Vision & Values
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About Us
Every day our residents prove that the historical definition of senior living can be reshaped and rethought. Aging doesn't mean that life should suddenly cease to be fulfilling or lived without spirit and vitality.
Each of our residents touches our lives, and we give back with equal measure, doing whatever we can to enrich their quality of life, every single day.
Creating an environment where mind, body, and spirit can flourish means having programming, amenities, and staff that are second to none.
Good food is made even better when it's locally sourced, expertly prepared, and enjoyed with family and friends, all in a setting that promotes comfort and conversation.
We age but we should never stop growing. That's why we focus on spirit first and encourage participation in activities that promote mental and physical health.
We continually reinvest in staff education and training at our communities in an effort to stay at the forefront in terms of programming and services that we offer.
Each of our residents touches our lives, and we give back with equal measure, doing whatever we can to enrich their quality of life, every single day.
Creating an environment where mind, body, and spirit can flourish means having programming, amenities, and staff that are second to none.
Good food is made even better when it's locally sourced, expertly prepared, and enjoyed with family and friends, all in a setting that promotes comfort and conversation.
We age but we should never stop growing. That's why we focus on spirit first and encourage participation in activities that promote mental and physical health.
We continually reinvest in staff education and training at our communities in an effort to stay at the forefront in terms of programming and services that we offer.
Chief Operating Officer
As our Chief Operating Officer, David brings his track record as a successful leader and team-builder to the Verve community. Working closely with the Regional Management team, David ensures that we uphold the high quality of service our residents have come to expect, and that we continue to evolve our operations so we can exceed those expectations.
Before joining Verve, David previously held a position as Senior Vice President of Operations at a leading hotel and resort brand.
Vice President, Operations, Ontario
As Vice President, Operations, and responsible for a portfolio of residences and long-term care homes in Ontario, Dennis ensures that every Verve community delivers on the promise of inspired senior living. Collaborating with our corporate resources, Dennis inspires managers and staff of each community to provide the highest levels in senior living for our Ontario residents.
Dennis has a degree in Hospitality Management and is certified in Long-Term Care Management by the Canadian Hospital Association. Dennis currently serves as a Vice-president on the Ontario Retirement Communities Association board of directors.
President & CEO
As our senior executive, John collaborates with his fellow Board members to set the strategic direction for the company and, in conjunction with the leadership team, is responsible for execution of Verve’s strategic plan. John is active in all business aspects including people resources, project development, acquisitions and dispositions, operations, finance and accounting, and sales and marketing, fulfilling our brand promise of delivering inspired senior living across each and every Verve residence in Canada.
John has an undergraduate degree in Hotel Administration and a Masters’ degree in Business. Prior to joining Verve, John was a senior executive in the hospitality industry in both the U.S. and Canada.
Director of Finance
Paige leads Verve’s Finance and Accounting team, which works to provide improved analytics and innovative financial support for everyday challenges and strategic initiatives. Paige is dedicated to ensuring that the Verve philosophy is woven into the financial realm.
A Bachelor of Commerce graduate, Paige joined Diversicare from a global accounting firm bringing her skills in auditing, accounting and tax initially to the position of Assistant Director of Finance, and later to her current position as Director of Finance.
Vice President, People
Responsible for Human Resources & Labour Relations, Millie leads a talented team dedicated to ensuring that our passionate staff lives and breathes the Verve promise of delivering inspired senior living every single day. Millie is devoted to supporting and nurturing our unique culture while ensuring that the company remains an employer of choice.
Millie has a Bachelor of Science as well as a Master’s degree in Business Administration. She serves on the Board and is a past Board President for the Ontario Retirement Communities Association, where she is active in developing legislative outcomes that are positive for the industry.
Vice President, Special Projects
After spending over 20 years as our Vice President, Operations for Western Canada, Elroy has taken on the role of Vice President of Special Projects. In this new role, Elroy will dedicate much of his time to assuring that the Verve brand is brought to life in all of our senior living communities across Canada.
Before joining Diversicare in 1989 as the General Manager of a new retirement community being launched in Richmond, B.C., Elroy utilized his Community Recreation degree to successfully manage several community and senior centres in Metro Vancouver.
Director of Sales & Marketing
Karen oversees our marketing and sales activities, and in so doing, she ensures that the Verve story is told in a clear and compelling manner. She also collaborates with the sales and marketing teams at our retirement and long-term care communities to share their remarkable stories with others.
Karen’s educational background includes Public Relations, Sales, Marketing and Business Development in hospitality and healthcare. Her wealth of previous experience includes positions as Corporate Sales Executive for a national hotel chain, Director of Community Relations for an international retirement/assisted living company, and Branch Director for a national home care agency.
Food & Beverage Coordinator
Kurt is responsible for the superior culinary experiences enjoyed by all of our residents. His mission is to ensure that his dynamic team of executive chefs and Dining Service Managers deliver one remarkable meal after another in each Verve dining room across the country.
Kurt has a wide range of experience in the hotel and restaurant industry. He was educated and trained in Europe, receiving diplomas from professional chef and hotel management schools in Austria and Switzerland. His extensive experience includes working in five star hotels and restaurants in both Europe and Canada, as well as the management of his own restaurants.
Regional Manager, Prairies
As the Regional Manager for our Prairie residences, Tammy ensures that the Verve promise of inspired senior living thrives in each and every community. Collaborating with our corporate resources, Tammy inspires managers and staff to provide the highest levels in senior living for our Alberta and Saskatchewan residents.
Tammy has extensive experience in the senior living industry. As General Manager of two different retirement communities, Tammy demonstrated her ability to inspire and lead her teams to outstanding results. Prior to joining the Verve team, Tammy was Regional Manager for the Canadian Diabetes Association, where she led their entrepreneurial venture.
Chief Financial Officer
As Chief Financial Officer, Denise is responsible for instilling a financial approach and mindset throughout the Verve community in order to enhance performance and stewardship. Denise works actively with the other business leaders at Verve to guide and support strategic and key business initiatives.
Denise has served in senior finance positions in a number of public companies and has a proven record of financial leadership and effectiveness. Before joining Verve, she most recently served as Vice President Finance at one of the largest lodging real estate companies in Canada.
Life Enrichment Leader
Lynne is an RPN, has a BA in Humanities and Social Sciences and is a Certified Validation Worker. Lynne has over 17 years’ experience working with Seniors as an Executive Director of Retirement Communities, as a Regional Director of Health and Wellness and as a Regional Director of Memory Care and programming in both the US and Canada.
As the National Life Enrichment Leader and Memory Care Specialist Lynne brings a proactive, person centred approach in creating Life Enrichment programming tailored to the uniqueness of each of our residents. Lynne has an infinite passion for, and advocates for all seniors.
Lynne is a current member of the Education Committee for the Ontario Retirement Communities Association.
National Health and Wellness Leader
Denise earned her RPN Diploma from Centennial College and has continued her education by taking related courses at Centennial and Durham College. She joined the senior’s living sector in 1997 working for Diversicare as an RPN at Altamont Nursing Home. Denise was an Instructor of the Resident Centered Care course for five years and in addition to that she worked with Centennial College as a content developer. She has held positions at 2 Verve residences before joining Stouffville Creek in 2012 as the General Manager.
Denise’s professionalism in nursing, along with her passion for the health and well-being of our residents will strengthen the foundation and grow our health and wellness programs.
David Bird
Dennis Boschetto
John A. Carnella
Paige W. Chan, CPA, CA
Millie Christie
Elroy Jespersen
Karen Kotanko
Kurt Ostermann
Tammy Williams
Denise Achonu
Lynne Colman
Denise Kato
Who better to share the Verve experience than those who live it daily. Let our own staff tell you what living with Verve means to them.
Watch Gary's Video
“Not only do we have the finest food that we can get, but it's served in a great environment.”
Watch Lisa's Video
“Our individualized care plans allow not only myself, but my staff members to know our residents more personally, and provide the best care possible.”
Watch James's Video
“When I do better, my residents do better, and that's what I find to be the most exciting.”
Vision & Values
Community
A community is a place where people live, laugh, share and help each other flourish. Always in a state of change, communities are shaped by each person's contributions and desires to build the world they envision. When that goal is shared, amazing and astonishingly positive things can happen. We know this because amazing happens here all the time.
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