Future Leader: Edward Craft, Senior Lifestyle Director, Frontier Senior Living

Edward Craft, Senior Lifestyle Director at Frontier Senior Living, has been named to the Future Leaders Class of 2026 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.

Craft sat down with Senior Housing News to share what drew him to the senior living industry, the biggest leadership lessons he has learned, his thoughts on the future of 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 living industry?

Craft: When I was 15, my dad forced me to play my saxophone with the church choir, who were traveling to senior living communities around the Northwest side of Houston. As a bratty teenager, I absolutely did NOT want to play for “old people” because I thought that they were weird. Again, I was a bratty teenager.

At the third community we were at, I played “Jingle Bells,” and a resident in a geri-chair (with a knitted blanket on her lap) looked at me and yelled the “f word.” Naturally, I thought that was the coolest thing and sat with her and we exchanged all the bad words that we knew. That was my first experience with people living with dementia and I became a volunteer after that. Shortly after that, I volunteered for four years, eventually entering the industry at 19 as an activities assistant, driver, and concierge; quickly earning an activity director role and getting state and national recognition. 

SHN: How would you describe your leadership style, and how has it changed over time?

Craft: Working in activities, I believe the most transformational piece of the role is the relationship that the team has with the residents, so I have always maintained a laissez-faire type of leadership style.

The longer I’ve been in the industry, the more focused I am with cultivating my team’s relationship with our residents because I can do something one way and it can work for me, but another team member can do the exact same thing and it might not work for them. I trust my team in cultivating their own style and bond with our residents. 

SHN: What is the biggest leadership lesson you’ve learned while serving the senior living industry?

Craft: The biggest leadership lesson I’ve learned while serving the senior housing and senior living industry is to always be adaptable! There have been so, so, so many times my activity plan for the day went out the window (circled the block, and even came back!) that is why I always have a plan A to Z!

SHN: In one word, how would you describe the senior living industry and why?

Craft: In one word, I would describe the senior housing and senior living industry as WILD!

You meet so many characters in the industry and as an activity professional – taking on those characteristics and applying it to something useful and purposeful has its challenges but it has been an adventureful ride!

SHN: What do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges currently facing the senior living industry?

Craft: As our society continues to see a shift in online connections, like Facebook, SnapChat, Instagram, etc. and dating websites like Tinder and Bumble becoming prominent places to “meet new people,” I believe one of our biggest challenges is getting younger generations emotionally and socially connected to older adults in person.

SHN: If you had a crystal ball, what do you think will impact the senior living industry over the next 5-10 years?

Craft: If I had a crystal ball, I believe artificial intelligence (AI) and technology will continue to weave its way into the senior housing and senior living industry 

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

Craft: In my opinion, all Future Leaders must be empathetic, have integrity, and must be adaptable.

The post Future Leader: Edward Craft, Senior Lifestyle Director, Frontier Senior Living appeared first on Senior Housing News.