Kelly Dee

CEO

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States22 yrs 11 mos experience

Key Highlights

  • Designed Empower Memory Care Program across 11 communities.
  • Achieved 93% memory care census and reduced psychotropic use.
  • Hosted inaugural Life Enrichment Summit for best practices.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a leader in healthcare, specializing in memory care and life enrichment strategies.

Contact

LinkedIn

Skills

Core Skills

Memory Care Program DevelopmentDementia Care LeadershipPublic SpeakingSenior Living LeadershipCensus Growth StrategiesMusic Therapy

Other Skills

Long-Term Care OperationsMusic Therapy in DementiaRegulatory Compliance (CMS & State Guidelines)Staff Training & DevelopmentInterdisciplinary Team CollaborationFall Reduction & Safety InitiativesPsychotropic Reduction StrategiesClinical Program ImplementationResident & Family EngagementPublic Speaking & Conference PresentationsMulti-Site & Regional LeadershipLife Enrichment Program DesignQAPI & Quality ImprovementAlzheimer’s & Dementia Best PracticesGrant Writing & Program Funding

About

I’m Kelly Dee, a Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) and senior living executive passionate about creating meaningful, evidence-based experiences that enrich the lives of older adults. With over a decade of leadership in Life Enrichment, Memory Care, and Resident Experience, I’ve designed and scaled programs that blend neuroscience, music, and human connection, transforming senior living communities nationwide. As a Memory Care Expert and Program Designer, I focus on building engagement systems that drive measurable outcomes: improved resident well-being, reduced psychotropic use, and stronger staff and family satisfaction. My career has been built on servant leadership, innovation, and collaboration across disciplines, from clinical teams to marketing and operations. Whether presenting at national conferences or consulting with organizations to modernize their engagement models, I bring energy, strategy, and heart to every project. 💬 Core Strengths & Focus Areas: Memory Care Program Development & Training Life Enrichment Strategy & Resident Engagement Interdisciplinary Leadership & Team Development Innovative Use of Technology in Senior Living (VR, Music Therapy) Public Speaking, Conference Education, & Media Outreach Servant Leadership | Evidence-Based Care | Culture Transformation 🎯 Mission: To inspire a #LifeEnrichmentRevolution, reimagining what joy, purpose, and connection can look like in every stage of aging.

Experience

22 yrs 11 mos
Total Experience
2 yrs 10 mos
Average Tenure
--
Current Experience

Embassy healthcare

Corporate Director of Memory Care

May 2023 – Aug 2025 · 2 yrs 3 mos · Cincinnati, Ohio, United States · Hybrid

  • Designed and launched the Empower Memory Care Program across 11 communities in 4 states, enhancing resident engagement and program quality.
  • Delivered dementia-specific training to 100% of staff companywide, strengthening caregiver knowledge and confidence in best practices.
  • Elevated memory care census from 68% to 93%, driving occupancy growth and stability.
  • Expanded service reach by adding 3 new communities, resulting in a 15% increase in overall program reach.
  • Achieved measurable outcomes, including a 36% reduction in falls, 27% decrease in psychotropic usage (with 3 communities fully eliminating use), and 12% reduction in resident weight loss.
  • Hosted the Inaugural Life Enrichment Summit in Cleveland, uniting leaders from all 55 company sites to share best practices.
  • Developed leadership pipelines, preparing 5 staff members for advancement into senior roles.
Dementia Care LeadershipMemory Care Program DevelopmentLong-Term Care OperationsSenior Living LeadershipMusic Therapy in DementiaCensus Growth Strategies+41

Brightstar senior living of mason

Executive Director

Jul 2022 – Apr 2023 · 9 mos · Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

  • Grew census by 55%, ensuring stable occupancy and community growth.
  • Achieved a record-high 9.3/10 satisfaction rating across residents, families, and employees.
  • Reduced controllable expenses by 12%, reaching the most cost-efficient levels in the community’s history.
  • Secured a deficiency-free state survey, ensuring 100% compliance with regulatory standards.
  • Strengthened overall performance metrics by 20% year-over-year, balancing census growth, satisfaction, and cost control.
BudgetingCommunicationGerontologyEvent PlanningTeam CollaborationSenior Living Leadership+1

Lcb senior living, llc

Memory Care Expert/Director

May 2021 – Jun 2022 · 1 yr 1 mo · Boston, Massachusetts, United States

  • Provided specialized dementia care leadership across 5 communities in the Northeast, improving consistency and staff proficiency.
  • Facilitated monthly 8-hour Dementia Certification Courses, certifying 25+ caregivers annually as a National Institute of Dementia Educators Certified Trainer.
  • Maintained an 85% certification pass rate, ensuring sustained knowledge retention and elevated care delivery
  • Partnered with executive directors to align memory care programming with company standards and resident-centered outcomes.
BudgetingCommunicationGerontologyEnrichmentCredentialed National Institute of Dementia Experts (NIDE) EducatorEvent Planning+3

Senior lifestyle

Director of Memory Care, Music Therapist (MT-BC)

Jan 2018 – Apr 2021 · 3 yrs 3 mos · Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

  • Expanded census from 14 residents to full capacity of 33, achieving a sustained 135% increase in occupancy.
  • Coordinated staff schedules, onboarding, and continuous training programs, reducing turnover by 15%.
  • Directed budget oversight, family engagement, and quality assurance programs, ensuring 100% compliance with care standards.
  • Improved satisfaction scores by creating family partnership initiatives and resident-centered programming.
BudgetingCommunicationGerontologyEnrichmentEvent PlanningTeam Collaboration+2

Georgia health care association

Activity Education Professional

Nov 2015 – Mar 2018 · 2 yrs 4 mos · Georgia

  • Staff educator for the 36 Hour Activity Director Certification Course on the topics of dementia activities, and music therapy.
BudgetingCommunicationGerontologyEnrichmentEvent PlanningTeam Collaboration

The fountainview center for alzheimer's disease and dementia

Director of Creative Arts Therapy and Recreational Services

Jul 2014 – Dec 2017 · 3 yrs 5 mos · Atlanta, Georgia, United States

  • Introduced an innovative Recreational Therapy Model across 3 dementia neighborhoods, shifting from activities to structured creative arts therapy.
  • Boosted resident engagement by 25% in 6 months through evidence-based therapeutic methods.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to integrate therapy-driven programs into daily care routines.
BudgetingCommunicationGerontologyEnrichmentEvent PlanningTeam Collaboration

Seasons hospice & palliative care

Music Therapy Intern

Jun 2013 – Dec 2013 · 6 mos

BudgetingCommunicationGerontologyEnrichmentEvent PlanningTeam Collaboration

Village arts music therapy

Music Therapist - Board Certified, Owner of Village Arts LLC.

Jun 2010 – Jun 2014 · 4 yrs · Atlanta, Georgia, United States

BudgetingCommunicationGerontologyEnrichmentEvent PlanningTeam Collaboration

Fayette county board of education

Director of Choral Activities & Theater

Aug 2001 – Sep 2009 · 8 yrs 1 mo · Fayetteville, Georgia, United States

  • Earned Superior Ratings at state and regional Choral Festivals for 7 consecutive years.
  • Recognized as a top-performing ensemble at the Georgia Music Educators Association Convention (2009).
  • Honored with the “Out of the Box Teacher of the Year” Award (2000) for innovative teaching strategies that increased student engagement by 15%.
CommunicationGerontologyEnrichment

Education

Georgia College & State University

Master of Music Therapy — Music Therapy/Therapist

Jan 2010 – Jan 2013

Shorter University

Bachelor's of Music Education — Choral Music

Jan 1994 – Jan 1998

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