Future Leader: Sarah Marr, Executive Director, Thrivemore

Sarah Marr, Executive Director at ThriveMore, 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.

Marr 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?

Marr: I wish I had a more inspiring answer, but I moved to a new city and needed a job. I saw an opening for a sales position at a senior living community, applied, and got the job. What I didn’t expect was to fall in love with the work.

It didn’t take long for me to realize this industry is about so much more than housing. It’s about relationships, purpose, and helping people continue to live meaningful lives. The residents quickly began to feel like family, and I was inspired by the staff who dedicate themselves every day to making this stage of life joyful, fulfilling, and full of dignity.

That unexpected career move turned into a calling, and it’s the people, both residents and team members, who continue to keep me here.

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

Marr:  I would describe my leadership style as engaging, connecting, and people-centered. I believe that when people feel seen, valued, and connected to a shared purpose, they do their best work. Whether I’m working with residents, families, or team members, I try to build genuine relationships first because trust is the foundation of great leadership.

I also believe leadership is about creating an environment where others can succeed. I enjoy bringing people together, listening to different perspectives, and helping individuals recognize the strengths they bring to the team. Rather than focusing solely on processes or outcomes, I try to understand what motivates people and remove barriers that prevent them from thriving.

Over time, my leadership style has become less about having all the answers and more about asking the right questions. As I’ve grown, I’ve learned that the best ideas often come from the people closest to the work. I spend more time listening, empowering others to make decisions, and creating opportunities for people to grow. I’ve found that investing in people not only produces better results but also builds stronger teams and a more positive culture.

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

Marr: The biggest leadership lesson I’ve learned is the importance of being flexible. In senior housing, no two days are ever the same. You can start the morning with a well-planned schedule and, within an hour, be responding to a resident emergency, a staffing challenge, a weather event, or something no one could have anticipated.

There have been more times than I can count when our team has looked at each other and said, “We couldn’t have thought of this in our wildest dreams.” And then we figure it out. We adapt, lean on one another, and keep moving forward because our residents are counting on us.

I have learned that flexibility is one of the most important qualities in a leader, and one of the first things I look for when hiring new team members. Skills can be taught, but the ability to stay calm, adjust quickly, solve problems, and maintain a positive attitude when plans change is invaluable. In an industry centered on caring for people, adaptability isn’t just a nice quality to have, it’s essential.

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

Marr: Humbling.

Every day in senior living reminds me how much there is to learn, not just as a leader, but as a human. While each day brings a unique set of challenges, it also brings opportunities to serve a generation that has lived extraordinary lives. I have the privilege of hearing stories of resilience, sacrifice, love, and accomplishment that put my own perspective into focus.

It’s humbling to know that, during one of the most important chapters of someone’s life, our team has the opportunity to make a meaningful difference. That responsibility is something I never take for granted, and it’s what makes this work so rewarding.

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

Marr: One of the biggest opportunities facing the senior housing and senior living industry is changing the way people think about aging. Today’s older adults are living longer, staying active, and looking for communities that offer purpose, connection, and choice, not just care. We have the opportunity to redefine senior living by creating communities where people don’t simply live longer, they continue to grow, contribute, build meaningful relationships, and find purpose every day.

At the same time, one of our greatest challenges is building and retaining exceptional teams. The quality of a senior living community is ultimately determined by the people who serve in it every day. Recruiting team members with both the heart for service and the resilience to thrive in a fast paced, ever changing environment is becoming difficult. We have to be intentional about creating workplaces where people feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow.

I believe that if we continue investing in our people, they will continue investing in our residents. When we build a strong culture for our team, everyone benefits from the employees to the residents and their families. 

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?

Marr: If I had a crystal ball, I think the biggest changes over the next five to ten years will be driven by the expectations of the next generation of older adults. They will continue to seek communities that offer independence, purpose, wellness, and meaningful experiences rather than just a place to receive care. Senior living providers who embrace that shift and continue to create vibrant, connected communities will be well positioned for the future.

I also believe technology will play an increasingly important role in improving operations, communication, and resident care. While technology can help us work more efficiently, I don’t believe it will ever replace the human connection that is at the heart of this industry. The relationships between residents, families, and team members are what make senior living special, and I think those relationships will become even more valuable as technology continues to evolve.

I think our industry’s greatest differentiator will continue to be its people. Communities that invest in developing leaders, supporting their teams, and building a strong culture will be the ones that thrive. No matter how much our industry changes, compassionate people caring for other people will always be at the center of what we do.

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

Marr: I believe the best Future Leaders will be those who know how to bring people together around a shared purpose. Technical skills and industry knowledge are important, but they can be taught. Qualities like character, resilience, curiosity, and emotional intelligence are what set great leaders apart.

Future Leaders must be willing to listen before they lead, remain flexible when circumstances change, and have the confidence to make decisions even when the path isn’t perfectly clear. They also need to create environments where people feel valued, challenged, and empowered to do their best work.

Above all, I believe Future Leaders must have a servant’s heart. Leadership isn’t about being the most important person in the room, it’s about helping others succeed. The leaders who will have the greatest impact are the ones who invest in people, build trust, and leave every team stronger than they found it.

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