Editor’s Note: McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care are profiling the McKnight’s 2022 Women of Distinction honorees daily July 5 through Aug. 10. For additional McKnight’s Women of Distinction content, visit this page.
Beginning as an intern at Touchmark in 2007, Anne-Marie Fitz rose through several jobs, gaining increased responsibility of various departments like dining services and wellness, before her promotion to executive director of Touchmark at Harwood Groves in 2020.
In all of Fitz’s positions, her genuine and thoughtful leadership was outstanding, according to colleagues. Within Touchmark and its entire North Dakota region, she is known and respected for her calmness, compassion, integrity and creativity.
Fitz’s outside initiatives set her apart from others in the senior living world. A patron of the arts and a champion of local businesses, she has worked with multiple local artists to showcase their art at Touchmark. She also fostered a partnership with Eagles Elementary School, building intergenerational relationships between residents and students. In addition, Fitz started a program for residents to collect and donate toys, diapers and other supplies for The Nokomis Child Care Centers for children with special needs.
The Touchmark Choir, the Touchmark Rock Band, a St. Patrick’s Day pub crawl, and a speed-dating event for 70- to 90-year-olds are other initiatives she created in an effort to improve Touchmark at Harwood Groves.
A graduate of North Dakota State University, Fitz has kept great relations with her alma mater through an internship partnership with NDSU students, helping the next generation discover their passion for senior living at Touchmark.
She is a steadfast supporter of the Alzheimer’s Association, and under her direction, Touchmark participates in The Longest Day and Walk to End Alzheimer’s as well as constant fundraising throughout the year.
“She has handled these new responsibilities with grace, grit and positivity,” said Kari Dick, regional vice president and a former executive director at Touchmark. “She is constantly looking to raise the bar on what is expected in senior living.”
Fitz earned her undergraduate degree in child development and family science with a minor in gerontology at NDSU. Following graduation, she worked as an event coordinator at the Plains Art Museum before starting her career with Touchmark.
The McKnight’s Women of Distinction program is jointly administered by McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care. The program’s Diamond sponsor is PointClickCare. Silver sponsors include OnShift and PharMerica, and the Bronze sponsor is Reliant Rehabilitation. Table sponsors included Dreamscape, Gojo/Purell and Sound Physicians.
