Former Northbridge Exec Joins New Operator Adaptive Senior Living as CEO

A senior living industry veteran is building a new operator from the ground up with a focus on acquisitions and third-party management.

Last week, new operator Adaptive Senior Living announced the hiring of Shawn Bertram as CEO. Bertram, who spent 18 years with The Northbridge Companies and previously was COO of Masonic Health System, will help the New York City-based company navigate onboarding the first communities in its portfolio.

The operator’s leaders have their eye on acquisitions and third-party management opportunities of assisted living and memory care communities ranging from 45 to 80 units in the U.S. Northeast region. Specifically they are searching for communities with “great bones,” single-site locations and owners looking to exit the business or retire, Bertram said.

The operator already has a letter of intent for one community expected to close in 2026 and is negotiating for two others, along with reviewing management opportunities.

Adaptive’s financial backing comes from a family office that shares its long-term approach and has expressed “full support for our strategy,” according to Bertram. Its debt partners are “equally enthusiastic about our early pipeline.”

“That momentum is incredibly exciting. We’re building something special from the ground up — a company rooted in quality, relationships and long-term commitment to residents, families and team members,” Bertram told Senior Housing News.

Bertram brings over 22 years of experience to the company, most recently working as COO at Masonic Health System for four years. Prior to that, he was with The Northbridge Companies, where he started as an executive director before working his way up to senior vice president of operations, where he oversaw 18 communities across New England

Bertram’s goal as the operator’s leader is to improve its newly onboarded communities with new systems, technology and processes and spend time in the operator’s communities as much as possible.

“I’ve spent my entire career in senior living, and my favorite place has always been in the community itself. Our teams will see me often,” he said.

Bertram’s philosophy is that fundamentals such as listening, building connections, fostering open communication, acting with integrity and forming genuine relationships can help turn around operations.Betram plans to focus on small touches, such as calling new employees or sending handwritten notes of thanks to staff who refer friends and family, to build out the company’s culture.

Betram already has a few ideas in mind for the direction he wants to take the company in the months and years to come. He puts a high emphasis on enhanced dining and resident engagement services, exploring new technologies to aid staff and adopting a remote home office model, where team members are expected to visit communities regularly to stay connected to the mission and culture.

Bertram said people can expect something they haven’t seen before in Adaptive Senior Living.

“Adaptive Senior Living will combine the warmth and heart of a local, hands-on operator with the professionalism and innovation of a modern senior living company — all while staying grounded in our mission to deliver exceptional quality of life for every resident, every day,” he said.

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