On February 7, Rev. Daniel assumed his new role as senior strategic advisor to the organization he has so faithfully served for 14 years.

When he joined UCH in 2010, the economy was just beginning to recover from the Great Recession of 2008 and 2009. It was a time of uncertainty and vulnerability. But Rev. Daniel embraced the challenges UCH faced and immediately recognized that he and others throughout the organization shared a common spirit of compassion.

“What I found when I joined United Church Homes and visited my first community was a palpable sense of caring,” Rev. Daniel said. “I remember thinking ‘It’s here! Now how do we deepen it?’”

The UCH Board wanted change. In Rev. Daniel, they found a servant leader committed to the organization’s growth and innovation. They found a leader who would position UCH to meet the challenges of an ever-changing landscape.

“Throughout my career, I’ve worked with a lot of CEOs,” said UCH Board Chair Karl Ulrich.  “Rev. Daniel is one of the best examples of servant leadership I’ve ever experienced. He never forgets that this organization is, at its core, about people. It’s about achieving results for those we are honored to serve.”

Rev. Daniel and ken Young facilitating the ball drop at the annual golf outing in celebration of The Trinity Community at Beavercreek’s 50th anniversary.

Among Rev. Daniel’s early priorities was ensuring that UCH’s mission, vision and core values were on target, clearly stated and embraced throughout the entire organization.  Simply put, he embedded mission into UCH’s culture.

He also set about branding all the UCH communities as one integrated organization – a dramatic change from the past when each community had its own logo and identity, with little connection to the others.

“Today, we all truly believe and understand that we are servant leaders,” said Vice President of Healthcare Operations Laura Farrell.  “That wasn’t the case before Rev. Daniel.  He is a true leader in every sense of the word and has helped me develop in every aspect of my work.”

Ken Young, who now serves as UCH president and chief executive officer, is also grateful to Rev. Daniel for his mentorship.

Rev. Daniel handing over UCH to new President and CEO Ken Young.

“He contributed so much to my growth,” Young said. “He is a dynamic leader – professionally, personally and spiritually. He is an extraordinary role model for doing things the right way, with compassion and always striving for quality.”

There’s a lot to celebrate about Rev. Daniel’s contributions to UCH’s growth and success.  He cites the organization’s remarkable response to the COVID pandemic as an example of its employees’ resilience and commitment to those they serve.

“We were warriors throughout the pandemic,” he said.  “During the early months – a chaotic period as we learned more about the virus and as the guidance constantly changed – we all came together. Our top priorities were protecting staff and residents through our efforts to limit the spread and ensuring that residents did not suffer from feelings of isolation and loneliness.”

“Initially, we held daily calls with more than 50 key staff to share challenges and successes and support one another,” he continued. “Eventually, we moved to weekly calls – Thankful Thursdays – to continue learning from one another and celebrate the synergy that allowed UCH to thrive despite the many challenges we faced.”

Reflecting on his service, Rev. Daniel cites creation of the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Program as a highlight. The multi-faith clinical internship for developing professional skills in spiritual caregiving is accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE). Celebrating its ten-year anniversary in 2025, the program has evolved and grown as a result of a shift to online learning and virtual meetings implemented by necessity during the pandemic.

Another unexpected outcome of the CPE Program is residents’ response to engaging with students.  It has become part of abundant life at the Trinity Community at Beavercreek which hosts the program.

Another highlight for Rev. Daniel was receipt of a transformational contribution totaling $20 million beginning in the early months of the pandemic. The major donor, who preferred to be anonymous, allowed UCH to increase the Campaign for Abundant Life goal to $45 million – the most ever raised by a UCH fundraising campaign.

“Not every president or CEO embraces a role in philanthropy,” said Vice President of Advancement Gloria Hurwitz. “Donors only support organizations with leaders they trust.  Our fundraising success – and our ability to grow our portfolio of communities and services – is a wonderful reflection of donors’ trust and confidence in Rev. Daniel.”

During his tenure, UCH raised an impressive $93 million dollars, increasing the number of seniors it serves and positioning it for continued success.

Under his leadership, UCH’s owned and managed assets have grown to nearly $400 million, allowing the organization to provide support, through housing and services, to greater numbers of older adults.

Ulrich and Rev. Daniel are both justifiably proud of the trusting relationship between senior leaders and members of the UCH board which has contributed so much to the organization’s success.

“Open communication is critically important,” Ulrich said. “You cannot underestimate the importance of transparency. The strong relationship between the board and UCH’s senior leaders under Rev. Daniel’s leadership has played a key role in positioning the organization for continued growth and innovation.”

“He was the right guy to have at the top of the organizational chart through the challenges UCH faced during the pandemic,” he continued. “The strategic plan jointly developed by the board and senior leadership is a key part of Rev. Daniel’s legacy.”

So, what’s next for Rev. Daniel? When he steps down from his role as senior strategic advisor and fully retires July 1, he and Barbara – his wife of 39 years – will enjoy the many things they love to do together. Their travel plans over the next year include visiting Ireland, Scotland, Japan and Australia.

He looks forward to spending more time with the people he loves most: his family. His plans for an abundant life also include remaining active, with regular exercise in the form of yoga and pickleball.

“I’ll always have close ties to United Church Homes,” Rev. Daniel said. “UCH is positioned for continued success and I will enjoy cheering it on from the sidelines.”

This story appeared in the 2025 spring issue of Spirit magazine: Spring 2025 – United Church Homes

The post A Legacy of Leadership: Celebrating Rev. Ken Daniel’s 14 Years of Service appeared first on United Church Homes.

United Church Homes Announces Leadership Transition

MARION, OH (January 6, 2025) – United Church Homes (UCH), one of the nation’s leading nonprofit senior living organizations, has announced a key leadership transition set for February 2025.

On February 7, 2025, Rev. Dr. Kenneth Daniel will formally step down as Chief Executive Officer of United Church Homes and Radiant Alliance. Ken Young, who has served as President of UCH since July 2023, will assume the role of President and CEO, while also joining the Radiant Alliance as its CEO representative.

To ensure a smooth transition, Rev. Daniel will continue to support the organization as Senior Strategic Advisor through June 30, 2025, before retiring fully. This planned transition concludes Rev. Daniel’s impactful 14-year tenure, during which UCH experienced remarkable growth and innovation.

Since 2011, under Rev. Daniel’s leadership, UCH has nearly doubled in size and revenue. His tenure saw the expansion of UCH’s senior living community portfolio and the launch of innovative services like the NaviGuide service coordination program, providing home-based and digital care for older adults. These advancements solidified UCH’s reputation as a leader in the senior living industry with a growing national presence.

Ken Young brings more than 20 years of progressive leadership experience at UCH to his new role. As President, he has been instrumental in leading UCH’s operations, strategic initiatives, and financial growth, positioning the organization to succeed in an ever-evolving industry. His leadership embodies a steadfast commitment to UCH’s mission of serving older adults with compassion, hospitality and innovation.

“This leadership transition has been carefully planned with unanimous support from the Board of Directors,” said Karl Ulrich, Chair of the UCH Board. “We are profoundly grateful for Rev. Daniel’s visionary leadership and the legacy he leaves. We are equally confident in Ken Young’s ability to lead UCH into an exciting future while advancing our mission and values.”

The Board of Directors also recognizes the dedication of the UCH team during this transition and looks forward to building on the organization’s strong foundation under Ken Young’s leadership.

For more information about United Church Homes and its mission to transform aging, visit www.unitedchurchhomes.org.

###

About United Church Homes
For more than 100 years, United Church Homes has been committed to providing quality housing and services to older adults. Today, UCH is the 19th largest multisite, nonprofit senior living organization in the U.S. according to the 2023 LeadingAge Ziegler 200 ranking, serving nearly 7,000 residents in its more than 90 owned and managed market rate and affordable housing communities in 15 states and two Native American nations. United Church Homes leads with its mission to transform aging by building a culture of community, wholeness and peace for those it is privileged to serve.

About Radiant Alliance
Radiant Alliance is a consortium of nonprofit organizations committed to revolutionizing health care through innovation, compassionate care, and collaboration. Its member organizations—Metta Healthcare (Ohio’s Hospice and Pure Healthcare), United Church Homes and Genacross Lutheran Services—offer comprehensive services that empower individuals and families across the health care continuum.

To learn more, visit RadiantAlliance.org and follow Radiant Alliance on Facebook and LinkedIn.

The post Leadership Transition Announcement appeared first on United Church Homes.