Think Tank

You'll likely see the hug in the foreground first. This is a big part of the Think Tank experience. We have very little to do with what's going on in the foreground, because the relationships that are formed are 100% BY the people within them [Carrie Aalberts, MS and Adria Thompson MA, CCC-SLP]. We simply provide the setting and create an agenda that allows people to have a richly introspective, learning-focused, and emboldening experience. People don't want to network. They want to connect. So, we give them something more meaningful to talk about - rumble with - find and share the deep emotions that belie our struggles to remain bold in our vision. Our goal at the Think Tank - what James Lee and Nicole Will create all year long - is what's happening in the background. You see Courtney Hogenson, RN, CMC, ALNC and Erin Thompson's expressions? Leaders in aging services SEE each other. ?? We WANT to be inspired by others. ?? Being an ARTIST is often a lonely endeavor. The uniqueness of our perspectives are often shrouded by the "industry" of senior living. Amidst the empire building of many in our profession, our voices can become drowned out. A reluctant chorus of being lumped in to people who simply memorize the lyrics of service but don't feel the deep poetry of the words. We are GRATEFUL beyond measure. We are INSPIRED to do more. We WILL keep stepping further and further in a new direction. You are not responsible for a "rising tide" when those in yachts shout at rowboats to do their part. You are responsible for sharing your unique and singular artwork with the world. The Think Tank is created for your art. We're not a conference. We're your GALLERY. [Pictured in this album: Kris Chana, Diana Shulla Cose, Patti LaFleur, M. ED, CDP, Joanna LaFleur, Shanna Swanson, LHSE, Sarah Sheridan?, Lina Supnet-Zapata,MBA, CMC, TxCG, Kyle Rand, Tracey Scheffler, Anna Hall, Paul Jarvis, Sam McDade, Alana Abbott, John Leavitt, Nathan Jones, Sarah Edwards, Sarah Hyde-Williams, CDP CADDCT CMDCP PAC Trainer/Coach]

We are committed to ensuring that every voice is heard in shaping the future of Aging Services and Senior Living. To support this mission, through scholarships, we will cover the fees for up to four attendees who might otherwise be unable to participate in such events. ?? Organizations: We invite you to directly contribute to paying for front-level team members, leaders in non-profit sectors, local seniors (who live near the Think Tank event), caregivers, and other stakeholders who are not typically a part of senior living conferences.?Pretty awesome, right? To be an equity sponsor visit: https://lnkd.in/g8-_FxeH ?? These voices deserve to be in the room as we create resources and support for the future of aging services. Nominate an attendee to receive a scholarship below! https://lnkd.in/gqpjRAM7 Thank you for making a difference!

Our very first Study Abroad project for the Think Tank brings together four thought leaders and long time contributors to “reimagining” what support, care, and life can be for: - person living with dementia - care partners and family caregivers - senior living industry We are proud to work alongside our sponsor for this incredible opportunity, Viking Pure Solutions and the support of co-founder, Daniel Lawson. The Hogeweyk is world renowned for their groundbreaking concept, which has inspired dementia care professionals for nearly two decades. Our small group project will explore their work up close and personal during an all day study visit through their team at Be Advice | You know us from The Hogeweyk. World's first "Dementia Village". This is the first of other future research and study abroad programs we will put together for Think Tank participants. Each international trip will study and explore what it means to age well, live well, and have meaningful intergenerational connections throughout the world. Though this first trip is focused deeply on the field of dementia care, future groups may explore blue zones, technology, food and diet, cultural traditions, medical research, and many, many other bread crumbs that could help us to learn how and what it means to grow “old.” These study abroad, small groups will be comprised of former attendees of our annual Think Tank event held in December in Austin. If you would like to learn more about joining this movement of independent thinkers who want to contribute, brainstorm, create, and put forth solutions and not just hear about them from speakers on a stage, join us or reach out to someone who has attended before. We are official going international! What better place to begin than The Hogeweyk? Best wishes to our co-founders, James Lee and Nicole Will and their small group partners Adria Thompson MA, CCC-SLP and Carrie Aalberts, MS!

At Think Tank, we are committed to ensuring that every voice is heard in shaping the future of Aging Services and Senior Living. To support this mission, through scholarships, we will cover the fees for up to four attendees who might otherwise be unable to participate in such events. It's vital that as we serve others, their voices are heard and valued. This includes older adults, caregivers, frontline care team, non-profit leaders and those that need support in attending an event like this. Nominate an attendee to receive a scholarship below! https://lnkd.in/gqpjRAM7 ?? Organizations: We invite you to directly contribute to paying for front-level team members, leaders in non-profit sectors, local seniors (who live near the Think Tank event), caregivers, and other stakeholders who are not typically in senior living conferences.?Pretty awesome, right? To be an equity sponsor visit: https://lnkd.in/g8-_FxeH Thank you!

Our new and dedicated website is LIVE! ThinkTankLeadership.com We are also very excited to share with you our carefully chosen theme for Think Tank 2024: Light The Way Home. We'll have two exceptional leaders/instructors join James Lee and Nicole Will to co-facilitate the leadership development track, which is framed each year as "Head + Heart" skills. Last year we were thrilled to have a group of 30 leaders and influencers from around aging services join us in San Antonio. This year, we have expanded the group size to 45 to accommodate the level of interest while maintaining the hallmark intimacy that has made this a special and unique event. We have 10-15 remaining seats for Austin, and we'd LOVE to chat with you if you're interested in joining us. Or perhaps, you'd like to nominate a leader in your organization to join us - grow - be inspired... and then bring that fire back to your team for 2025. The small groups are already shaping up to be FULL of inspiring hearts and bright minds! [Look for their shout-outs on LinkedIn this month as we get closer to finalizing our group.] Ready to take your leadership to the next level? Launch your next big idea? Find inspiration? Make amazing connections with people you'll cherish? We are looking at some wonderful venues to host our one-of-a-kind experience. One past attendee said it "felt like the best kind of summer camp for senior living leaders." If the Think Tank has been calling you and pulling at your heart strings to invest in yourself (or encourage your company to invest in you), reach out to us! We'd love to help you make this happen. See YOU in Austin this December!

A small group of us gather at the Think Tank to fail forward together. Join us. What's that opportunity worth to you? If you'd like to "go far together" then James Lee and Nicole Will would love to chat with you. Sign up below to learn more and join our next group meet and greet / Q&A.

We are developing some really great ideas about how to elevate a gathering that is deserving of people’s love, enthusiasm, hard work, and contribution. Learn more about Think Tank from previous attendees. ?? Interested in joining us in Austin? Join a introduction call with James and Nicole. Message us for more info!