In January, Montereau kicked off a new Management Development Program designed and coordinated through Novare, a consortium of Life Plan Communities similar in mission and stature to Montereau. This is the first management training program of its kind at Montereau, and it was specifically developed to provide consistent support and structured training for managers. Benefits of taking part in the program include having access to industry resources, support and knowledge, as well as the opportunity to share mutually beneficial information.

The Novare Management Development Program is intensive, with a large pool of participants from communities all over the country actively engaging in the program. The educational program consists of a year-long commitment with fifty-five hours of training in four main areas: organization and culture, building effective teams, enhancing management skills, and energizing people for performance.

Participating managers and supervisors meet on a bi-weekly basis for training which is collectively implemented by coordinators from Novare in conjunction with on-campus facilitators Laura Hawkins, Director of Human Resources, Jessica Davis, Human Resources Manager, and Shereen Karjadi, Assistant Director of Food and Beverage.

Over the course of the year, participants are expected to develop and sharpen their management skills, as well as their understanding of work in a team environment. The curriculum is designed to develop and strengthen core competencies. Laura Hawkins emphasized the benefits of participating in the program, stating, “This program will sharpen skills and provide a good foundation of knowledge for what we do here at Montereau. It will shape caring, confident, and productive leaders.”

The inaugural class of the Novare Management Development Program includes managers from nearly every department:
Courtney Willis, Director of Social Services
Richard Applegate, Executive Chef
Carrie Prado, Housekeeping Supervisor
Janry David, Restaurant Supervisor
Andrew Hatlang, Restaurant Supervisor
Devan Drew, Quality Care Coordinator
Erin Johns, Quality Care Coordinator
Liz Misak, Dietary Manager
Gina Talamantes, Administrative Services Manager
Charlie Burton, Accounting Manager
Charlotte Maxwell, Staff Development Coordinator
Jessica Vagin, Abbey Program Manager

These managers are working diligently to develop skills that will benefit the Montereau community for many years to come. If you see these folks in the hallway, give them a word of encouragement as their journey has just begun!