SOULcial Salute March 2025
Georgene Connelly, MBA, Senior Living Consultant – The Waters of Plymouth
Caring Born of Compassion
Growing up in New York City, Georgene spent time in front of her building with older adults, making it easy for her mom to find her after school. All she had to do was look out the window of their apartment and spot Georgene sitting on one of the benches, next to an older adult. Her mom knew to look there because Georgene loved spending time with seniors.
Georgene recalled, “I always wanted to learn, and the older folks would always answer my questions.” She added, “They had so much wisdom and so many stories. I was fascinated by how they walked, talked, and especially how respectfully they treated people.”
Parents and Grandmother Led By Example
“My grandmother was a huge influence on me, and I spent a lot of time with her,” Georgene shared. Her grandmother was a teacher and principal—a perfect match for both of them. Among many lessons, Georgene solemnly recalled her grandmother always reminding her, ‘Help someone along the way!’
Her parents were also driven to learn and achieve. Georgene’s mom was a dedicated nurse, while her dad had multiple talents—as an accountant, artist, and MENSA member. “He was a genius!” she recalled. “After work, he would always sit down and complete the New York Times crossword puzzle in pen. Then, he’d move on to whatever project he was working on at the time.”
Striving for Excellence Became Her Norm
In her professional life, Georgene found her place at IBM. The company’s culture of excellence suited her perfectly. She thrived on the challenge of always doing her best with excellence.
Managing sales and marketing teams, she advanced through multiple positions and achievements, traveling all over the United States.
After her years at IBM, Georgene pursued her MBA at the U of M Carlson School of Management. She anticipated further corporate growth, but a volunteer opportunity unexpectedly shifted her focus toward working with older adults.
Working with Older Adults Felt Like Coming Home
That volunteer position was at the former Claire Bridge in Plymouth, an all-memory-care community. Georgene loved working with the seniors. She became so engaged in reading stories and looking through photo albums with residents that she nearly missed meetings at times.
Senior Living Came into View
After completing her MBA, Georgene spent a year with Care Options Network in Minneapolis. There, she worked in membership sales and helped develop and edit the well-known GuideBook and Directory publication.
This role gave her a broad perspective of the entire senior services industry, allowing her to evaluate various communities and services at an accelerated pace.
The Pursuit of Excellence
In the spring of 2015, Georgene discovered The Waters and was drawn to its exceptional quality, service, and culture. She hasn’t looked back since.
Now, with over a decade in a sales and marketing role, she continues to excel. Longevity like hers is rare in today’s workforce, a testament to both her dedication and The Waters’ outstanding workplace environment.
She described what she loves most about her work: “I love inviting clients into my consultation room, closing the door, and just listening. The biggest hurdle is helping them feel confident that they are making the right decision.” Georgene added, “Caregivers are often exhausted and just need to know that someone will take the time to hear them and know them.
Dedication to Residents and the Company
When corporate once asked Georgene to present at a conference on how to choose a senior living community, she took a unique approach. She enlisted four residents to help plan and participate in a panel discussion. The residents became so engaged in the project that it was a tremendous success. Most importantly, it lifted their spirits. It gave them purpose and utilized their dormant skills!
“It’s not just a job,” Georgene insisted. “I get to impact people’s lives! That is what my parents, Grandmother and other older adults did for me.”
Contributing to Professional Development
Beyond serving her clients and residents, Georgene has dedicated countless hours over the past decade to various professional organizations. For a number of years she has been the President of the Minneapolis Area Senior Workers Association. She also leads The 100% Club, a network of over 20 senior living communities that support one another in the western suburbs.
Additionally, she served a few terms on the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management Alumni Board.
It’s Just Heartwarming
Senior living communities are full of heartwarming and often humorous moments. Chuckling, Georgene said, “You just can’t make this up!”
She continued, “Every single day, I find joy—and I help others find it too. We feel like one big family-out to help each other. It’s so heartwarming.”
What’s Ahead
When asked about the biggest challenges in the senior living industry, Georgene didn’t hesitate.
“We need to do more to powerfully convey the needs of older adults to everyone in and outside this field,” she said. “This applies to all of us—because everyone ages!”
She concluded, “We ALL owe our older adults a debt of gratitude that we can never fully repay. In the end, it’s all about delivering excellent service and hospitality. We all need to help someone along the way.”