NIC Talks, a newly added feature to the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC) Fall Conference, designed to spark conversation about the future of aging through individual 12 minute talks.

Industry insiders and outside disruptors will draw on their experience and knowledge to answer the question, “What do you envision happening over the next 10 years (2016 – 2026) that will revolutionize the aging experience of the first boomer turning 80 in 2026?”

NIC is pleased to announce Lynne Katzmann, PhD, founder and CEO of Juniper Communities will participate in the talks as an industry insider.

 “Aging and it challenges are a natural part of our life cycle. Quality of life in this third stage should be enjoyed to its fullest according to each person’s choosing. There is no reason that a frail body should not allow a life of joy and meaning.”  

Lynne Katzmann founded Juniper Communities, which invests in, develops and operates senior living and long term care communities at the age of thirty-two.  Bringing with her no financial backing, a mere six year’s business experience and a PhD in economics, her mission was to improve the last years of life for seniors.

Katzmann believed that a woman could and should lead this business where the customers—staff, residents and family caregivers—were predominantly women. Her goal was to make Juniper profitable for investors; and as a founder of the then nascent social corporate social entrepreneurship movement, she would adhere to the double bottom line: doing well by doing good.

 Today, 27 years later, CEO Katzmann continues to actively lead Juniper, now with 20 properties in four states, more than 1200 employees, and $70+ million in revenues. Juniper is ranked #14 by Crain’s New York on its annual Top 50 ranking of woman-owned companies for the New York tri-state area.

Juniper’s investors have enjoyed double digit annual returns while her residents, their families and Juniper Associates give the company high marks on annual customer satisfaction studies. Health-related metrics, such as low hospital readmissions, support Juniper achievements with hard data indicators.

Katzmann has been involved in the healthcare industry for almost 30 years, working in the public and private sectors in the United States and Europe. She serves as a board member of several for-profit and non-profit organizations including Senior Care Centers of Dallas, Elder Care Alliance of San Francisco, ArtsConnection of New York City and the Social Venture Network. Katzmann received her undergraduate degree from Tufts University and her PhD from the London School of Economics. Juniper is based in Bloomfield, New Jersey.