January 21, 2020 —Barbara Thomas, CEO of Kendal at Oberlin has been chosen for outstanding community advocacy by Leadership Lorain County, a well-respected nonprofit leadership development organization. She will be honored with one of the five 2019 “Difference Maker” Awards on February 15th, at the 16th annual Difference Makers Gala and Excellence in Leadership Awards. The Gala will honor individuals and an organization for their remarkable leadership and significant impact on the Lorain County community and beyond, according to news releases.
Forty+ Years of Service in the Field of Aging Services
Barbara Thomas has spent her entire career of forty-plus years in long-term care, most of those years in leadership roles. In 1992, as Executive Director, she held one of the shovels that broke ground for the community of Kendal at Oberlin, which serves 300+ residents in independent living, assisted living, nursing care and memory care. She was named CEO in 2003.
Her excellence in leadership award is the result of not only her work in the Kendal organization, but of her service in the field of aging in the larger community. Barbara’s service to the field of aging includes: United Way of Greater Lorain County; LeadingAge Ohio; LeadingAge Washington D.C.; LeadingAge Leadership Academy; Peace Church Risk Retention Group; Peace Church Health Insurance Program; Lorain County Metropolitan Development Corporation; and Mercy Health.
There were twenty nominations considered for the five “Difference Maker Awards” for 2019. All of which received an extensive review prior to selection.
Leadership Lorain County Strives for Positive Change
Leadership Lorain County, ‘cultivates a diverse network of innovative leaders who envision what the county and region can be, empower themselves and others to deliver positive change, and expand their awareness of community issues and resources.’
The event will take place at the Lorain County Community College, Spitzer Conference Center, 1005 N. Abbe Road in Elyria.