Career Blog

Meet Katie Lee, Executive Director at Skybrooke at Simsbury, whose 22-year journey in senior living began with childhood summers spent alongside her mom in a nursing home recreation department. From scrubbing pots and pans to earning her master’s in Long Term Care Management and leading communities through times of challenge and change, Katie’s career is a testament to dedication, growth, and heart. Known for her hands-on leadership and belief in the power of relationships, Katie is passionate about enriching the lives of both residents and associates. At Skybrooke, she leads with empathy, purpose, and a commitment to ensuring every person who walks through the door feels valued, supported, and part of something special.

Executive Director: Katie Lee
Community: Skybrooke at SImsbury

What first made you interested in working in Senior Living?

I was inspired to purse healthcare due to my mom, she is a nurse. As a child I spent many summer days in her nursing home recreation department. As my education grew, so did my desire to make a positive impact on our seniors lives.

How long have you been working in Senior Living and what was your first job in this field?

Over the past 22 years, I’ve worked in nearly every position besides being a nurse. My first position in healthcare was scrubbing pots and pans in a nursing home, gained a resident direct support role in group homes providing ADL care and med tech. During my under grad, I obtained a position of front desk supervisor, assistant human resources. Then I took a leap of faith and became an engagement director, which I truly enjoyed bringing joy to my residents. I earned my master’s degree in Long Term Care Management, passed my boards, and became a Nursing Home Administrator. During 2020, I traveled as an Administrator providing support to nursing homes in need, hiring and implementing teams in each location. During this time I was looking for a community to set roots in, traveling was nice, however it did not allow me to make the long term effect I was looking for. In 2021 I joined the Simsbury team and never looked back.

What is your favorite part about working in Senior Living?

Working with our seniors is working with live history. They’ve lived through the major marks in World History and if you take a moment and listen you can learn more than you ever could imagine.

What is one thing you wish everyone knew about being an Executive Director?

The one thing I wish everyone knew about being an Executive Director, this position provides the ability to positively affect not just our senior lives and their ecosystem, however we have the ability to positively influence our associates. I do not take this duty lightly, each day I do my best to ensure our associates know they are much more than an employee, they are the key component to senior living.

What is one piece of advice you would share with someone thinking of starting a career in Senior Living?

My one piece of advice for someone thinking of starting a career in Senior Living is to know you do make a difference. You are the difference between seniors knowing they are cared for in a holistic way and not.

What keeps you invested in the field?

What keeps me invested in the healthcare arena is knowing that each smile my ecosystem makes is directly related to decisions made by the associates hired and the residents who make up my community. We may not have a lot of time on this earth, but we can make a lot of great memories/smiles, relationships while we are here.

What is your favorite part about your job?

My favorite part of my position, growing others. Having the ability to pour into others love cup, to teach, educate and to grow individuals is a true honor. Whether a senior attempts art for the first time, or the high school/college students who return on breaks and being able to provide them the life skills they will use in their careers is absolutely a gift.  

What is the best part about working at Skybrooke at Simsbury or at Northbridge?

The best part about work at Simsbury  is our team. From the external support of our home office to internal team. We strive to be the best and to ensure our residents are living well and love their lives.

What is one tip you have to ensure new residents and families feel welcome and supported from day one?

 We start our relationship building as soon as a guest enters our doors. Warm smiles, offer of assistance, introducing our associates and directors, we want to ensure you are well fed, well cared for and you know you matter to us.