Leadership

Ken Jaeger founded MorningStar Senior Living on a basic, but profound truth: to honor God in all aspects of our business practices and relationships, which transcends to a superior quality of life for MorningStar’s residents. With a principled approach and adherence to our original mission, MorningStar has enjoyed prodigious growth since inception. As a reflection of that success, Ken was named a recipient of the prestigious EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2016 award in the Mountain Desert region in the Healthcare and Lifesciences category.
    Ken brings over 25 years of operational experience in the senior living industry, including successful startups, acquisitions, turnaround of distressed properties and multi-site leadership. Earlier in his career, he held executive level positions where he was responsible for operating 50 communities in the western United States. From 1998 to 2002, Ken served as
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Matt and Ken were drawn to each other as much by their complementary skills and experience as by their shared calling to serve seniors as they serve the poor in developing nations. (More on that at MorningStarSeniorLiving.com, Serving Globally.)
    Their united efforts have propelled MorningStar to national prominence as a brand that is successfully blending margin and mission. The platform has become a fully integrated developer, owner and operator of first-class senior living communities.
    Matt now serves as Managing Partner of MorningStar and Ovation, MorningStar’s affiliated real estate investment and development arm, which he founded in 2011. Under his leadership, the portfolio has grown to over 30 properties in the western half of the U.S., comprising over 4,000 units for independent and assisted living and memory care.
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Joe Mikalajunas credits his maternal grandparents with his life calling. “There is little doubt that my love for seniors started with my love for them. They instilled in me a deep respect and admiration for older adults.” They taught me that seniors have much to give back to the generations that follow them.
    Thus inspired, it was important for Joe to find a senior living company that mirrored those core values in its day-to-day practices. “MorningStar is such a company, one that lives and breathes service. Whether it is service to seniors, service to each other, or service to God, MorningStar nurtures a culture where team members have the opportunity to make a positive difference in people and the world around them.”
    Joe brings over 22 years of operational experience to MorningStar, beginning
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Seniors have mentored me throughout my life, helping me in times of need with critical decisions. Carrying their words of wisdom, I’ve replayed them in my mind when seeking the best path. My Grandmother Jocelyn was an inspiration in many ways by her modeling of how to give, love and connect with others. She put a lot of energy into keeping our family close, which returned great joy to her and everyone around her. Mine is a deep respect and strong connection with seniors. I’m honored to be in a position that serves them through giving back.”
    Eric’s career in finance and accounting spans over 25 years. Early in his career, at Great West Life, he led a financial analysis team that identified and corrected system issues that impacted clients group health insurance plans. Next, he served as Assistant VP of Budgeting and Forecasting and as Assistant
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Brandon Lesniak joined MorningStar in 2017 as Senior Vice President of Investments, bringing 14 years of senior living experience in development, acquisitions, capital structuring, underwriting and asset management. In his career, he’s operated and/or managed over $4 billion of real estate assets, 500+ communities and 15+ developments across the US.
    “I want to be part of more than a thriving business enterprise. My personal values insist upon it. MorningStar is on such a course. The company makes its priorities clear; upfront, it’s about honoring God. The mission of MorningStar is lived out with authenticity and integrity. It’s put into action. That’s rare, and that struck me at my core.”
    His introduction to senior living started with HCR-ManorCare working in marketing and operations at the communities before expanding to a regional role throughout the Midwest. “While I enjoyed the business model of
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As a girl, Angela Clark noticed that her bike seemed to steer itself to the local nursing home. Drawn to the residents within, she found joy in volunteering and, ultimately, found her life calling. “I am blessed to have been given a career of service that speaks into the lives of seniors when it matters most.”
    In her role as Senior VP of Sales and Business Development, Angela brings over 20 years of operational management in senior housing. Her executive leadership roles have encompassed the areas of sales and marketing, sales training and development, operational strategy, multi-site management, strategic planning and new product development. As an ambassador of growing brands, Angela developed further expertise in business acquisitions and changes of ownership.
    Her career began with Sunrise Senior Living in California, her home state. In
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