Kristin Kutac Ward

Kristin has over 15 years of management experience in health, recreation and senior living. Before founding Retiring By Design, she was chief operating officer of a holding company for senior living communities in New Jersey. Before that, she was vice president of marketing and sales for a similar organization with 42 senior communities nationwide. With experience in both operations and marketing, she understands the need for synergy to maximize ROI and cost efficiency, every strategic plan must leverage the strengths of the entire community.

Key concept for Kristin? Innovation.

Lauren Messmer

Lauren's worked on both sides of the senior living industry during her more than ten years in marketing, advertising, sales and customer relations management. After serving as director of account service for a marketing agency specializing in senior living communities, she worked as vice president of marketing at a senior community. Today Lauren implements integrated marketing planning and strategy, as well as sales consulting and training, using her cross-disciplinary skills to help new and existing communities thrive.

Lauren's constant focus? Problem solving.

Paul O'Brien

With over 15 years in health care, Paul brings a wide range of experience to Retiring By Design. He has been an administrator and executive director of assisted living communities, as well as specialized facilities serving individuals with traumatic brain injury, mental illness and developmental disabilities. On the business side, Paul has specialized in community and business development for projects in pre opening stage, along with existing properties in need of leadership and sales expertise. Paul now focuses on implementing strategic marketing and sales solutions for senior living communities at all stages of their growth.

Paul's principal strength? Planning.

Caroline Bailey

Caroline has more than seven years in recruitment and customer relations management, having worked as a senior level recruiter, HR generalist contractor and customer service specialist. Her responsibilities at Retiring By Design include client relations management, recruitment, human resources, and web administration.

Caroline's forte? Follow-through.

Laurel Smith

Laurel has more than ten years of experience in marketing and direct sales for senior housing. She has served in community, regional and corporate roles for various senior communities and companies.

Laurel's focus? Communication.

Steve Yarnall

Before joining Retiring By Design, Steve was a partner with Springton Development Services, where he provided operations audits, policies and procedure review, market feasibility studies, satisfaction surveys, turnaround consulting, marketing audits, and sales and marketing plans to a wide array of senior communities. His primary focus now is property and operations management.

Steve's goal for clients? Cost efficiency.

Bethany DeBerard

Bethany's more than 14 years in senior living sales and marketing cover everything from traditional communities to new-concept developments, and positions from regional sales and marketing director for a large senior living company to partner in a web-based home health services retailer.

Bethany's mantra? Persistence.

Pamela Kale

In more than 10 years as a sales consultant and trainer, Pamela has managed many sales teams, helping team members build relationships with prospects, convert leads and appointments, and reach their goals.

Pamela's motto? Sales. Sales. Sales.

Patti Shulman

Patti has over 20 years of experience in advertising for national and regional clients, including many senior communities. As creative chief of Shulman Creative, she heads an online partnership of independent art directors, writers and internet specialists with an exceptional range of experience and skills.

What motivates Patti? Creativity.