Senior living staffing: Challenges and opportunities

Zeta Smith is known for developing talent and driving growth. As CEO of Sodexo Seniors (U.S.), she oversees more than 3,600 employees in more than 500 senior communities throughout the U.S. Her focus on progress consistently moves senior living communities forward, implementing evidence-based innovations powered by teams who are committed to care. Smith is a member of Sodexo’s Healthcare and Seniors Global Executive Committee and the North America Regional Leadership Committee for Sodexo, the global leader in Quality of Life services. Operating in 64 countries, Sodexo’s 420,000 employees serve 100 million consumers each day through On-site Services, Benefits and Rewards Services, and Personal and Home Services. As CEO, Smith champions Sodexo’s commitment to supporting diversity, inclusion and safety while trying to uphold the highest standards of corporate responsibility and ethical business conduct. Her approach is to focus on what one can control and do well – in her case, this means building engaged, motivated teams to deliver results. Smith works to strengthen partnerships with communities to deliver exceptional experiences and optimized performance. With more than 25 years of experience spanning multiple industries, she leads teams through growth and evolving market trends. She serves as a national board member of Girl Scouts of the USA and previously served as a board member of Junior Achievement of Washington. As a member of Women Business Collaborative, she works to accelerate the advancement of all women in business. Prior to joining Sodexo, Smith was a senior vice president at Starbucks, where she was responsible for growth and development of more than 4,000 stores in 37 states. Prior to Starbucks, Smith spent more than 15 years at ExxonMobil, progressing through corporate and field operation management roles. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland and an MBA from George Mason University, where she was a member of the Gamma Sigma Honors Society.

Jim Moran is the vice president, human resources, for Sodexo’s Senior Living segment. He has more than 25 years of experience in human resources, employee development and leading teams through change in complex business environments. An adviser to the CEO and senior operational executives, he provides strategic support and coaching on human capital, regulatory, and business initiatives. Moran has served on the company’s Diversity & Inclusion Council as well as a leadership consultant for an employee inclusion program. An active member of the Executive Safety Committee for Sodexo in North America, he holds a Master of Science degree in organizational development/training and a Bachelor of Arts degree in education. Moran’s tenure with Sodexo also includes several business partner roles, supporting national portfolios and serving as the HR lead for several start-up segments. Prior to Sodexo, Moran served as both a project manager and clinical department head for a major academic medical center in Philadelphia. An educator at heart, he has held an adjunct faculty position in the communications department of Rowan University and the allied health school at Hahnemann University.

Matt McNeill is the Director of Senior Living for StuartCo. Matt has responsibility for 185 units of licensed assisted living, 168 units of affordable senior living, 76 units of student housing, and 104 units of market-rate apartments, including more than 115 team members. Matt has more than 15 years of experience in senior living, including marketing, business development, and real estate development for providers including Walker Methodist and Ecumen. Matt attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, completed the LeadingAge Larry Minnix Leadership Academy, and was named the 2021 Minnesota Housing Association MADACS Portfolio Manager of the year.