Green House Project, Pioneer Merge Executive Teams to Oversee Future Growth
The Center for Innovation, Inc. (CFI) today announced a combined leadership structure for the newly allied Green House Project (GHP) and Pioneer Network, with executives from both organizations taking on new roles to oversee the continued growth of the long-term care reform groups.
Susan Ryan will serve as the Center for Innovation’s first CEO, bringing her 35 years of experience in eldercare reform – with more than a decade at The Green House Project – to the top position. Ryan was most recently GHP’s senior director.
Penny Cook is now the chief culture officer for CFI, with direct oversight of external relationships – including Pioneer’s nationwide network of state-level leaders and volunteers, as well as the LinkedUp peer network of Green House adopter organizations. Cook had previously served as president and CEO of Pioneer Network.
Marla DeVries is the new chief learning officer for CFI, spearheading the non-profit’s internal and external education programming – including workforce development training, person-directed living certification, and leadership coaching classes. DeVries previously held the same position at GHP.
Colleen Kammar will serve as the CFI’s chief financial officer, continuing a role she previously held at GHP.
“CFI is the new home for eldercare transformation in all settings and for all elders, regardless of where they call home,” CFI board chair Michele Holleran said. “This new leadership structure will strengthen the existing power of the Green House and Pioneer brands while also expanding our reach – and deepening our impact – as we look to create new solutions for the entire continuum. Whether it’s nursing homes, assisted living communities, home- and community-based services, or anything in between, CFI will be at the forefront of person-directed living.”
Taken together, the moves kick off a new era in the movement to bring true cultural and physical change to the eldercare system in the United States and around the world.
"Seeing GHP grow to include more than 370 homes across 32 states has been a high point of my career, and I can’t wait to see where this team will take our mission into the future,” Ryan said. “This leadership team will honor the legacies of Green House and Pioneer while building on our experience, knowledge, and passion to blaze new trails in eldercare improvement and reform.”
“GHP and Pioneer are all about culture – both in terms of transforming the culture of long-term care and harnessing the spirit of the individuals who have come together to demand better services and supports for elders and their families,” Cook said. “It’s my honor to serve as the custodian of that culture. I look forward to strengthening the GHP and Pioneer networks while welcoming new leaders, providers, advocates, and volunteers into our movement.”
GHP and Pioneer announced a formal alliance earlier in 2022, with CFI serving as the parent organization of both groups. The new leadership structure was approved by CFI’s board of directors earlier this month and takes effect immediately.
To celebrate the alliance and kick off this new era in eldercare transformation, CFI will host its first annual conference in Pittsburgh from July 23-26, 2023. For more information, visit thegreenhouseproject.org/2023-conference.