Staff spotlight: Kari Schrader

Adhering to her daily motto of “to give as I have been given,” Kari Schrader, Community Life Services Director, creates elevated experiences for the residents of Ardenwoods.

Originally from Abingdon, Illinois, Kari moved south to attend Toccoa Falls College, earning a bachelor’s degree in Interpersonal and Organizational Communications. Heading into her ninth year at Ardenwoods, Kari wears many hats in her role — organizing engagement opportunities and social events, engaging with residents, and supporting their ideas for resident-led groups and events.

“I try to offer a variety of programming that is diverse and fresh yet makes residents feel at home,” she said. “Also, I work with their ideas when I can.”

Currently, Kari is participating in the LeadingAge North Carolina Leadership Academy designed to elevate statewide, aging-services leaders. She was selected to join by the leadership team at ThriveMore, Ardenwoods’ parent company.

“To be a participant in this academy is an honor. It is expanding, encouraging, and challenging me to improve my role in the community,” she said. “I find myself considering a whole new frame of thought.”  

For instance, in 2024, a resident suggested showing the movie, The Maltese Falcon. Kari collaborated with residents to elevate a simple movie night into a full New Year’s Eve celebration for the entire Ardenwoods campus.

The LeadingAge program provides a challenging and engaging learning environment designed to enhance leadership capacity for individuals within the senior living profession.

Kari’s leadership class consists of 15 participants and runs through May 2025. The class has been divided into three ‘teams’ that meet once per month, either virtually or at the participant’s respective communities. “Carry the Fire”, is Kari’s group and they have even designed a group emblem.

“The curriculum consists of team building and reviewing leadership material, which we read and analyze before discussing at our monthly meetings,” said Kari. “To be rubbing shoulders with people of different capacities in senior living and the information exchange is unfathomable. Seeing a lot of communities and how they tackle things differently is beneficial.”

To graduate from the academy, participants present individual Action Learning Projects to academy organizers. These projects involve developing specific plans for their respective communities to further explore and implement.

 “We are being challenged to lead our communities,” she said. “This program is incredibly stimulating and rewarding.”

Kari looks forward to building her leadership skills with the academy and using those skills to better impact the residents of Ardenwoods. Congratulations on this honor, Kari!