The 2026 LeadingAge Maryland Annual Conference brought together hundreds of aging services professionals, thought leaders, and innovators from across the state to explore the future of the senior living industry.
From leadership development and quality improvement to technology, workforce culture, and organizational growth, several Ingleside leaders shared their expertise on the latest trends and challenges happening across the sector. Their participation reflected Ingleside's ongoing commitment to advancing innovative, person-centered approaches that strengthen the aging services profession.
"It was gratifying bringing over 350 changemakers to LeadingAge Maryland's Annual Conference," said Allison Ciborowski, President & CEO of LeadingAge Maryland. "From thought-provoking keynotes to insightful sessions, there's something special that happens when aging services professionals rally around a common goal.” While each keynote session offered a unique perspective, several common themes emerged throughout the conference.
Tech Innovation in Senior Living Must Enhance Human Connection
Technology continues to reshape senior living, but conference discussions reinforced that successful innovation in the sector is more about supporting people, and less about replacing them with AI.
Liz Keller, Resident Technology Engagement Manager at Ingleside, weighed in on this topic during her session, Efficiency Meets Empathy: Using Technology and AI to Support Your Community. The presentation highlighted how thoughtfully implemented technology can streamline operations, improve access to information, and create more meaningful experiences for residents and team members alike.
“Being able to engage directly with other communities and share how Ingleside has been thoughtfully and intentionally navigating this new space was a rewarding experience,” she shared.
The conversation reflected a growing industry focus on balancing innovation with the personalized service and human connection that remain at the heart of senior living.
Building Strong Cultures Requires Investment in People
As organizations navigate workforce challenges and changing demographics, creating inclusive and supportive workplace cultures remains a critical priority.
Kate Kavitski, the Westminster Ingleside Foundation’s Director of Development, addressed this topic during her presentation, Building Culture with a Global Workforce, where she explored strategies for fostering engagement, belonging, and collaboration among diverse teams.
The discussion reinforced that strong organizational cultures are essential not only for employee satisfaction, but also for delivering exceptional resident experiences.
“It was inspiring to hear from other communities that are also investing in their international workforce and creating pathways to citizenship, education, and career growth,” Kate shared.
Leadership and Excellence Remain Essential to the Future of Aging Services
Additional presentations from Jamie Spencer, Chief Financial and Growth Officer, and Cody Christian, Director of Accreditation and Quality Improvement, highlighted the importance of strategic leadership, continuous improvement, and inclusive excellence in meeting the evolving needs of older adults.
Spencer shared insights during his session, Leadership: Looking Ahead and Beyond, while Christian presented Inclusive Excellence Accreditation: Lessons Learned from the Field. As one of the founding developers of the Inclusive Excellence Accreditation (IEA) program, Christian provided attendees with an inside look at the development of the accreditation framework, key lessons learned during implementation, and strategies organizations can use to advance inclusion, belonging, and equitable service delivery.
Christian also highlighted Ingleside's leadership in the initiative, noting that all three Ingleside communities were among the first organizations in the nation to achieve Inclusive Excellence Accreditation, demonstrating a strong organizational commitment to fostering welcoming, inclusive, and resident-directed communities.
Together, these sessions reinforced a common theme throughout the conference: the future of aging services depends on leaders who are willing to innovate, adapt, and intentionally cultivate cultures where every resident, employee, and stakeholder feels valued, respected, and empowered.
Celebrating Community and Collaboration
Beyond the educational sessions, the conference served as a reminder that advancing aging services requires collaboration and a shared commitment to enhancing the lives of older adults. The event concluded with a performance by the Ingleside at King Farm Chamber Singers, whose talent and enthusiasm left a lasting impression on attendees.
“By far, one of the highlights was the Ingleside at King Farm resident choir. Their performance was nothing short of spectacular and attendees are still raving about it," Allison shared.
As Ingleside continues to innovate and lead within the senior living industry, the organization hopes to continue contributing to conversations that help shape the future of aging services and progress the industry forward.
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