Future Leader: Paulina Komperda, Interior Design Manager, Vi

Paulina Komperda, Interior Design Manager at Vi, 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.

Komperda 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?

Komperda: To be honest, it was not my intention to end up in the senior living industry. It sort of fell onto my lap and I fell in love with it. 

I started at Vi as an intern and liked it so much that I stayed for 13 years. Working in the senior living industry satisfies my longing for problem solving and allows me to touch so many different types of spaces and aspects of design. It truly is a perfect mix of residential, healthcare and hospitality in one.  

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

Komperda: My leadership style is solution-based. I tend to focus on what solutions we have to problems instead of focusing on the problem itself or who caused it. This helps move things forward and not dwell on human errors.  

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

Komperda: Perfection doesn’t exist in the design world. We can only try our best to provide the best solutions to design problems, but things happen, and being flexible is the best approach we can take to finish the project.  

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

Komperda: Evolving. 

Code-related changes happen often, regulatory agencies develop more stringent requirements, and new research affects design so much that we are constantly trying to keep up with all the requirements, specifically for our Care Centers.

Design trends are also ever evolving, and even though we tend to be ahead of most design trends, our aesthetics eventually get dated and we evolve.

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

Komperda: In this post-COVID era, I think there are a lot of opportunities in utilizing more outdoor spaces to encourage more socialization and wellness programs. We have also been shifting to offering more flexible spaces so that functions are shared and energy levels are brought back into some of those idle spaces.

Our current challenges are mostly cost-related due to high material and labor costs. In the last decade, we have also noticed furniture being less durable and poor customer service that makes it especially challenging to find quality pieces that look good, but that will also last. 

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?

Komperda: With the rise of baby boomers entering the senior living industry, we have an opportunity to shift design to meet their needs. This focus is more on open concepts, using biophilic design inspiration, and offering residential style amenities, instead of institutionalized concepts.

AI and enhanced technology will also play a role in how we design, especially how it affects equipment, automation, and health monitor tracking.  

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

Komperda: Having clear communication, integrity, and adaptability are key to being a great leader.

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