Synergy 2026 Speakers
keynote speaker: Barbara Khozam
Barbara is an internationally recognized speaker and trainer having delivered over 1900 presentations in 12 countries on Customer Service, Patient Experience, Leadership, and Communication
In 2019 Barbara was chosen as the Top Customer Service Consultant of the Year by the International Association of Top Professionals.
Also in 2019, Barbara was awarded the CSP® (Certified Speaking Professional™) from the National Speaker's Association. Barbara is one of only three women in the world to have achieved BOTH this designation as well as the Toastmaster Accredited Speaker designation.
In 2021, Barbara achieved the Certified Patient Experience Professional “CPXP) designation from the Patient Experience Institute.
keynote speaker: Sarah Aviram
Sarah Aviram is an international keynote speaker, employee engagement consultant and former Fortune 500 Human Resources leader from companies like PepsiCo and Avon. She’s created and delivered leadership development programs, keynote talks, and workshops to over 50,000 people at companies like Google, American Express, and Bank of America.
Sarah’s TEDx talk, “Does more freedom at work mean more fulfillment?” was featured on TED’s homepage and has over half a million views. She has an MBA in Leadership and Change Management from New York University Stern School of Business, where she’s also a guest lecturer on the topic of managing change and uncertainty.
keynote speaker: Andy Siegel
Andy Siegel is an award-winning storyteller and culture strategist with more than 25 years of experience shaping brand, culture, and employee experience programs. Known for blending creativity, strategy, comedy, and heart, Andy has helped Fortune 500 companies and entrepreneurial teams turn values into stories that connect, inspire, and strengthen team culture. His programs focus on helping leaders communicate with authenticity and bring their organization’s purpose to life.
Andy is also the co-owner of Flour Power Cooking Studios, combining his entrepreneurial spirit with his love for creating engaging culinary experiences.
His career includes leading One Ear Up Communications, where he developed storytelling and content strategies for local and national brands. He previously served as Executive Producer of the ACC Digital Network, Executive Producer of Studio Programming for NBC Sports Washington, and worked as a regional and local sports producer and on-air talent.
Andy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Maryland, where he was recognized for excellence in media and later returned as an adjunct professor.
speaker: CHef Mark Allison
Mark William Allison is a chef, educator, author, and advocate for healthy eating, dedicated to empowering communities through food. As a culinary consultant, he partners with national brands as an ambassador for high-quality whole food products. He is also the founder of Fork Cancer: A Celebration of Life, a fundraising event supporting cancer charities in North Carolina.
A former Dean of Culinary Arts Education at Johnson & Wales University (JWU), Mark has worked globally in culinary arts for over 45 years. He has authored 150 Projects to Get You into Culinary Arts, 3 Boys & a Chef, and Let’s Be Smart About Diabetes.
As the Director of Culinary Nutrition at the Dole Nutrition Institute, Mark collaborated with scientists to highlight the health benefits of a nutrient-dense diet. He also developed recipes and menu plans for billionaire D.H. Murdock, owner of the Dole Food Company, and led all recipe development for Dole’s partnership with the Walt Disney Corporation.
speaker: Katy Smith
Katy Smith joined Avesta in 2019 as the Vice President of Senior Living. She oversees the operations and strategic direction of Avesta’s assisted-living communities in Maine – 75 State Street in Portland and Inn at Village Square in Gorham.
Katy is a licensed social worker and geriatric care manager with a wealth of executive leadership experience in a variety of community-based settings, including assisted living, memory care, home care, short-term rehabilitation, and adult day health.
Prior to joining Avesta, Katy held a variety of leadership positions in the senior living industry for nearly 25 years, most recently as executive director at an independent, assisted living, and memory care community in Massachusetts. She holds a master’s degree in sociology and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from University of Massachusetts Boston and has a graduate certificate in gerontology. She is vice chair of the LeadingAge Maine & New Hampshire Board of Directors.
speaker: David Loop
David Loop has served as Executive Director of The Chesapeake since 2017, leading its vision to be the “best in the east” through a multi-year transformation that enhances amenities and strengthens its five-star CMS-rated Health Center. With more than 40 years of experience in senior living leadership, David has held executive roles including COO of Willow Valley Living, Executive Director at The Garlands of Barrington, and President/CEO of Friendship Village of Schaumburg. His career spans over $550 million in development and program growth, driven by a passion for hospitality, culture-building, and mentoring teams.
David has served on numerous nonprofit and state association boards and has been a committed Rotarian for nearly four decades.
A graduate of Miami University in Ohio, he is most proud of his five children and five grandchildren—including a son who has followed him into senior living leadership.
speaker: Gaynon Buchanan
Gayon Buchanan is a dementia care strategist and operator with more than a decade of hands-on leadership in memory care and assisted living. She serves as program director of an all-memory-care assisted living community and is the Founder of Bella Cares LLC, where she helps providers tighten up dementia care delivery through training, workflow design, and staff development.
A certified dementia practitioner and Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care trainer, Gayon focuses on turning theory into repeatable practice, especially around high-impact moments like dining, daily routines, and family communication. She is the author of Grace for the Caregiver’s Heart: Scriptures and Affirmations for Every Stage of Dementia Care and Beyond the Diagnosis, and has presented at regional and national events, including the green cities conference. She also volunteers as an advocate with the Alzheimer’s Association.
speaker: Matthew Perez
Matthew Perez is a seasoned food and beverage hospitality leader with more than 25 years of experience shaping teams, elevating service, and creating standout guest experiences. He was recently honored by Marquis Who’s Who for his contributions to the senior living and hospitality sectors.
A certified hospitality trainer through Forbes Travel Guide, Matt has built his career around raising service standards and developing strong, high-performing teams. His past leadership roles include Vice President of Hospitality at Volante Senior Living, National Director of Hospitality Operations at MBK Senior Living, Vice President of Hospitality at Valeo Groupe, and Executive Chef Partner at TS Restaurants in Hawaii and California.
Matt is also passionate about sustainability, earning the Green Restaurant of the Year Award in Huntington Beach, presented by Senator Tom Harmon. Today, as Vice President of Culinary at Transforming Age, Matt continues to shape the future of food and beverage by inspiring teams and delivering memorable experiences, one bite at a time.
speaker: Chris Aquilino
Chef Chris Aquilino is a culinary and hospitality executive with more than 30 years of experience leading menu innovation, brand development, and enterprise culinary strategy. He has held leadership roles including Chief Culinary Officer, Vice President of Culinary, and Senior Director of Enterprise Culinary at Elior North America, and previously led national R&D and innovation for Compass Group’s Envision Group.
Chris is Chapter President of ACF Charlotte and Chief Ambassador for The Burnt Chef Project, where he champions leadership, sustainability, and mental well-being in hospitality. He also runs Chef Aquilino Consulting, specializing in recipe development, concept creation, and culinary storytelling.
speaker: Shawn Pierce
Shawn Pierce has spent more than two decades in the culinary world, starting in restaurants where he worked his way up from dishwasher to sous chef. He later moved into corporate catering, managing cafés during the day while handling events in the evenings for companies such as Channel 5 News and St. Jude.
Shawn transitioned into senior living as an Executive Chef in independent living, then advanced to a full CCRC where he ultimately became Assistant Director overseeing multiple sites. Along the way, he earned his CDM, which helped propel him into his first Director position—at the same community where he originally worked part-time ten years earlier. Today he serves as a Regional Corporate Culinary Consultant with Ebenezer, focused on elevating food quality and hospitality for older adults.
speaker: Harris Ader
Harris Ader is a visionary leader in senior living dining and hospitality, with over 25 years of experience transforming the industry. As Founder and CEO of the Senior Dining Association (SDA), Harris has created the first and only organization solely focused on enhancing dining programs for senior living communities. Since its founding in 2017, the SDA has united operators and industry partners to improve dining experiences through education, networking, and innovative solutions.
Before launching the SDA, Harris served as Vice President of Dining Services at Senior Living Communities. His hands-on leadership, rooted in operational expertise, culinary excellence, and a deep understanding of resident needs, has shaped high-performing teams and innovative dining programs nationwide.
As a speaker, Harris inspires audiences with actionable strategies to elevate dining services, build strong hospitality cultures, and drive innovation in senior living. His passion for empowering communities and enhancing resident satisfaction continues to shape the future of dining in the industry.
SPEAKER: J.D. Landis
J. D. Landis is a Senior Associate, Senior Project Designer, and Business Development leader at SFCS Architects, where he specializes in senior living design rooted in research, experience, and human connection. With more than three decades in interior architecture and design, J. D. brings a deep understanding of how environments shape daily life, culture, and engagement.
Known for his collaborative style, J. D. works closely with operators, residents, and project teams to create spaces that balance function, hospitality, and long-term flexibility. His work spans new development, renovations, and modernization projects, with a focus on designing environments that support connection, independence, and well-being.
J. D. holds NCIDQ certification and is an active member of IIDA and ASID. A lifelong advocate for senior living, he is driven by curiosity, conversation, and the belief that great design starts with listening.
Synergy: David Koeling
David is the founder and president of Strategic Dining Services, a company dedicated to enhancing the dining experience in the senior living sector through effective management of dining and hospitality.
He is a well-known restaurateur and chef, having established two highly acclaimed restaurants in suburban Chicago. David has provided consulting services for national dinnerware manufacturers, developing innovative designs tailored for senior and memory care residents. Additionally, he advises senior living clients on the design and layout of kitchens and dining areas, along with equipment selection.
Previously, David served as the vice president of corporate services for a major senior living organization, where he managed hospitality, programming, dining services, property operations, and purchasing.
speaker: Patrick Plumadore
Patrick Plumadore is Division President of National Accounts at CCL Hospitality Group, where he leads strategy, growth, and partnerships across senior living and hospitality organizations nationwide. He brings more than 20 years of leadership experience spanning dining operations, hospitality services, facilities, and large-scale portfolio management.
Previously, Patrick held executive roles with Acts Retirement-Life Communities and Erickson Senior Living, overseeing dining, hospitality, wellness, and general services across multi-site organizations. His background includes leading complex operations, capital projects, and service teams while keeping a strong focus on resident experience and operational performance.
Patrick holds an MBA from Frostburg State University and a bachelor’s degree from Johnson & Wales University. He is known for his practical leadership style, deep operational knowledge, and ability to align service, culture, and business results.
speaker: Matthew Ross
Matt Ross is the Director of Operations at Delmanor Seniors Communities. Since joining Delmanor in 2009, Matt has advanced through increasingly senior leadership roles, developing broad operational and sector expertise. His career includes overseeing and supporting Delmanor’s General Managers and Regional team, where he has led large‑scale initiatives and strengthened team and resident engagement.
Matt has built a distinguished 17+ year career marked by progressive leadership and a consistent record of advancing quality, culture, and service excellence. His strong presence and deep knowledge of retirement living continue to elevate Delmanor’s position as a paragon of luxury retirement living.
Matt also has a degree in music and moonlights as a drummer in several bands. As a keynote speaker, Matt is recognized for delivering insights that blend vision with real‑world operational experience. He is passionate about inspiring teams and leaders to elevate performance and create a meaningful impact within their communities.