Homegrown Tomatoes Advance to the KaO Leadership Team

Kendal at Oberlin has recently promoted two new directors for the life plan community’s leadership team. It’s great to see staff members grow professionally and take on new responsibilities. We call those who advance in their professional careers at Kendal our “Homegrown Tomatoes.”

In November 2023, Lisa Wilken was promoted to Director of Hospitality Services. And just this month, Ryan Stalzkowski was named the Director of Facility Services. Congratulations to both of you!


Lisa Wilken – Director of Hospitality Services

Lisa has served as Sous Chef, Langston Manager. She was Kendal at Oberlin’s Dining Room Operations Manager prior to taking the interim director’s position in September. She has raised staff morale, and enabled a number of promotions for key staff members. She has partnered readily with The Kendal Corporation’s Operations/Culinary Director, Christian Ramsey, to implement improvements and changes to benefit our culinary program. As Director of Hospitality Services, Lisa is responsible for both Dining Services and Housekeeping. 

As she marks her 16th year with Kendal in January, Lisa’s is just beginning with this new career challenge as she continues to raise the bar on our culinary quality and services.  She is a past graduate of The Kendal System’s Leadership Fellows Program and is a true “homegrown tomato” in the best of Kendal at Oberlin’s traditions.


Ryan Stalzkowski – Director of Facility Services

On January 10th, 2024, Ryan Stalzkowski was named Director of Facility Services. Ryan joined Kendal in 2003 as Grounds Manager. During his tenure he’s brought greater resident satisfaction to the Kendal landscape through his organizational and technology skills and his collaboration with residents.

With Ryan’s construction and home remodeling knowledge, he was promoted to Operations Manager in 2011, managing unit turnovers and overseeing project management of new building and renovations. At that time, he was given oversight of Grounds, Maintenance, and Transportation. He partners with Sales & Marketing staff, updating and renovating cottages for new residents before they move to Kendal.

Ryan is also a graduate of the Kendal Leadership Fellows program and in 2017, he received designation of Facility Management Professional from the International Facility Management Association. Many who know and work with him agree Ryan is a great role model for our Kendal Values.


Best wishes to both of you in your new roles!

About Kendal at Oberlin: Kendal is a nonprofit life plan community serving older adults in northeast Ohio. Located about one mile from Oberlin College and Conservatory, and about a 40 minute drive from downtown Cleveland, Kendal at Oberlin offers a vibrant resident-led lifestyle with access to music, art and lifelong learning.

We are Hiring!


A career working with older adults can be inspiring. And Kendal at Oberlin is a great place to work! Join us!