Kendal at Oberlin CEO Barbara Thomas to retire

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Kendal at Oberlin, a nonprofit life plan community in Oberlin, has announced that CEO Barbara Thomas will retire in February with 32 years leading the organization, according to a news release.

Barbara Thomas (Submitted)

Thomas began her career with Kendal in 1992, one year before the Oberlin retirement community opened to residents in 1993.

Her career in aging services spans 50 years in 2024, beginning just after college, when she took a position working in activities programming at Judson Senior Living in Cleveland, according to the release.

Thomas has been a Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities accreditation peer surveyor for 33 years, the release said.

She’s also served on the boards of Leading Age National, Leading Age Ohio, Friends Services for Aging and Peace Church.

Local organizations served include Mercy Health – Lorain and Oberlin Rotary.

This past August, Thomas was recognized by Leading Age Ohio with an award for Visionary Leadership.

Joan Villareal, chair of the Kendal at Oberlin Board of Directors, notes that Thomas has been an effective leader.

“Barbara has been an outstanding leader for 30 plus years,” Villareal said in the release. “Inspired by a clear sense of purpose and vision, she has encouraged Kendal at Oberlin residents and staff to grow into a premier community.

“While we will miss her guidance, we wish her the very best as she steps off to this next exciting phase of her life.”

Kendal at Oberlin’s Board of Directors is working with a search firm to select the next leader for Kendal’s future, according to the release.

Kendal at Oberlin is a vibrant, diverse, inclusive and caring nonprofit life plan community serving older adults in Northeast Ohio.

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