is simple: time together. The Affiliate CFO role can be a solitary one, often without an internal peer who understands the full weight of the job. A few days of shared context, candid conversation, and relationship building makes the rest of the year easier for everyone involved.

Grateful for this peer group and the knowledge they share across the Kendal System.

09/03/2026

The TKC Board of Directors recently gathered at Kendal at Oberlin for an in-person Board meeting, along with time to tour the community and meet with residents and team members.

Among discussions on the aging services landscape and growth opportunities for Kendal Affiliates, with Varsity Marketing and TKC Senior Director of Marketing Morgan Lamphere, TKC Chief Growth Officer Max Ault previewed research and philanthropy opportunities in the emerging area of brain health and wellness.

It's inspiring to see the depth of perspective offered by the Kendal Board. The best boards look forward, not just back, and while reviewing what's already happened matters, real value comes when a board also helps shape what's next. It's a true opportunity to have a Board that shows up as a generative partner in that way.

That spirit carried into time spent with Kendal at Oberlin residents, whose engagement and perspective adds depth to the conversation, a reminder that community members aren't just part of the visit, they're part of shaping Kendal's future too.

08/28/2026

Great hires start with shared purpose.

When Brenda Mahan joined Kendal this year as our Creative Marketing Strategist, she brought more than craft and strategy. She brought a personal why.

"Helping my own parents find the right place to age well drove my passion to help others."

What keeps her here?

"Every design and story I create supports our Affiliates and the older adults they serve across the country."

Brenda's story is a reminder that it is people, their experiences, compassion, and connections that bring our mission and values to life every day. We are proud to celebrate the people and the stories that bring us together to transform the experience of aging.

Kendal is hiring. Join the Team!
https://hubs.ly/Q04vL3rm0))

08/28/2026

At Barclay Friends, a simple idea turned into something lasting: what happens when a classroom and a community find each other.

Students from Exton Elementary spent the spring getting to know residents at Barclay Friends through "Voices of the Past, Stories for the Future," a program built around swapping stories, asking questions, and learning what it was like to live through moments in history most of the students had only read about. What started as a few visits became something both generations looked forward to.

"Any time that you connect children and older adults together, there's a certain joy and energy that brings out the best in the residents," said Patti Knowles, director of resident engagement. "There's just this instant smile, that instant feeling of positivity."

For residents, it was more than a nice afternoon. It gave them a chance to be the ones offering wisdom and care for a change, something Knowles said brought out real enthusiasm.

Barclay Friends is already looking forward to welcoming the students back.

Read the full story from McKnight's Senior Living: https://hubs.ly/Q04vCyy10

A connection between a fourth-grade class and residents of a CCRC is creating a lasting connection and filling students and older adults alike with hope. Learn more, and find out how to submit your photos!

08/20/2026

Hiring for culture, not just headcount.

At The Kendal Corporation, we know that filling a role fast isn't the same as filling it right. Deb McCardell, Senior Director of Human Resources, shares why intentional hiring matters more than ever in aging services, and how it's shaping a stronger, more connected team culture across the Kendal System.

One number that stands out: about 25% of new hires over the past year came through employee referrals. That's not a coincidence. It's a sign that team members trust the culture enough to bring their own network into it.

Read more about Deb's approach to reducing turnover and building a team that stays: https://hubs.ly/Q04tJlv-0

Featured Articles Why New Employees Leave in the First Three Months, and How to Stop It - I Advance Senior Care

08/18/2026

Congratulations to Kim Dunn on her retirement after 45 years with the Kendal System!

Kim began her journey with us in August 1981 as a Medical Dining Room Attendant at Crosslands. That is where she found what would become her life's work, a genuine devotion to serving others. Over the decades she grew alongside the organization, contributing to resident services, healthcare administration, benefits, human resources, talent acquisition, and employee engagement. She leaves us as Director of Talent Acquisition and Employee Engagement, having touched nearly every corner of the System along the way.

If you ask the people who worked beside her, they will tell you about far more than the roles she held. Kim was, for so many of us, the very first face of Kendal. She welcomed new employees with warmth, patience, and a calm that steadied even the most nervous first day. Colleagues across our communities credit her with setting the tone for what Kendal kindness feels like, and with shaping the way they, in turn, welcome others.

Kim has a gift that no job description could ever capture. She remembers the small things. She asks about your family, your vacation, the story you told her weeks ago. She helped open new communities, brought new systems to life, and helped attract and keep the talented people who make Kendal what it is. Through all of it, she led quietly, and she led with heart, helping others feel seen, valued, and capable.

Kim, on behalf of the residents, team members, and communities across the Kendal System, thank you. Thank you for 45 remarkable years, for your steady presence, and for the countless people you welcomed, guided, and encouraged. Your legacy of kindness, integrity, and service will stay with us long after this chapter closes.

We are in awe of all you have accomplished, and even more in awe of your heart. We will miss you.

08/07/2026

Big news for Humboldt Commons in N. California

Humboldt Commons in McKinleyville, CA, has announced prospective residents can now secure their future home with a repayable 10% reservation deposit. This innovative community will feature 100+ cottages, apartments, and shared spaces designed for active older adults, age 62+.

Strong momentum is building toward a 2027 groundbreaking and a planned 2029 opening. Congratulations to the Life Plan Humboldt board and the entire Humboldt Commons team on this exciting milestone!

Read the full announcement here! https://humboldt.kendal.org/news/humboldt-commons-receives-state-approval-to-accept-10-reservation-deposits/

Stay informed with the latest news from Humboldt Commons — a Kendal-affiliated Retirement Community coming to McKinleyville, celebrating progress, people, and place.

08/05/2026

Staying true to who we are means evolving with purpose. That's the idea behind our new brand identity across the Kendal System. CEO Vassar Byrd says Kendal is "deeply committed" to what comes next, from new development and future affiliations to better ways of supporting brain health and cognitive wellness as people age, all while continuing to support existing Affiliates along the way. It's a bold step forward for the Kendal System, distinct in place and united by values.

Read the full story here: https://hubs.ly/Q04r_6-T0

Not-for-profit senior living provider The Kendal Corporation has new branding, but its focus on keeping up with the changing pace

08/04/2026

A brand refresh isn't just a new look. It's a chance to reconnect with who you are and who you're becoming.

For an organization built on more than 50 years of Quaker-inspired values, and made up of Affiliates that are each distinct in place and united by values, that balance matters more than most.

In episode 36 of The Drake Insights Podcast, host Natasha Drake talks with Morgan Lamphere, Senior Director of Marketing for The Kendal Corporation, about that journey. Morgan shares what it took to modernize Kendal's look and feel while protecting the heritage and culture that have shaped the Kendal System for decades.

Give it a listen: https://hubs.ly/Q04rS3v50

A brand refresh is never just about a new logo, updated colors or m...

07/31/2026

Shoutout to Kendal At Ithaca for sharing such a wonderful look into their Spirit Week celebrations!

We love seeing everyone come together to celebrate and, more importantly, the incredible staff and residents who make it such a special place to live and work.

Thank you for bringing so much heart to Spirit Week and for sharing your story with all of us!