The Oregon Caregiver FALL/WINTER 2023 www.ohca.com 10 FEATURE » FEATURE, CONT. intricacies of every department and their contribution to the cycle. After about a year and a half, Connelly faced a pivotal moment in her career. The regional nurse had retired, and she was asked if she would be interested in taking on a broader role. This opportunity marked her first step into overseeing multi- campus health services, a significant milestone that set the stage for her future leadership roles. Following that position, Connelly served for six years in operations positions supporting communities and was then the chief quality officer. “I never forgot where success lies, which is enhancing the relationship between the residents and our frontline staff and assuring that we’re doing whatever we can to support the incredible people who work day in and day out to make our residents’ days better,” she said. In 2020, Connelly assumed the role of chief operating officer of The Springs Living during the COVID-19 pandemic. These turbulent times only reinforced the significance of having leaders deeply connected to their organization’s values and mission. Her commitment to providing resources, support, and innovation to the frontline teams became evident during this critical period. Two years later, Connelly became president of the company, overseeing 20 retirement communities across Oregon, Montana, and Washington. Connelly says she is fortunate that The Springs Living invests in future leaders within the company. Without its support, she said she never saw herself advancing to this leadership role. “There was nothing within me that said, ‘I’m going to be president someday; that’s what I aspire to be,’” she said. “However, there have been moments in my career where I looked at opportunities before me and said, ‘You know what? I bet I can add something here.’ When you get into a role, surround yourself with talented, passionate people, do your very best to help move the mission forward and generally good things will come.” Connelly attributes much of her success to the mentorship and guidance she received along her journey. She encourages aspiring leaders, particularly women, not to hesitate in expressing their aspirations. Speaking up and seeking guidance from supervisors, mentors, or trusted colleagues can be instrumental in advancing one’s career. Connelly emphasizes the importance of confidence, empathy, and a willingness to learn from both successes and failures. “Be willing to work harder than anyone else around you. Nothing is going to just be handed to you. Be a lifelong learner, no matter what position you’re in, always show great kindness and empathy, and support your colleagues,” she said. “There’s this saying, that we need to fix each other’s crowns and not knock them off. Success doesn’t need to be a competition. There is more than enough need for future leaders for our profession. The only reason I am here is because I had other people who helped me along the way.” Connelly was honored as one of McKnight’s 2022 Women of Distinction, and currently serves on OHCA’s board of directors. Her path to leadership hasn’t always been easy. She describes often being one of very few women at executive meetings early in her career and learning to build up her confidence over the years to speak up and contribute. She admits to making a lot of mistakes along the way but says showing up authentically will always be better than being perfect. “I think, naturally, women have more of a tendency to step back when we should lean in. I had great mentors along the way that helped me who are also female leaders. Remind yourself that you were invited to the table for a reason, therefore you were invited to contribute, and you must contribute. Every single boardroom, every single meeting needs diversity: diversity of thought, diversity of personality style, gender, cultural background, you name it,” she said. “If you’re nervous, remind yourself that you are representing something bigger than yourself. They need your perspective. Be genuine, listen intently, show both grace and grit, and you will shine.” Connelly made it her duty to show women the pathway to leadership exists. Being a role model is something she takes seriously, recognizing that she is always on stage and that people are watching. However, she doesn’t let that overshadow her day-to-day work. “No one around us expects us to be perfect or have all the answers; that was a lesson that I probably learned too late, where I was really striving for perfection “I think, naturally, women have more of a tendency to step back when we should lean in. I had great mentors along the way that helped me who are also female leaders. Remind yourself that you were invited to the table for a reason, therefore you were invited to contribute, and you must contribute.” – Brenda Connelly, President, The Springs Living
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