Leaders of the Kendal System Retire

September 2023

Doris Lambert

Doris retired from her role as a Marketing CRM Specialist after 33 wonderful years working for Kendal, building memories and strong relationships with colleagues, residents, and prospects.

Following several promotions throughout her career at Kendal, she retired as the Marketing Department’s CRM Specialist, where she coordinated the transition to various new CRM prospect data management systems and assisted Kendal Affiliates with training, issues and reporting. She was also the very well-organized lead coordinator for the annual Kendal Marketing “Gathering,” where Affiliate marketing and sales teams converged to learn and collaborate.

During Doris’s journey with Kendal, she witnessed Kendal’s growth firsthand and worked tirelessly to ensure the success of new communities. She built long-lasting relationships and impacted the lives of many people. Doris’s story is an inspiration to current and future Kendal employees and reminds us of the value of dedication, hard work, and loyalty. Her commitment to the mission and her support of her colleagues have been invaluable throughout the years.

Howard Braxton, SVP of Marketing, Sales and Communications shares, “Don’t be surprised if you get a few tears in your eyes when thinking back on l Doris’s time with Kendal. She has been an integral part of our team for many years and will be deeply missed. We can’t thank Doris enough for her calm and thoughtful dedication and we wish her all the best! So, here’s to you Doris — cheers!”

January 2024

Wanda Whitted-Smith

Throughout Kendal, Wanda was known as a courageous promoter of the word “Human” in Human Resources. She made significant contributions to Kendal including the development of countless System-wide policies, helpful procedures, and the transition to new employee management, payroll, and benefits enrollment systems. The termination of the pension plan demanded her experience, knowledge, and true care for the individuals
impacted by the change.

Annetha Hall, Chair of Kendal’s Board of Directors, shares, “When Wanda joined Kendal, I, myself, had not too long been on the Board. But like everything else I had come to know and love about Kendal, I immediately knew we had hired a winner. And over the following years, in my interactions and experiences with Wanda, she proved my initial feelings were right. If I had to choose a few words to describe Wanda, they would be indefatigable, professional, a master of her craft, a straight-shooter, loyal, focused, and dry-witted.”

Notably, in addition to supporting the recruitment process of countless new Kendal employees, she extended her retirement timeline to assist the Board of Directors and guide Kendal through an extensive search for The Kendal Corporation’s newly appointed CEO, Vassar Byrd. She is truly valued for her guidance and support to Affiliate Human Resource Directors and Affiliate teams, and is highly regarded by organizational partners and vendors who provide the benefits and other services the Kendal System relies on. Over her ten years with Kendal, Wanda was admired for her vast knowledge of the field, her infectious laugh, respectful directness, and caring support of employees as true individuals.

February 2024

Barbara Thomas

After 32 years leading Kendal at Oberlin, Barbara retired in February of 2024. She began her career with Kendal in 1992, one year before the Oberlin retirement community opened to residents in 1993. In August of 2023, she was recognized by Leading Age Ohio with an award for Visionary Leadership.

Joan Villarreal, Chair of the Kendal at Oberlin Board of Directors, notes “Barbara was an outstanding leader for 30+ years. Inspired by a clear sense of purpose and vision, she encouraged residents and staff of Kendal at Oberlin to grow into a premier community. While we will miss her guidance, we wish her the very best in the next exciting phase of her life.”

As Kendal at Oberlin’s CEO, she made significant contributions to the Kendal System, emphasizing the strengths gained by working together in partnership. This includes the founding of the Kendal at Home program, which is now an independent Kendal Affiliate serving members in several states. “Barbara is a pioneer and trailblazer in senior living, and it’s been an honor to work with her. Throughout her career, Barbara exemplified Kendal values, and her leadership has been inspirational, paving the way for future generations. Barbara’s unwavering dedication, strategic vision, and commitment to excellence have left an indelible mark at Kendal and the entire senior living landscape,” shares Amy Harrison, Kendal CFO.

April 2024

Linda Sterthous

As Executive Director, Linda’s contributions to Barclay Friends have been immeasurable, leading the community through challenging circumstances to successfully build and occupy the Preston building, a new state-of-the-art personal care and memory care community. Under her leadership, Barclay Friends maintained its status as a five-star rated community, recently recognized for its excellence in services throughout Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Linda has been a leader in senior living since the 1970s, holding a range of leadership positions throughout her accomplished career. Linda played an instrumental role in upholding Barclay Friends’ Quaker values of community, peace, integrity and respect for all individuals. Barclay Friends is known for its welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, and Linda’s leadership helped to foster this culture. Linda also made many thoughtful and meaningful contributions to the Kendal System.

Barclay Friends Board Chair Ellen Gilbert expresses, “Throughout her time with Barclay Friends, Linda demonstrated her unfailingly positive attitude, her ability to think strategically and solve problems, her tenacity in the face of challenges, her ability to lead others, and her wonderful sense of humor.”