Future Leader: Joshua Pennington, Regional Vice President, Clinical Services, Distinctive Living

Joshua Pennington, Regional Vice President of Clinical Services at Distinctive Living, 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.

Pennington sat down with Senior Housing News to share what drew him to the senior housing & senior living industry, the biggest leadership lessons he has learned, his 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?

Pennington: It took me a while to find my path. I had experienced success in different areas, but I wasn’t fulfilled. The birth of my daughter led me to reflect deeply on my life and career. What was I modeling as important to her? That soul searching inspired me to pursue nursing. While she understands more nuance now, when she was little, she’d proudly say, “Daddy takes care of people.”

Initially, I thought I’d end up in the ER, but during my clinicals and preceptorship, I spent six weeks with the same patient. I witnessed both triumphs and heartbreaks with her and her husband, and that experience reshaped my perspective. It ignited a passion for building lasting relationships with residents and families, ultimately leading me to senior living. It was the best decision I ever made. I’ve been profoundly rewarded by the wisdom, stories, and lives of the moms and dads I’ve been honored to care for.

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

Pennington: Leadership is the gift that keeps giving. I learn something new every day — from everyone, in every way. The key is staying curious. The status quo can easily become complacency, and those we serve deserve better.

As leaders, we must constantly seek new, better ways to serve. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the power of collaboration. As Ken Blanchard said, “None of us is as smart as all of us.” Surround yourself with smart, passionate people — and be humble enough to admit you don’t have all the answers. Vulnerable leadership isn’t always easy, but it builds trust, fosters honest collaboration, and leads to better outcomes.

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

Pennington: We need to challenge the status quo. While the pandemic has passed, it permanently changed expectations — especially around technology. Residents and families are now more tech-savvy and informed than ever before.

Smartphone adoption exceeds 85% globally. Telehealth visits surged by 38x in 2020 and remain 10x higher than pre-COVID. In Assisted Living and Memory Care, move-ins from paid referrals rose from 49% in 2023 to 56% in Q2 2024, alongside increased website-driven inquiries.

To meet evolving expectations, we must use technology not just to market services, but to deliver exceptional, efficient, and consistent care. Our residents — and their families — deserve nothing less.

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

Pennington: Metamorphosis.

Senior living is transforming. The future is personalized, tech-driven, and wellness-focused — with vibrant communities that emphasize active lifestyles and engagement. As expectations rise, we must innovate in areas like affordability, accessibility, and meaningful care.

As a clinician, I’m excited for advancements in care and wellness. As a person, I’m inspired by how we can make this chapter the most joyful season of our residents’ lives.

SHN: If you had a crystal ball, what do you think will impact the senior housing & senior living industry now and into 2026?

Pennington: AI will be a game-changer.

It will accelerate occupancy growth by improving how we qualify and nurture leads — through predictive scoring, dynamic pricing, and automated follow-ups. AI-powered care management systems will enhance medication safety, behavioral health monitoring, fall detection, and more.

Labor optimization is another critical frontier. Smarter staffing models will reduce overtime and burnout, easing the caregiver shortage while improving care quality.

Beyond operations, AI enables hyper-personalization — tailored activity programs, customized dining aligned with health needs and preferences, and expanded use of AI voice assistants. We’re on the cusp of a revolution, and the more we embrace it, the brighter the future will be.

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

Pennington: There’s no perfect formula — great leaders lead in many different ways, but a few qualities are essential to move senior living forward:

• Adaptability & Learning Agility: Our environment is rapidly changing. Leaders must evolve with it.
• Tech Fluency: Leaders don’t need to code, but they must understand how AI, data, and automation shape our industry.
• Emotional Intelligence: High-performing teams thrive in environments of trust, empathy, and psychological safety.
• Integrity & Ethics: People entrust us with their loved ones and careers. Doing the right thing—even when it’s hard—is non-negotiable.
• Resilience: Leadership isn’t easy. Grit, optimism, and the ability to bounce back are what sustain us through challenges.

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?

Pennington: Give yourself the same grace you offer others.

Early on, I was my own harshest critic — struggling with imposter syndrome and holding myself to unrealistic standards. I wish I had learned sooner that nobody has it all figured out. Vulnerability and curiosity are not weaknesses — they’re strengths.

Worrying is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do, but it gets you nowhere. If I had spent less time second-guessing and more time leaning into learning, I could have accomplished even more. That’s advice I still try to practice today.

Since receiving this award, Joshua Pennington has joined PointClickCare and is currently serving as Senior Manager, Professional Services.

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