Change of leadership at Episcopal SeniorLife Communities means new opportunities to serve

When Loren Ranaletta accepted a job as president and CEO of Episcopal SeniorLife Communities in 1984 he expected to spend about five years there. 

Ranaletta was going from working for a decade as associate health administrator and chief operating officer at Monroe Community Hospital where he was responsible for a 600-bed operation that employed some 800 workers, to the job at ESLC where he would be overseeing an operation with 142 beds and 100 staffers.

“I figured I could go in and make some changes that would really help, but then I would run out of things to do in about five years,” Ranaletta said.

That wasn’t the case.

Over the past 38 years, Ranaletta has been at the helm at ESLC, leading the agency through an era of growth, adding to its services, locations and staff while remaining focused on the agency’s mission of serving seniors in the community.

Ranaletta — who appears on this year’s RBJ Power 30 Health Care List — does not take all the credit for ESLC’s success. 

“I like to say we’ve built a very strong leadership team,” he said. “We focus on what the community needs and how we can best meet those needs.”

Ranaletta is shifting his role at the organization in early September when he becomes president of ESLC’s Foundation. 

Lisa Marcello, ESLC’s executive vice president and chief financial officer, will succeed Ranaletta as president and CEO.

Marcello has served at ESLC for more than 20 years. Prior to that, she worked at The Arc of Monroe for a decade and spent five years in the public accounting sector.

Ranaletta spoke of his and Marcello’s complementary professional styles. While Ranaletta often has ideas for the organization Marcello excels at getting others to support those ideas, he explained.

He noted that the needs of seniors have been changing over the years and ESLC has adapted to meet those changing needs, whether that be adding more skilled nursing home beds, dementia care programs or assisted living communities.

Episcopal SeniorLife Communities – which was founded in 1868 – has eight campuses with 10 communities and serves nearly 1,400 seniors.

Its adult communities range from independent living apartments and patio homes, affordable housing and assisted living, to transitional and rehabilitation care, skilled nursing, specialized memory care and hospice services.

In addition, its Neighborhood Programs promote health and wellness to seniors in the surrounding areas of our communities, expanding traditional services and allowing seniors to age in their place of choice.

Both Marcello and Ranaletta said they will remain focused in their new roles on advancing the agency’s four pillars: Enriching the resident experience, expanding community opportunities, empowering those who care for others and embracing its faith-based culture.

Marcello said her goals for the organization include navigating it through the changing landscape brought about by COVID-19.

The pandemic has led to changes in financials, health care needs and staffing, all of which she will continue to address. She will also focus on continuing to grow community partnerships. 

“I’m excited to continue to build on the foundation we’ve created with Loren at the helm,” Marcello said, adding that includes filling in the gaps when it comes to senior care, while being mindful of not duplicating services.

Among Ranaletta’s primary responsibilities at the foundation will be leading fundraising efforts to continue to meet and advance the agency’s mission. Areas that could be addressed include the need for market rate senior housing, he noted.

Ranaletta is looking forward to the new role, noting his professional interests in public policy, program evaluation and leadership development will be utilized. 

He can also draw on his ability to connect with others.

“Fundraising isn’t a transaction,” Ranaletta said. “It’s about cultivating relationships.” 

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