Future Leader: Nicole Puccia, Regional Director Of Operations And Wellness, Monarch Communities

Nicole Puccia, Regional Director of Operations and Wellness at Monarch Communities, 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.

Puccia 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?

Puccia: I entered senior living as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) because I wanted to build meaningful relationships with the people I cared for. I quickly realized that senior living offers something unique; the opportunity to improve not only a resident’s clinical outcomes, but also their quality of life every single day.

Over the past 14 years, I’ve had the privilege of growing from Wellness Nurse to Executive Director and now Regional Director of Operations & Wellness. What continues to inspire me is that every decision we make has the potential to positively impact residents, families, and the dedicated team members who care for them. It’s an industry where compassion and business strategy truly work hand in hand. 

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

Puccia: I would describe my leadership style as collaborative, accountable, and servant-focused.

Early in my career, I believed being a leader meant having all the answers. Experience has taught me that the best leaders ask thoughtful questions, listen carefully, and empower others to develop solutions.

Today, I focus on coaching leaders rather than directing them. My goal is to create an environment where people feel supported, challenged, and confident enough to grow beyond what they thought they were capable of achieving. 

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

Puccia: People will always remember how you made them feel. Whether it’s a resident, family member, or team member, trust is built through consistency, transparency, and genuine empathy. Processes and metrics are essential, but sustainable success comes from investing in people.

When your team feels valued and supported, they provide exceptional care, and that positively impacts every aspect of the organization. 

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

Puccia: Purposeful.

Every role in senior living contributes to something larger than ourselves. Whether we’re improving clinical outcomes, creating meaningful resident experiences, supporting families through difficult transitions, or mentoring future leaders, our work has a direct and lasting impact on people’s lives. 

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

Puccia: One of our greatest opportunities is redefining what aging looks like. Today’s older adults have higher expectations for wellness, engagement, technology, and personalized care, and our industry is well positioned to meet those expectations through innovation and collaboration.

Our greatest challenge continues to be developing and retaining exceptional leaders and frontline caregivers. As resident acuity increases, we must invest in leadership development, create clear career pathways, and foster workplace cultures where people feel respected, supported, and excited to build long-term careers in senior living.

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

Puccia: I believe technology and data will fundamentally transform how we deliver care and operate communities.

Artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, remote monitoring, and integrated clinical systems will allow us to identify risks earlier, personalize care plans, and make more informed operational decisions.

However, technology should never replace the human connection that defines senior living. The organizations that succeed will be those that use innovation to strengthen, not replace, the relationships between residents, families, and caregivers. 

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

Puccia: Future Leaders must be adaptable, emotionally intelligent, and committed to continuous learning. They need the courage to make difficult decisions, the humility to admit when they don’t have all the answers, and the ability to inspire others through authenticity rather than authority. Most importantly, they must never lose sight of why they entered this profession — to improve the lives of older adults and the people who care for them.

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