Meet Westerwood’s Leadership Team: Part 1
What makes Westerwood one of Columbus’ friendliest senior living communities? Ask any resident or staff member, and they’ll tell you it’s the people. Behind every bright smile and warm hello is a person who brings passion and years of experience to their role every day. Many of our leaders have served the community for years—and some for decades.
That kind of longevity builds trust, creates stability and inspires a culture where seniors can enjoy retirement to the fullest. Learn more about Westerwood’s leadership team, their unique stories and how they create a pretty special place for residents to call home.
Lisa Burkhart, Executive Director
Years of service: 14
Lisa oversees daily operations, care quality and strategic planning at Westerwood, but her favorite part of coming to work is creating meaningful moments with residents.
Raised in a family that owned senior care communities, she bonded easily with seniors at a young age. That early foundation still shapes how she leads today—with empathy and kindness for all. “It has never felt like work,” she says. “It feels like home.”
One of her favorite daily moments? Lobby Chats with the Lounge Lizard—a simple hello with a resident that turned into an ongoing routine filled with jokes, football banter and shared stories. Before long, others joined in, and now the lobby is a fun spot to mingle.
Lisa also enjoys helping residents stay connected through technology. She partnered with the Community Engagement program to bring Echo smart assistants to the community, which give residents simple voice access to schedules, announcements, music and reminders to make everyday communication feel even easier and engaging.
Favorite motto: “People won’t always remember what you did, but they’ll always remember how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou
Shawn Kiser, Director of IT
Years of service: 5
Shawn Kiser keeps Westerwood’s technology running smoothly so staff and residents stay connected. But for him, it’s about more than just systems and software; he sees technology as a way to build relationships and make life easier. “For residents, Westerwood is a place to begin a joyful new chapter without worry. For staff, it’s a team working together to make that possible,” he says.
Shawn was drawn to senior living out of deep respect for the wisdom and stories of older adults, as well as a desire to do work that truly matters. He loves that every day is different and that he gets to be part of a community where people genuinely care about each other.
Favorite motto: “Things are only impossible until they are not.” -Jean-Luc Picard, Star Trek
Aubrey Eley, Administrator of Assisted Living and Rehabilitation
Years of service: 13
Aubrey Eley found her passion for senior living through community service in high school and hasn’t looked back since. She began her journey at Westerwood as a college intern and quickly felt at home. After graduation, she joined the team full time and stepped into the administrator role, where she oversees assisted living and rehabilitation services.
Aubrey describes Westerwood as a close-knit community. “Everyone greets each other, even if it’s the fifth time that day. You won’t find a more welcoming community,” she says. For her, the best part is connecting with residents, families, staff and knowing she’s making a difference.
“If you’re doing what is right for the resident, it’s the right thing to do.” –Aubrey Eley
Laura Chanak, Director of Accounting
Years of Service: 12
Laura Chanak has spent her entire career working in assisted living and skilled nursing. She enjoys combining her financial expertise with her passion for supporting seniors.
At Westerwood, she’s found a culture unlike any other. “The staff truly care about the residents, and the residents are so warm and welcoming,” she says. “I often find myself wanting to say ‘Hi, how are you?’ even when I’m out in public.”
Laura’s work extends beyond the numbers. She helps residents navigate complex financial decisions, especially around long-term care policies. She created a custom spreadsheet tool that allows residents to compare different insurance options against actual costs at Westerwood, so they can make more informed choices about their benefits and future.
Favorite motto: “If you are never scared, embarrassed or hurt, it means you never take chances.” –Julia Soul
Angela Summers, Director of Facilities
Years of Service: Less than a year
Angela leads Westerwood’s facilities team and oversees maintenance, housekeeping, laundry, security and transportation. Although she’s newer to the team, she was immediately drawn to Westerwood’s resident-focused culture and the genuine camaraderie among staff.
She describes the community as fun, challenging and rewarding. “The employees here are passionate about serving, and the residents are truly appreciative,” she says.
She works closely with her teams to ensure the environment is clean, safe and well maintained—because, as she puts it, “this is their home.” Residents have already noticed faster response times, better service and a visible commitment to quality.
Favorite motto: “I always remind myself that I’m here to serve the residents—and I know my coworkers share that same goal.” -Angela Summers
Learn more about the leaders at Westerwood
These are just some of the friendly faces who make our community a safe and welcoming place for all. From managing care to daily operations, Westerwood’s leadership team brings heart, positivity and a whole lot of passion to what they do. And this is just part one—there’s more! Want to swing by and see for yourself? Learn more about our staff or give us a call at 614-890-8282 to schedule a tour. We hope you come and meet the team!
