One Company. Three Future Leaders. A Culture Built to Lift Others.
The Aspenwood Company Celebrates Three Senior Housing News Future Leaders Class of 2026 Honorees
Leadership is not a title. It is a commitment to serving others, developing people, and creating a lasting impact.
That belief is deeply woven into the culture of The Aspenwood Company, which is why we are incredibly proud to celebrate a remarkable achievement: three Aspenwood leaders have been named to the Senior Housing News Future Leaders Class of 2026.
Kimberly Varley, Senior Vice President of Human Resources
Julian Criss, Senior Director of Sales & Marketing, Village on the Park Stonebridge Ranch
Brasra London, Assistant Director of Resident Care, The Village of River Oaks
The recognition comes from WTWH Healthcare's prestigious Future Leaders Awards program, which honors exceptional professionals under the age of 40 who are helping shape the future of healthcare and aging services.
As WTWH Healthcare shared when announcing the Class of 2026:
"These leaders are elevating patient experiences, supporting caregivers and driving innovation across the care continuum. Their dedication to excellence sets them apart, and their influence will continue to shape the future of healthcare."
For Aspenwood, having three leaders recognized in a single class is more than an honor. It is a reflection of a culture intentionally designed to identify potential, develop talent, and create opportunities for people to lead at every level of the organization.
What This Recognition Means for Senior Living
The senior living industry is experiencing one of the most important transformations in its history.
As providers navigate evolving resident expectations, workforce challenges, advancing technology, and increasing demand for personalized care, the future will belong to organizations that invest in leadership development today.
Future Leaders recognition highlights individuals who are not only succeeding in their current roles but are helping define what leadership will look like for the next generation of senior living professionals.
These are the leaders who will shape workplace cultures, influence resident experiences, mentor future team members, and help organizations adapt to an ever-changing landscape.
At Aspenwood, we believe the future of senior living depends on leaders who embody three essential principles:
Putting people first
Building trust through action
Creating environments where everyone can thrive
Kimberly, Julian, and Brasra each represent these principles in unique and powerful ways.
Kimberly Varley: Building Culture Through People
As Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Kimberly Varley has become one of the driving forces behind Aspenwood's award-winning workplace culture.
Her leadership has helped create an environment where employees feel heard, supported, and empowered to succeed.
Under Kimberly's guidance, Aspenwood achieved an extraordinary 99% participation rate in its employee engagement survey, a benchmark that demonstrates exceptional trust and transparency throughout the organization.
Her influence can also be seen through Aspenwood's strong employer reputation, including:
4.9 Glassdoor rating
4.5 Indeed rating
Consistently high employee engagement and retention efforts
Expanded leadership development opportunities
Kimberly understands a simple but powerful truth: exceptional resident experiences begin with engaged team members.
Her hospitality background, combined with her strategic HR leadership, has helped strengthen Aspenwood's culture and position the company as an employer of choice in senior living.
Julian Criss: Leading Through Relationships
As Senior Director of Sales and Marketing, Julian Criss has built a reputation for bringing people together around shared goals.
While many view sales through the lens of occupancy and performance metrics, Julian sees something deeper—the importance of trust, connection, and collaboration.
His ability to align frontline teams, executive leadership, operators, and stakeholders creates stronger outcomes for everyone involved.
Julian's leadership stands out because he consistently demonstrates that business success and people-first leadership are not competing priorities—they are inseparable.
His strategic thinking, creativity, and commitment to authentic relationships have made him a respected leader within Aspenwood and throughout the senior living industry.
Julian represents the next generation of leadership that understands sustainable growth begins with strong partnerships and meaningful human connection.
Brasra London: Compassionate Leadership in Action
As Assistant Director of Resident Care at The Village of River Oaks, Brasra London exemplifies the future of clinical leadership.
She combines clinical excellence with compassion, creating an environment where residents feel valued, respected, and supported.
Brasra's leadership is grounded in accountability, empathy, and a commitment to continuous learning.
She has earned the trust of both residents and team members through her ability to lead with confidence while remaining approachable and supportive.
Her dedication to resident-centered care reflects Aspenwood's core belief that every resident deserves dignity, respect, and personalized support.
Brasra's influence extends beyond the residents she serves. She inspires those around her to grow, collaborate, and deliver their very best every day.
A Culture That Develops Leaders
While we are proud of these individual accomplishments, what makes this recognition especially meaningful is what it says about the culture of The Aspenwood Company.
Leadership development is not a program at Aspenwood.
It is a philosophy.
We believe great leaders are developed when organizations:
Create opportunities for growth
Encourage curiosity and innovation
Invest in professional development
Empower people to make meaningful contributions
Celebrate potential before it becomes achievement
The recognition of Kimberly, Julian, and Brasra demonstrates the strength of this philosophy in action.
These leaders come from different disciplines—human resources, sales and marketing, and resident care—yet they share common characteristics that define Aspenwood leadership:
Service before self
Commitment to excellence
Genuine care for others
Courage to lead
Desire to leave things better than they found them
When organizations invest in people, leaders emerge.
When leaders emerge, cultures grow stronger.
When cultures grow stronger, residents, families, and team members all benefit.
Looking Toward the Future
The Future Leaders Class of 2026 represents more than individual achievement.
It represents hope for the future of senior living.
As our industry continues to evolve, leaders like Kimberly Varley, Julian Criss, and Brasra London will help shape what comes next—not only for Aspenwood, but for senior living as a whole.
Their recognition serves as a reminder that the future of our industry is bright because it is being built by people who lead with purpose, compassion, innovation, and integrity.
We are honored to celebrate their accomplishments and grateful for the impact they continue to make every day.
Congratulations to Kimberly, Julian, and Brasra on being named to the Senior Housing News Future Leaders Class of 2026.
At The Aspenwood Company, we believe that when people come first, extraordinary leadership follows. And these three leaders are proof of that belief in action.
Live Life Well®. Lead Life Well®.
Written by – Christina O’Leary