Voice for the Voiceless: Dr. McKinley’s constant stand for senior care communities is one of the many reasons she is the Haas Award winner

The Paul P. Haas Lifetime Achievement Award represents “commitment, leadership and involvement with broad-reaching impact for the advancement of serving older adults.” It is awarded to someone who advocates for and contributes to older adults within their communities, and it is probably the most notable Distinguished Service Award LeadingAge Pennsylvania gives out.

This year, LeadingAge PA decided to honor Dr. Carol McKinley with this prestigious award. McKinley was once the Executive Director at Simpson Senior Services before being promoted to VP of Operations. And now, she serves as Simpson’s president, and she is widely regarded because of this.

“I have had the pleasure of witnessing Dr. McKinley’s accomplishments for the last 10 years,” Executive Director of Luther Acres Retirement Community Nikki Rineer said. “Throughout that time, Carol’s dedication to the field of aging services stands out to me above most. Carol has an innate ability to go from tackling crucial conversations on the Hill, to education sessions with peers, to a knowledgeable conversation with team members or a heartfelt conversation with residents and their families. One of Carol’s numerous giftings is that she notices what is in front of her and acts.”

McKinley has the ability to adapt to her environment. She knows every type of situation warrants a different approach and a different interaction, and knowing how to approach each situation is one of her strong suits.

McKinley is focused on her residents first and foremost, but that does not mean she cannot find great balance when it comes to heading up Simpson. She is the kind of president who treats her employees right, as well as figures out what is best for the community monetarily. Her keen ability to truly intertwine all of these things is amazing and highly recognized.

“Her financial prowess has seen Simpson become more efficient in resource management as well as grown our philanthropic revenue,” Simpson Senior Services Executive VP and Chief Development Officer Michelle Gollapalli said. “In the first two years alone, she quickly built a strong leadership team around her that has helped Simpson advance its mission in a meaningful way.”

McKinley is all about the cause and she is all about taking care of the good of her people. She shows that time and again, and she has always shown her ability to take charge.

“At UMA, Carol served on the UMA Board of Directors and chaired its EAGLE Accreditation Commission at a critical time of transition for the association,” President and CEO of United Methodist Association Mary Kemper said. “She dedicated countless volunteer hours to not only sustain UMA and EAGLE, but see them thrive. In 2019, she was recognized by her national peers with the distinguished UMA Mission Award for selflessly giving many hundreds of hours to further the mission of UMA and EAGLE.”

McKinley is not someone who does things half-heartedly. If she believes in the mission and she believes in what she is doing, she is all in.

She is so giving of her time too. McKinley loves volunteering and giving back to communities in any way possible. She does this to the umpteenth degree, and the people around her recognize this.

What many people who know McKinley also realize is how much of an advocate and a bold voice she is. She is never afraid to take a stand and support what she believes in, and she has proven this over and over again.

“Dr. McKinley has been a consistent and strong voice in the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey where she has been very active in advocating for seniors both independently and alongside LeadingAge,” Simpson Senior Services said. “She has also testified multiple times on behalf of the seniors that she represents on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Carol acts as educator and leader within the organizations she serves, providing current and relevant information and organizing the collective voice of her staff and constituents for advocacy.”

When it comes to McKinley, one thing is for sure: she cares deeply about seniors. She cares about their safety and wellbeing, and she cares about ensuring they have a voice. She provides that voice for them, as she takes a stand anytime she feels one is needed to be taken.

“Dr. McKinley’s strength lies not only in internal operations, but in being an incredible spokesperson for Simpson and aging services in general,” Gollapalli said. “She is a sought-after speaker on best practices at a national level, and her dedication to advocacy has seen her testify before the House Committee on Aging Services.”

McKinley is a board member for LeadingAge PA as well, remaining committed to making a difference everywhere. She has a strong influence in the senior care community as well as for the senior care community, and she is well-known for her impact.

McKinley certainly cares about what she does as well. She loves being in the position she is in, and she definitely has a heart for the members of her community.

“She is creative and innovative yet practical and concrete,” Simpson Senior Services said. “Carol’s work passion is balanced by her love of her family, enjoying the outdoors, reading, and musical expression. In 2023, she was named to the ‘Top 50 Women Leaders in Healthcare’ by the publication ‘Women we Admire.’”

McKinley knows all about work-life balance on top of everything else, which is why it is always amazing to see the impact she is making everywhere. As much as she cares about her communities, that somehow does not trump her love for her family, and yet it does not stop her from being one of the biggest and boldest voices out there.

“When I reflect on how Carol has led over the years, there are not enough words to truly express what she has given to the senior living industry,” Rineer said. “She is an authentic and courageous leader driven by integrity and who values collaboration and understanding. She has been and will continue to be a game-changer to aging services.”

McKinley has always and will always do what she believes is best and right for Simpson and for aging services. She will continue to stand up for what she believes in, and she will continue to lead by example through her advocacy and commitment.

That is why LeadingAge PA could not think of a better recipient for the 2024 Paul P. Haas Lifetime Achievement Award.