Cassia’s Wilkerson Named Board Trustee of the Year

Posted on February 17, 2022 by Barbara Landeen

Rev. Dr. Gary Wilkerson, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Cassia in Edina, was recently named Board Trustee of the Year by LeadingAge Minnesota.

The award honors a volunteer board member in an older adult services organization whose leadership, service and actions have enriched the lives of older persons and enhanced their community. His commitment to the emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual wellbeing of older adults remains a driving force for Cassia communities.

Wilkerson is a powerful advocate for enhancing older adults' quality of life and supporting the people who provide them with care and supportive services. As the Cassia Board Chair, Gary creates a true spirit of collaboration that is the epitome of what it means to be a board trustee.

Wilkerson's background in working with church boards and counseling helped mold him into an extraordinary leader. Early on in merger discussions, it was agreed that Gary would be the inaugural board chair of Cassia due to his ability to foster understanding and harmony, even when there were differing viewpoints. He also championed a clinical model of spiritual care so that Cassia's chaplains would be well informed about residents' needs and unique requirements.

"Gary's leadership style has resulted in a board that is united around the mission of Cassia and its future while honoring and respecting the long legacy of the two organizations that created it," said Bob Dahl, CEO of Cassia. "His long career in the counseling field allows him to know intuitively when to be a guide, facilitator, mentor, thoughtful listener, advocate, confidante, or coach with the occasional gentle prod."

Wilkerson received the Board Trustee Award at the Institute & Expo on Feb. 9. Join us in congratulating Gary. Watch this award video to learn more about his story and read about all the 2022 Stars Among Us Award recipients here.