Message from the Senior Leadership Team:
On May 25, George Floyd, a black man, died in Minneapolis after being handcuffed and pinned to the ground by the knee of a white police officer. His tragic and unnecessary death sparked outrage here in Minnesota, throughout the nation, and around the world.
As your senior leadership team, we condemn injustice and discrimination in our society. We reaffirm our commitment to servant leadership and to cultivating a workplace that prioritizes diversity, equality, inclusion, and transparency – the kind of workplace that sets an example for those around us. We are proud to focus on servant leadership and most of our managers, including our entire Resource Center and senior leadership team, have been through this important training. We believe our principles of listening, empathy, and self-awareness are of the utmost importance right now. We want our company to be a place where all team members feel safe, heard, and valued—regardless of race, gender, or beliefs.
We can only heal and grow better together by listening to and learning from each other, having courageous conversations, and recognizing that we all have different perspectives and backgrounds. When we truly respect and appreciate these differences, growth and healing can begin.
As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” As individuals and as an organization, we must stand up against acts of intolerance and racism including behaviors that promote divisiveness. In support of these efforts we ask you to join us and:
• Create an inclusive environment for everyone. Seek different perspectives. Listen to those around you. Respect points of view and communication styles that are different from your own.
• Speak up when you experience or witness intolerance, mistreatment, or bias at work. If you see something, say something. Our “Open Door” policy provides the framework for your voice to be heard.
• Seek help if you need it. Our Employee Assistance Program can help you access counseling and grief support. You can also reach out to your executive director, the Human Resources department, and your fellow team members—the best support is sometimes standing right next to you.
Employee Assistance Program: Free 24/7 Support, Resources, and Information
Call (877) 595-5281 or visit www.guidanceresources.com
We are in the business of taking care of seniors and giving them opportunities to live life on purpose each day. As we move forward, let us take care of each other, learn from each other, and walk the path to a better future. Together.
Your Senior Leadership Team,
Ryan Novaczyk, Chief Executive Officer
Chris Hyatt, President
Doug Anderson, VP Marketing
Lore Brownson, SVP Clinical Services and CCO
Adam Cozine, VP Real Estate
Pam Engle, SVP People and Administration
David Kieffer, VP Sales
Janet Lillevold, SVP Transformation and Security Officer
Alex Massopust, VP Finance & Accounting
Tracy McGraw, VP Human Resources