LeadingAge California

06/11/2026

We appreciate California Commission on Aging for inviting Harrison Linder to present on the current state of housing and homelessness for older adults during the “Nowhere to Go: Addressing the Crisis in Supportive Housing for Older Californians” hearing today in Sacramento.

06/08/2026

Assistant Director of Housing Policy, Harrison Linder will be speaking at the California Commission on Aging's summit on the housing crisis among older adults this coming Thursday, June 11, 11 AM – 3:30 PM. The event will feature multiple panels featuring experts from across the housing and aging services and policy landscape. Learn more and register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nowhere-to-go-addressing-the-crisis-in-supportive-housing-for-older-adults-tickets-1988572488845

As California’s population continues to age, the need for supportive housing becomes increasingly urgent. On June 11, will convene leaders from across the aging and housing sectors to discuss barriers, gaps, and opportunities to better serve older adults experiencing or at risk of homelessness. View the agenda and learn more at https://ccoa.ca.gov/

06/05/2026

Join us in another round of applause for our 2026 LeadingAge California Awardee who were recognized at our 2026 BOLD Annual Conference & Expo! These awardees embody the passion, purpose, and commitment that move our field forward. Your contributions remind us why this work matters and why our community is stronger because of you. Congratulations to all of our incredible 2026 awardees!

Lifetime Achievement Award: Jeannee Parker Martin - LeadingAge California

Business Partner of the Year: Allan Jergesen - Hanson Bridgett

Outstanding Mentor Award: Sonja Duerst - Paradise Valley Estates

Resident of the Year: Mary Ann Somerville - The Forum at Rancho San Antonio

Service Award: Patricia Blanco-Barajas - Vista del Monte Retirement Community

Best Practice/Innovation of the Year Award: The Star Room - Vista del Monte Retirement Community

06/04/2026

Elevate your career in activity and life enrichment. 🌟 The Gateway-In Academy's new CDPH-approved training course is designed for current and aspiring Activity Professionals in California healthcare, covering everything you need to lead with confidence. Enroll today: https://www.eventcreate.com/e/apt-training

06/03/2026

The memories are in and they look good. 📸 You showed up, you showed out, and we captured every moment. Relive BOLD 2026 in the full photo gallery: 195724777@N04/albums/72177720333957855/" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://www.flickr.com/photos/195724777@N04/albums/72177720333957855/

06/02/2026

Still reflecting on the energy and conversations from BOLD 2026!

Thank you to everyone who joined us in Palm Desert and helped make this year's conference such a success. From inspiring keynotes and Learning Labs to sessions on AI, workforce development, dementia care, leadership, and innovation, BOLD was filled with ideas that will help shape the future of aging services.

Some standout BOLD moments included celebrating our EMERGE graduates and award recipients, exploring human-centered AI and dementia care through immersive experiences and expert discussions, connecting with industry partners in the Expo Hall, and celebrating at the BOLD Gala Royale, where we recognized President & CEO Jeannee Parker Martin with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her extraordinary leadership and enduring contributions to LeadingAge California.

A special thank you to our speakers, exhibitors, and sponsors for making it all possible; Cain Brothers (KeyBank), Eskaton, Front Porch Communities & Services, HumanGood, Sequoia Living CA, Ziegler, Retirement Housing Foundation, Simply Connect, Value First, Boulder Associates, Episcopal Communities & Services, Gallagher, Masonic Homes of California, Pacific Retirement Services, Relation Insurance Services, TELACU, Wear Tech, and Wipfli.

Most importantly, thank you to our attendees for showing up, sharing your expertise, and investing in our collective future. Together, we continue to Amplify Our Purpose—advancing older adult services across California and beyond.

Save the date: BOLD 2027 will be held May 18–21, 2027 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, CA.

05/29/2026

Delayed work authorizations are impacting our workforce and the older adults we serve. This week, LeadingAge California member Channing House participated in a press conference with Congressman Sam Liccardo to discuss the impact of the delayed work permits on their community. Yadira Aldana, Health & Wellness Administrator at Channing House, shared her story to raise awareness of the impact of the delayed work authorizations.

Rhonda Bekkedahl, Chief Executive Officer of Channing House, shared, "Since October 2025, seven employees have been forced to leave Channing House due to delays in work permit renewals. Ongoing delays will impact an additional 12 employees in the upcoming year. Without action by the federal government to expedite processing times, Channing House could lose nearly 20 high quality, long-standing employees over the course of 2026. These employees are servers, nurses, managers, and executive team members, several of whom have been with us for over 10 years. Thank you to Rep. Sam Liccardo for providing a platform to share this message."

LeadingAge California and LeadingAge are working to address this issue. If you are experiencing something similar, please reach out to us.

05/19/2026

Day 1 of BOLD! is HERE! 🎉🔥

It’s time to amplify your purpose! Check-in is officially OPEN. Come grab your badge, tote bag, and all the goodies waiting for you! And the excitement doesn’t stop there… Learning Labs are starting soon and you do NOT want to miss out. 💡

This is your moment. Show up. Level up. Be BOLD. 💪