02/17/2022

LeadingAge Ohio names Susan Wallace next President/CEO

Wallace brings over a decade of policy experience to role

This week, LeadingAge Ohio announced that its Board of Directors has named Susan Wallace, Chief Policy Officer for LeadingAge Ohio, as its next President/CEO. Current President/CEO Kathryn Brod announced in August of 2021 that she planned to retire following a long career in senior living, corporate finance, and association leadership.

Wallace was selected through a member search committee process facilitated by the Deffet Group, and confirmed Friday by the LeadingAge Ohio Board of Directors.

“On behalf of the LeadingAge Ohio Board of Directors, we are more than confident in the selection of Susan Wallace in this new role,” stated Allison Q. Salopeck, CEO of Jennings in Garfield Heights and LeadingAge Ohio Board Chair. “She will continue to provide strong leadership and advocacy that is necessary to support the members in current and future needs. We are grateful and proud of the work led by Kathryn, who will leave us in a position of strength.”

Wallace began at LeadingAge Ohio following eight years with the Midwest Care Alliance prior to its merger with LeadingAge Ohio in 2014. Wallace has steered advocacy work for LeadingAge Ohio since 2019, serving as spokesperson and subject matter expert for Medicaid reimbursement and other policy issues. She began her career as a social worker with Mount Carmel Hospice prior to stepping into various quality-related roles at the Midwest Care Alliance, including operating a multi-state quality improvement program and advising the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on the development of standardized quality measures for hospices.

Wallace will assume leadership of the organization on March 15, following the retirement of Kathryn Brod.

"I have seen Susan grow over the years into a respected policy expert and leader for our field, and I can't think of a better individual to take over as the next President/CEO of LeadingAge Ohio,” said Brod. “Her expertise, strength, and compassion will serve our members and staff well as they continue to build upon the progress we've achieved."

Brod began as President/CEO of LeadingAge Ohio in 2014. She has been a tireless advocate for older Ohioans and the aging services workforce. Achievements during her nearly eight years as President/CEO include steering the association through four successive state budgets, navigating an ongoing workforce crisis, and leading the association through a global pandemic which struck hardest in the long-term care sector.

LeadingAge Ohio represents nearly 400 predominantly nonprofit providers of aging services and post-acute care around the state of Ohio.