March 2025

LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation Makes a Splash During 2025 Institute & Expo

On March 19, 2025 by Ben Hansen

The 2025 LeadingAge Minnesota Institute & Expo brought together nearly 4,000 professionals from across the senior care sector, making it the largest event for aging services providers in Minnesota. With a packed agenda featuring cutting-edge education, unparalleled networking opportunities, and unique moments of celebration, the LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation featured prominently in several ways—engaging attendees, supporting workforce development, and raising critical funds for the future of aging services.

Celebrating Excellence: Caregiver of the Year

One of the most inspiring moments of Institute was the recognition of the Caregiver of the Year, an award that honors an outstanding professional who goes above and beyond in delivering compassionate, high-quality care to older adults. The 2025 Caregiver of the Year Award was presented to Marta Leveron, who works as a housekeeper at Samaritan Bethany in Rochester, Minnesota. Marta moved the audience with her heartfelt story of dedication and thoughtful care for each older adult in her community. It’s clear that what Marta does goes above and beyond cleaning. She is an important part of a care team, paying attention to each resident‘s needs and brightening their day with her smile and thoughtful conversation. Residents she engages with feel cared about, supported, and valued.

An incredibly meaningful moment occurred when Marta was surprised on stage with a $5,000 gift, courtesy of the Gayle Kvenvold Commitment to Caregivers fund, which our Silent Auction supports (more on this below). Marta was clearly shocked, and expressed deep gratitude for the generous gift. 

Fundraising for the Future: Silent Auction Success

A highlight of the Institute was the Foundation’s annual silent auction, which raises funds for the Gayle Kvenvold Commitment to Caregivers Fund. With an array of items generously donated by members and supporters—including unique experiences, high-end gift baskets, and exclusive event tickets—bidders enthusiastically participated, knowing their contributions would make a lasting difference.

We’re pleased to share that we raised over $9,000, a record for the Silent Auction. A sincere thank you to those who donated items and participated in the Silent Auction – your generosity will make a difference in the lives of caregivers across Minnesota.

Quality Education: Equipping Leaders with Cutting-Edge Knowledge

The Institute featured an extensive lineup of quality-focused education sessions, empowering senior care professionals with the latest tools, trends, and best practices to enhance their services. Topics ranged from person-centered care innovations to the integration of technology in aging services, with expert speakers offering actionable insights for attendees to bring back to their organizations.

The LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation played a pivotal role in supporting these educational efforts, reinforcing our commitment to advancing excellence in senior care.

Strengthening Financial Futures: The Fund Developer Track

Recognizing the critical importance of sustainable funding for senior care organizations, a dedicated Fund Developer Track was offered to help aging services providers enhance their fundraising and financial sustainability efforts. Medicaid reimbursement rates for long term care are low and do not allow communities to invest in many quality-of-life enhancements that make a huge difference in resident wellbeing. Fundraising helps bridge the gap. Attendees gained valuable insights from development leaders on donor engagement, strategies for overcoming challenges in today’s environment, and innovative ways to find solutions.

With nonprofit aging services providers facing increasing financial pressures, this track provided valuable guidance and creativity on how to secure resources for long-term success. The Foundation’s support of this initiative highlights our dedication to ensuring providers have the tools and knowledge they need to continue their vital work of caring for older adults.

OnTrack: Training to Strengthen Our Workforce

The OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training program is a state-approved, flexible, online and in-person hybrid training program designed to help individuals become certified nursing assistants (CNAs) developed by the LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation. Throughout the Institute, the Foundation’s OnTrack table served as a vital resource for attendees seeking information on workforce development and training opportunities. Staff were on hand to answer questions, distribute materials, and engage with professionals eager to grow their careers in aging services. Nearly one in five nursing assistants in the state of Minnesota is trained through OnTrack, resulting in 9,000 new nursing assistants!

Supporting New Americans in Senior Care

The LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation is forming an Immigrant Voices Advisory Council to connect Minnesota’s New American communities with meaningful careers in senior care. By centering immigrant and refugee voices, this council will help identify the critical supportive services needed to ensure that New Americans can successfully enter and thrive in senior care careers.

During Institute, flyers promoting this program were distributed, and Kirstan Ketter – our Foundation Project Manager – had many great conversations with employers and employees. These advisory councils will begin their crucial work soon, and we will share further updates in the coming months.

A Gathering of Innovators: Connected Communities Grantees Convene

During Institute, the LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation also convened the five pilot cohort of Connected Communities grantees. This gathering provided a platform for grantees to share progress updates, exchange ideas, and discuss strategies for expanding their innovative models.

While just one piece of the broader Institute experience, this meeting highlighted the Foundation’s dedication to fostering collaboration and driving meaningful change in senior care.

A Transformative Experience

The 2025 LeadingAge Minnesota Institute & Expo was more than just a conference—it was a powerful gathering of professionals dedicated to improving the lives of older adults. Through education, recognition, fundraising, and networking, the LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation made an indelible impact on attendees, reinforcing its role as a catalyst for positive change in the field of aging services.

As the event concluded, the energy and enthusiasm remained palpable. With the funds raised, knowledge shared, and connections made, the future of senior care in Minnesota is brighter than ever. Thanks to the dedication of the Foundation and the unwavering support of its community, the work to elevate aging services continues—stronger, more inspired, and more united than ever before.