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At the end of February, twenty senior-level leaders in skilled nursing, senior living and home care were announced as 2026 inductees into the Hall of Honor in the annual McKnight’s Women of Distinction awards program. They will be celebrated along with an impressive group of other award winners May 4 in Chicago at the McKnight’s Women of Distinction Awards and Forum. Among the honorees was President and CEO of Sequoia Living, Sara McVey. The Hall of Honor category recognizes women executives who have had an outsized effect on their organization or sector.
“From my very first day, 35 years ago, I knew this was going to be more than just a job. It became a source of deep, personal meaning, not just a paycheck. It has truly been an honor and a privilege to be a part of the Sequoia Living family that is so deeply committed to serving its residents with compassion dignity, and respect, as well as building close, personal relationships with their family members.” -- Ericka Aldana, Receptionist Supervisor, The Tamalpais – 35 years “Being with Sequoia Living for 40 years has been an incredible journey. It means being part of a team that truly cares about the residents and each other. My advice to other is to embrace teamwork. When you collaborate and support one another, you can build a long and successful career.” -- Christopher Harvey, Housekeeping Coordinator, The Sequoias San Francisco – 40 years
“Working with seniors makes me feel fulfilled.” Making a Life Plan Community function 365 days a year takes hundreds of individuals and roles. Sequoia Living staff are integral in empowering residents while ensuring the success of its communities, programs, and services, from administrative personnel to caregivers, nurses, dining, and maintenance staff. Each role is essential in assuring residents receive the care and support they need to maintain their independence and quality of life.
“I love working at The Sequoias because of the supportive community of residents and coworkers. The opportunities here have helped me grow my skills, advance my career, and build lasting friendships.”
From CNA to RN: Carmen’s Journey in Senior Living Angelou’s timeless words capture Carmen’s natural approach to caregiving. She leaves a lasting impact on residents by building strong, trusting relationships with them. She finds a deep sense of fulfillment in understanding their needs while supporting their health. This creates a sense of comfort and trust that enriches their overall care. An enriching, supportive environment enhances job satisfaction while boosting morale, making it a more fulfilling experience for team members and residents. ‘Community’ is much more than a place to call home. At Sequoia Living Life Plan Communities, it includes everyone living, working, and visiting, creating a family-like atmosphere. This sense of family is especially true for Carmen Saldana, a dedicated team member since 2002.
Celebrating our nurses!
Acknowledgements, Celebrations and Thank Yous. At Sequoia Living, we are committed to living our core Values of Accountability, Caring, and Teamwork every day. Accountability We are responsible to ourselves and others We know and exceed expectations We own our outcomes Caring We are respectful and inclusive We listen and seek to understand We act with good intentions Teamwork We actively look for ways to help We acknowledge and celebrate often We embrace common goals Come Join Our Team!
Senior Center Team Shines at ICAA The San Francisco Senior Center's very own Brandon Mendiola and Queenie Lew from Aquatic Park proudly represented Sequoia Living at the International Council on Active Aging in Anaheim. They presented “Cultivating Inclusive Environments: A Global Approach to Diversity in Senior Communities.” Their passion for sharing why Diversity & Inclusion truly matter was infectious. They highlighted their approach to bringing people together, creating a sense of belonging, addressing unconscious bias, and moving from awareness to meaningful integration. Their dedication called for hours of preparation ensuring that their presentation was not only polished but genuinely valuable. Many team members rallied around them, inspired by their passion and the tremendous impact they are making in fostering an inclusive community.
Sequoia Living Represents at the Walk to End Alzheimer's This past weekend, Sequoia Living showed up in force at the San Francisco Walk to End Alzheimer's. Through a generous donation from Senior Services for Northern California, we sponsored the Pet Area for the walk, providing water bowls, dog treats, human treats, and selfie opportunities, complete with doggie bow ties and hair clips. The Sequoias San Francisco, and the San Francisco Senior Center also turned out with groups of walkers made up of SL team members, residents, and participants. Even some former Sequoians show up to say hello! The event organizers expressed to many of us just how thrilled they are with what Sequoia Living brings to the table as sponsors and walkers. Next weekend, team members and residents from The Tamalpais will make an appearance at the Marin walk!
Cheers! Sequoia Living wins Best Workplace Culture for 2025!