Some people know what they want to do early on in life. Kay Wallin, VP-Marketing & Public Relations, knew and has continued to be passionately involved in the senior industry as she celebrates 27 years with Emerald Communities this month.
After attending college at the University of Montana, Kay chose to move to Seattle to stay with a family friend while seeking a job, and serendipity would eventually open a door for her.
The family friend was on the Board for Horizon House, an urban continuing care retirement community located in downtown Seattle, where they needed an assistant for their Marketing Department. Kay was excited to step into the position and learn everything she could about senior living while at Horizon House, where she spent nine and-a-half years.
While there, she was contacted by the CEO of Emerald Heights who shared that they were building a new Life Care Community in the beautiful suburb of Redmond. She loved the concept of a retirement community where residents would support one another and have a voice to help build a community. This spoke to her heart.
Kay’s industry experience earned her the Director of Marketing title when she joined Emerald Heights in July of 1992, where she rolled up her sleeves and helped execute a massive marketing campaign in the months prior to the community opening. She had a great sales team and was able to help open the community on time and exceed sales goals with 95 percent reserved. She was on full steam ahead, working seven days a week for sustaining the remarkable occupancy at the new Emerald Heights.
More than a decade later, the Emerald Heights Board started to speak about expanding their mission and creating another Life Care campus. In 2004, Heron’s Key began to take shape and Kay was up for the challenge to again be a part of the original development team for creating a new community in the picturesque Gig Harbor.
Kay recognizes what a privilege it is to work in a resident’s new home community, learn of their remarkable life stories and share in their joy of the decision to make a lifestyle choice for enjoyment of a model in retirement living. A marketing expert, she is known for leading, developing and implementing successful marketing strategies and programs and has enjoyed working with stellar sales teams, empowering them to utilize their strengths and develop toward their goals.
Kay’s energy and compassion for the industry is contagious. She is excited for the almost two years of success at Heron’s Key and looks forward to continuing to help grow and expand the Life Plan Community with new residents and their families, celebrating a vibrant new approach to senior living in the spectacular setting of Gig Harbor.
