Jennifer Pfeffer, Senior Regional Director of Operations at Ecumen, Receives Leadership Award

Posted on February 25, 2020 by Jodi Boyne

Visionary Leader. Consummate professional. Highly skilled operator. Those words define Jennifer Pfeffer, Senior Regional Director of Operations at Ecumen, who was recently honored by LeadingAge Minnesota with the Kal Michels Outstanding Leadership Award.  

“Jennifer leads with vision and intention. She is a role model and generous mentor who has devoted her career to ensuring that older adults have the highest quality care, services and support,” said Gayle Kvenvold, President and CEO, LeadingAge Minnesota. “Jennifer’s integrity and high standards inspire excellence for everyone on her team and sets the example for all in the field of aging services to follow.”

The Kal Michaels Outstanding Leadership Award recognizes a leader in aging services who has provided excellent leadership to their staff and organization, enhances the quality of life for the residents in the community, and provides exceptional community service.

Pictured (l to r):Sara Sterling, Chair, LeadingAge Minnesota Awards & Recognition Committee; Nancy Stratman, Board Chair, LeadingAge Minnesota; Jennifer Pfeffer; Gayle Kvenvold, President & CEO, LeadingAge Minnesota.

Jennifer served as the Executive Director of Ecumen Pathstone Living in Mankato for 15 years, where she transformed a stand-alone nursing home into a continuum of care campus that is recognized as a model of best practices and for its exceptional performance, top customer and employee satisfaction, and community engagement. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services consistently gives Ecumen Pathstone a five-star quality rating and the organization has been voted as the best senior care setting in Mankato for five years in a row.

“Jennifer is a team-builder and collaborator who is always looking to the future and how to make it better for the people we serve. She puts the resident experience first and is motivated by a genuine desire to serve more people in more meaningful ways,” said Shelley Kendrick, President & CEO, Ecumen.

Jennifer is a recognized leader in the field of aging services and an active community volunteer. She serves on the Minnesota Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators and on various LeadingAge Minnesota committees and task forces. A lifelong resident of Mankato, Jennifer received the Women of Distinction award from the YWCA of Mankato, where she served as president and was a member of the board. She is a Rotary Club member and past president and has served as board member and secretary/treasurer of Greater Mankato Growth.

Watch Jennifer Pfeffer – Kal Michaels Leadership Award.