Editor’s Note: McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and McKnight’s Senior Living are profiling the McKnight’s 2021 Women of Distinction honorees daily July 6 through Aug. 6. To see the 2021 McKnight’s 2021 Women of Distinction awards ceremony, register for free here.
Tana Gall has climbed countless rungs and gone through many different twists and turns in her career path, but ultimately she landed right where it seems she’s wanted most: as president of Merrill Gardens Senior Living.
After starting out as a public relations manager at Leisure Care Retirement Communities, Gall found she had a knack for the long-term care industry and began climbing the ranks. Eventually, she was named president of Leisure Care before becoming president of Merrill Gardens in 2013.
Not long after, Gall started her own consulting company, 2Ten Consulting, with business partner Jason Childers, with a focus on senior living and care. Evidently, the long-term care community missed Gall too much. She was approached by Blue Harbor Senior Living with the opportunity to be CEO not long before the company was bought by Merrill Gardens. She resumed her position of president at Merrill Gardens in 2020.
In addition to her work, Gall is a mentor, serves on the board of the Bellevue College Healthcare Management and Leadership program and participates in the Husky Leadership Institute at the University of Washington. Both of these programs are meant to inspire students, something Gall’s kind and gentle disposition makes her great at.
Gall also is involved in the Argentum Executive Director Leadership Institute.
She describes herself as having the sense of humor of a 12-year-old kid, but her colleagues say they are constantly impressed with her knowledge of the industry. They admire her ability to be both enthusiastic about her employees and residents but also be someone who is passionate about the work she does.
Gall continues to have an impact in her role as president. During the pandemic, she brought more than 30 communities into the Merrill Gardens portfolio and launched a new middle-market brand, Truewood.
The McKnight’s Women of Distinction program is jointly administered by McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and McKnight’s Senior Living. The program’s Diamond sponsor is PointClickCare, and the Roundtable Sponsor is Paycor.
