Company: Friends Services Alliance, Blue Bell, PA
Nomination Submitted by: AKCG - Public Relations Counselors
Company Description: Friends Services Alliance (FSA) is a national professional association of values-aligned organizations that serve seniors. For more than 30 years, FSA supports both staff and governing boards of CCRCs/life plan communities, home care groups, foundations, and others by providing a spectrum of professional services specifically designed for our industry.
Nomination Category: Individual Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Female Executive of the Year – Government or Non-Profit –11 to 2,500 Employees
 Nomination Title: Jane Mack - President/CEO
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes, explaining the achievements since July 1, 2021 of the nominated woman, OR written answers to the questions? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video. If you are submitting written answers to the questions for this category, provide them in the spaces below:
- Briefly describe the nominated individual: history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 198 words used.
Working as a consultant to nonprofits, Jane Mack began volunteering on a senior living community’s board of directors, eventually rising to board chair. She successfully transformed the board from being operationally focused to being strategically oriented. Soon, she was asked to serve as interim President and CEO of Friends Services Alliance (FSA). She was offered the permanent President and CEO position in 2008. Since then, she has led FSA, a national professional association for aging services providers, to remarkable growth.
Under Mack’s leadership, FSA has grown to support 80 nonprofits across 14 states in board and organization development, compliance and risk management services, and education in areas such as diversity and inclusion.
Mack brings over 30 years of experience in the field of healthcare. Early on in her career, she obtained a degree in organizational leadership and development from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM).
Mack is a regarded industry expert and regular speaker at national conferences. Her specialty is advising executive teams on board and organizational development, oversight, conflicts of interest, and role clarity. She teaches graduate courses at PCOM and serves as a governance consultant for LeadingAge, the national association of nonprofit senior living providers.
- Outline the nominee's achievements since July 1 2021 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 249 words used.
The aging services industry experienced unprecedented challenges through COVID-19. Recognizing the crisis and the strain on industry professionals, Jane Mack, President and CEO of FSA, successfully adapted services. FSA introduced vital online training on compliance rules, conflict management, and other critical topics. The recipients of these educational offerings greatly benefited from FSA’s quick dissemination of guidance to navigate the rapidly changing industry landscape. Under Mack’s leadership, virtual peer groups were introduced to help providers navigate and cooperate with the changing environment resulting from the pandemic.
Following George Floyd's murder, Mack decisively launched new DEIB initiatives to support senior living communities. This included regular educational modules on topics such as unconscious bias, stereotypes, and cultural differences. FSA also published a Diversity Guide with resources for admissions, human resources, and diversity committees.
Since 2021, FSA has consulted with nearly 50 organizations on board governance – guiding organizations to strike the right balance between insight, foresight, and oversight. Additionally, the creation of “FSA Fast Takes,” a video series on governance and other critical topics, allowed the information to be distributed to countless other organizations. Finally, in 2022, the DON Mentorship Program launched, supporting the essential role of Directors of Nursing by providing mentorship opportunities.
Throughout these changes, she focused on prioritizing employees' needs, preserving their hours and pay, accommodating schedules impacted by home life, and upholding its "Family First" philosophy. FSA’s ability to innovate, coupled with Mack’s steady and compassionate leadership style, has been instrumental in reshaping services for vulnerable populations.
- Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 221 words used.
The attached FSA’s resources are just a few of the many examples of the comprehensive insights, practices, and tools that Jane has spearheaded. These online modules promote effective governance, leadership development, inclusiveness, collaboration, and ethical management within aging service organizations.
Guide to DEIB in Aging Services: This guide supports organizations in creating inclusive environments by focusing on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. It's essential for fostering a culture that reflects, respects, and connects with diverse communities of seniors.
DON Mentorship Program: Tailored to support Directors of Nursing, this program by FSA offers mentorship opportunities that can enhance professional growth and adaptive leadership within the complex healthcare environment.
LeadingAge Learning Hub QuickCasts: Board Engagement, Structure, and Decision Making: A tool for enhancing board effectiveness, encouraging strategic thinking, and building a positive organizational culture.
Principles of Good Governance: A video outlining key principles to build a strong, ethical governance framework.
Creating Your Own Board Assessment Tool: A course to enable organizations to self-assess their board’s performance, driving continuous improvement.
LeadingAge PA Presentation: This PDF titled "From Panic to Paperclips" focuses on the collaboration between the CFO and Board of Directors, highlighting practices that can lead to better financial management and strategy alignment.
Recommended Governance Consultants, LeadingAge: A resource connecting organizations with professional consultants specializing in governance, ensuring a robust and aligned leadership structure.
- Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the nominee's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 244 words used.
Jane Mack's tenure as President/CEO of FSA has marked an era of growth, innovation, and resilience for the organization.
Mack successfully navigated FSA through a significant transformation, expanding from its exclusively Quaker roots to allow a more inclusive focus on board governance and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
In senior living, there has been a call for higher levels of transparency, particularly from the aging population who want a higher level of involvement in organizational matters. Jane recognizes that the leaders at the forefront of these organizations are trying to adapt, and she has worked with these groups to help them implement collaborative decision making. Mack works individually with organizations and relevant parties to understand systems and find a customized path forward.
The launch of DEI initiatives after George Floyd's murder showcased Mack's response to societal changes. FSA's training on topics such as unconscious bias and managing cultural and generational differences allowed organizations to implement meaningful changes. She became more strategic in widening FSA’s industry reach, initiating educational opportunities to expand membership, and intentionally rebuilding the team to reflect diverse expertise. This expertise has been shared both with FSA’s partner organizations and broader at conferences nationwide.
Mack's agility in pivoting support and training topics demonstrated a deep knowledge of aging service provider's needs. Facilitating peer groups allowed providers to combat challenges and receive advice from peers nationwide in a safe space. Mack extended her expertise and guidance to reach thousands of industry professionals nationwide.
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