A message from our new Chief Human Resources Officer, Mary Kay “MK” Gribbons
Dear Friends of Sunrise,
As I begin my Sunrise journey, I am honored to join the dedicated, experienced Sunrise team who work every day to not only provide the very best in senior living but also in fostering a lasting culture and mission that truly makes the organization unique. In my role as Chief Human Resources Officer, my priority will be learning how I can best support our team of heroes as they continue Sunrise’s 40-year legacy of championing quality of life for all seniors.
It did not take me long in learning more about Sunrise and its amazing history and future opportunities to know that I wanted to be a part of the organization’s next chapter. I recently visited my first community and was struck by the passion and commitment of the team to truly live the mission. In all they do, team members are demonstrating the core values of passion and joy in service. It was powerful to see the love and compassionate care exhibited towards each other and our residents. As a daughter considering options for my own parents, I resonated with the type of environment I would want for my loved ones.
Creating safe, warm, and engaging communities is a testament to the Sunrise team and the already robust programs in place to support and develop talent. I look forward to building on this strong foundation and seeking opportunities to continue to ensure we provide a great place to work for our team. My passion is to develop diverse talent, grooming team members throughout the organization to be the next generation of leaders. Driving and maintaining team member engagement requires a strategy of continuous listening. At Sunrise, we will regularly seek feedback from our teams so we can implement programs that not only support them but our mission to serve and grow.
The former CEO of American Airlines once said that ‘Airplanes take off into the wind’ and I think about that often as I seek opportunities to ensure our teams have what they need to bring their very best to work. I believe what Sunrise has accomplished during the pandemic to maintain the delivery of high-quality care and service in new and different ways required by the challenges of COVID-19 is a testament to the strength and endurance of this great team. Staying true to our mission in the face of so much adversity is an amazing accomplishment, and I want to encourage more serving hearts to find meaning and purpose as a part of the Sunrise family.
Like many organizations, attracting and retaining top talent is one of our key priorities as we emerge from the pandemic. We’ll continue to refine our compensation and benefits package to best support today’s workforce, as well as keep a firm focus on making sure all of our team members benefit from an environment based on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Sunrise has always had a values-based culture built on mutual respect and understanding of differences, and I look forward to furthering our journey to embrace integrating inclusiveness and equity practices into company life through established processes, programs, and daily team member behavior.
My first step as I join the Sunrise family will be to listen. I’ll work collaboratively with our team members throughout the organization to shape the programs and resources they need to continue to succeed. I will also want to hear from our residents and families, what are we doing today that we need to make sure continues, and what opportunities exist to support our team. I am confident in our collective strength, and if we can continue to improve, I know the incredible commitment demonstrated by our team will continue to bring brighter days to Sunrise.
It is an honor to serve this wonderful organization, our team, and the cherished residents that are the reason we look forward to each and every day.
Warmest Regards,
Mary Kay “MK” Gribbons
Sunrise Chief Human Resources Officer
How can I be part of Sunrise?
Sunrise ranks among the leading industry providers for assisted and independent living services, as well as memory care for aging adults. For the latest information about Sunrise and aging topics, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and read the Sunrise Blog.
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