Editor’s Note: We are profiling the McKnight’s 2020 Women of Distinction honorees daily through the program’s July 28 online awards ceremony. To learn more about this digital celebration, the Forum the next day (which offers three free continuing education credits July 29) or the program in general, visit mcknightswomenofdistinction.com.

At just 14, Kelly Ornberg started her first job, as a food server for Erickson Living, where she fell in love with residents and became passionate about them receiving the best care — and that passion for the senior living and care industry has been on display since. 

Ornberg journeyed back to Erickson Living after she graduated from Liberty University with a degree in business and corporate communications in 2014. While at Erickson, she worked daily with seniors to help them make the most out of their retirement. She also played an instrumental role in helping open multiple continuing care retirement communities for Erickson. 

Since then, she also has served as the regional director of sales and marketing for Brookdale Senior Living and chief marketing and membership officer at Casey’s Pond Senior Living before being hired in her current role as the chief marketing officer and director of sales for Summit Vista. With Summit Vista, she has worked tirelessly to bring senior living options to the state of Utah, and the company held a grand opening in the state in October 2018. 

Outside of work, Ornberg is an active member of the Women’s Leadership Institute, which promotes women in leadership positions. As a member of the organization, she has helped implement the ElevateHER Corporate Challenge at Summit Vista, which works to increase the percentage of women in senior leadership positions. 

Ornberg also volunteers with the Ronald McDonald House Charities, Young Life and the Park City Education Fund. 

It’s her dedication to seniors, and efforts to empower, advocate for and improve their daily lives, that her colleagues call admirable and noble, and why her work will continue to be critical to the success of those she serves. 

The McKnight’s Women of Distinction program is jointly administered by McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Long-Term Care News. The program’s Diamond sponsor is PointClickCare. Silver sponsors are OnShift and PharMerica, and the Signature sponsors are Acadia Pharmaceuticals and Enquire.