Future Leader: Ashley O’Brien, Executive Director, Masonicare

Ashley O’Brien, Executive Director at Masonicare, has been named a 2025 Future Leader by Senior Housing News.

To become a Future Leader, an individual is nominated by their peers. The candidate must be a high-performing employee who is 40 years of age or younger, a passionate worker who knows how to put vision into action, and an advocate for older adults and the committed professionals who ensure their well-being.

O’Brien sat down with Senior Housing News to share what drew her to the senior housing & senior living industry, the biggest leadership lessons she has learned, her thoughts on the future of senior housing & senior living, and much more. To learn more about the Future Leaders Awards program, visit https://futureleaders.wtwhmedia.com/.

SHN: What drew you to the senior housing & senior living industry?

O’Brien: Growing up, I was very fortunate to be close to my grandparents. As I was going through college, my grandparents would joke that I should find a career to take care of them, and I was fortunate enough to do so.

The bond with my grandparents created an everlasting impact on my career, as it was clear that Senior Living was my purpose. Early in my career, my mission was to create an environment where people would want to move into a community and I continue to strive towards that every day.

SHN: What’s your biggest leadership lesson learned since starting to serve this industry?

O’Brien: It is important to always have an open mind and to always be willing to evolve and adapt to changes.

SHN: If you could change one thing with an eye toward the future of the senior housing & senior living industry, what would it be?

O’Brien: I think it is important to change the stigma of Senior Living and to promote the benefits of communal living and support services that are available.

SHN: In one word, how would you describe the future of senior housing & senior living?

O’Brien: Evolution.

SHN: In your opinion, what qualities must all Future Leaders possess?

O’Brien: Flexibility, adaptability, transparency and optimism.

SHN: If you could give advice to yourself looking back to your first day in the senior housing & senior living industry, what would it be and why?

O’Brien: Learn from all of the experiences you encounter and always have an open mind.

Every experience, whether it is good or bad, can teach you a valuable lesson that will one day impact a decision that you have to make.  Each experience allows you to develop perspective, guidance and knowledge, allowing you to develop into the leader you want to be.

You will work alongside great leaders, and not-so-great leaders, but each experience will shape what kind of leader you would like to be.

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