Kathryn Roberts became CEO Emeritus of Ecumen in 2019, after serving as President and CEO since 2003 and transforming the organization into one of the country’s leading nonprofit providers of diversified senior housing and services. As CEO, Kathryn became an international thought leader on aging, rising to the role of Chair of the National Board of Directors of LeadingAge in 2016 and being named one of the 2017 Top 50 “Influencers in Aging” by Next Avenue.

As CEO Emeritus, Kathryn leads Ecumen Philanthropy and continues her work to create a more age-friendly world as she supports the CEO transition. In early 2018, she informed the board of her decision to step away from day-to-day leadership and work part-time.

Under Kathryn’s leadership, Ecumen has been recognized for its innovation, bringing new empowering technologies to seniors and their families; developing a nationally acclaimed program in dementia care; expanding housing options to new markets and creating a national senior housing development business; and shaping a workplace culture that has led to Ecumen being named 10 times as one of the “Best Places to Work” by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal and has also been named one of Minnesota’s Top Workplaces by the Minneapolis Star Tribune and Minnesota Monthly Magazine.

Kathryn has a distinguished career in public service and leadership and is one of the few people to be appointed to leadership positions by a Democratic, Republican and Independent Governor. The Minneapolis Star Tribune once called her “state government’s #1 management doctor.” She led the transformation of several Minnesota state agencies, including the Minnesota Zoo, which she was appointed to lead at age 34. Kathryn, who had no prior zoological experience, became the country’s first woman to lead a major zoo. Through entrepreneurial approaches, the zoo’s attendance and revenues reached all-time highs. One of several innovative partnerships that occurred under her leadership was the creation of the only environmental studies high school located within a zoo.

As chairwoman of Minnesota’s professional sports agency, the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, she led efforts to sue Major League Baseball and successfully stop contraction of the Minnesota Twins. In 2008, Kathryn was appointed by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty to a five-year term as chair of the Minnesota Veterans Health Care Advisory Council. She also served on the Governor’s Veterans Long-Term Care Advisory Commission. She was recognized by the University of Minnesota’s College of Education as one of its “100 Distinguished Alumni” for the College’s first 100 years. She also was named in 2008 as one of the Twin Cities’ “Best Brains” by Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine. Kathryn serves on the boards of LeadingAge in Washington, D.C., and VocalEssence in Minneapolis. Prior to joining Ecumen, Kathryn served as vice president of the Minneapolis Foundation, where she administered a $30 million annual grant program.

Kathryn earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Minnesota, her M.S. in Special Education from Mankato State University and her Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Minnesota.

Shelley Kendrick became Ecumen President and CEO in 2019, after serving as Ecumen’s Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Operations since 2015.

Shelley has extensive leadership and operations experience in senior housing and services. She joined Ecumen in 2012 and has led the management of the organization’s housing and care center communities, including strategic development, quality of care, operations, community relations, financial performance and innovation. Shelley has also led the ongoing expansion of Ecumen Hospice, which has grown to four regional offices, serving ten times the number of people daily than it did in 2015.

Prior to joining Ecumen, Shelley led the Minneapolis Veteran’s Home, where she advanced the quality of care for Minnesota veterans in need of housing and health care, overseeing a skilled nursing care center and memory care. Previously, she managed operations for several health care facilities in Ohio and Minnesota for more than 15 years.

As a member of the board for LeadingAge Minnesota, she actively advocates for the interests of older adults at the state and federal level and works to improve care across Minnesota. Kendrick has also served on the University of Minnesota’s Health Services Management Advisory Board, encouraging students to choose careers in senior care.

Shelley holds a Masters in Nonprofit Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame and a B.S. in English Language and Literature from Eastern Michigan University.