People to Watch Patricia Will CEO & FOUNDER
BELMONT VILLAGE SENIOR LIVING
There were few women leaders in healthcare development when Patricia Will founded Belmont Village Senior Living in 1997. Twenty years later, the company’s service-oriented model has resulted in 26 best-in-class facilities across seven states and in Mexico City, first-rate amenities and hospitality, and nationally recognized enrichment programs. In 2016, Belmont Village’s Circle of Friend’s ® memory program for residents with early to moderate memory loss was awarded the Argentum Best of the Best award and acknowledged for improving the future of senior living. Patricia was inspired to start Belmont Village in the 1990s when her mother-in-law, Josephine, was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Patricia searched for a senior housing option for Josephine that provided the right
“It wasn’t there in time for Josephine but was for Ed,” adds
balance of lifestyle and care but found none. So, she de-
Patricia. “He lived in every phase of our community and en-
cided to create a place that offered the unique blend of
joyed his later retirement years to the fullest. That has been
hospitality, amenities, and premier health care she sought
the biggest blessing for me.” The newest Belmont Village
– a place she would be happy to live.
community will open in Calabasas in early 2018, offering assisted living and memory care.
“My partners and I learned all that we could about all of the conditions that accompany aging,” said Patricia. “We wanted to create a place that would foster a sense of independence in each of our residents, no matter where they were in life. A place where getting older wasn’t the end of the road. It was a new opportunity.” Patricia’s team sought out university-based research in the areas of gerontology, hospitality, dining, consumer preferences, and architecture.
Prior to founding Belmont Village, Patricia was vice president and partner at Mischer Development. Patricia earned an M.B.A. with distinction from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Reed College in Portland, Oregon. She currently serves as a board member of numerous academic and charitable institutions, is a recognized leader in senior living, and has played an integral role in setting standards and shaping industry policy. n
Her personal story was the guiding principle in creating a new type of senior living community, but it would not be many years that she would reap the ultimate benefit of her inspiration. Her father-in-law, Ed, moved into the first Belmont Village community in Houston and lived there for several years.
Belmont Village Calabasas scheduled to open late March 2018 24141 Ventura Blvd. Calabasas, CA 818.222.2600 belmontvillage.com/calabasas RCFE License 197609518
Calabasas Style 71