Senior Living Leadership
Julie Podewitz, CEO & Founder
Julie is a senior living sales expert with many years’ experience and a proven track record. Senior Living sales is her passion. She is successful in team building and development – coaching at all levels, including executive, sales and marketing teams, management, and regional and divisional directors.
Julie has spent time on both the provider and consultant side, all focused on sales and marketing. Julie began her career as a community sales director and quickly filled census-challenged buildings. Her experience as a teacher, trainer and coach gave her great insight to consult with hundreds of communities across 46 states. She has spent the past eight years in the VP Sales and CMO roles on the provider side.
All along, she kept her foot on the ground, never losing the “here and now” experience of the customer – the prospects, families, community, executive and ownership entities she serves.
She and her team have walked the walk, have grown with the business, know what works, what to do, and how to do it. Many consider her the “go to” resource; heck, she wrote the book! By starting her business, Julie expands her passion for sales, teaching, and seeing others succeed and grow their occupancy.
Julie and her husband Jim share a passion for their daughter Ava, their two dogs, Winston Churchill and Maggie, music trivia, and enjoying their Tennessee farm.
“The senior living space needs to acknowledge the need for top sales talent, to invest in training and development of this talent. Selling senior living requires advanced skills. We need to commit to what we know works – sales fundamentals – and pivot to meet the demands of the ever-changing world of digital marketing as well as the needs and desires of our customers. Customer-focused sales is never more relevant than in senior living.”
Dresden Cincurak, Sales Success Specialist
Dresden Cincurak’s love for the senior population started at a very young age. She would often spend her summers visiting her grandparents for weeks in rural Oklahoma – there was nowhere else she would rather be than with them. Her grandparents were her heroes. When her beloved grandpa developed Dementia and moved into a community, she vowed to make things easier on the residents and their families as her career. After graduating from the University of Washington in Seattle with a Bachelor’s in Theatre, Dresden moved to Nashville, TN and landed her first senior living gig as the lead concierge in an Independent Living community. From there, Dresden advanced through the ranks learning all aspects of the industry while holding roles within the community and at a corporate level. Dresden has served seniors as a Sales Director, Dementia Care Program Manager, and Executive Director. Her support roles have included Sales Specialist, Regional Sales Director, Divisional Dementia Care Manager, Corporate Director of Memory Care and Life Enrichment, and Vice President of Sales. She has also created and implemented a specific dementia care program for those with cognition impairment for a senior living community based in Birmingham, AL.
Dresden is married to Matthew and mother to her favorite kid, Jackson. When not working, Dresden can be found on the lake, camping, spending time with friends and family, helping others achieve their health goals as a health coach, and showing real estate. Dresden is honored to be part of the Grow team and looks forward to helping your teams “Grow.”
Melinda Haney, Sales Success Specialist
Melinda’s passion for helping older adults has fueled her 20+ years in the senior living space. She has assisted residents and families with all levels of senior living and has held 98+% occupancy in her communities for years. Her communities are often voted “Best of” in their local markets.
Melinda has experience in many levels of senior living sales: Community Relations Director, Admissions Director, Director of Sales & Marketing and Regional Director of Sales and Marketing. Melinda trains Executive Directors & RDOs and leads new associate onboarding. She is also a CRM and data analytics expert.
Melinda understands the sales position uniquely well; as a self-starter, influencer, party-planner, educator, community volunteer, jugger, leader and importantly as a team player. She also has experience as a family member, advocate, and caregiver.
Melinda has two sons who are University of South Florida Bulls. The boys might say, so to not have an empty house, Melinda and her spouse keep busy by breeding Black Miniature Schnauzers. We might tell you a different story.
Shawn Northcutt, Sales Success Specialist
Shawn is a highly dedicated and results-oriented senior living sales leader with a demonstrated record of experience in strategic sales and marketing. He has worked in both rental and entrance fee communities as a director, regional and Vice President of Sales. He has a passion for leading sales team to success by leveraging his strong work ethic and excellent communication skills. He is an analytical and resourceful problem solver with a proven ability to coach and train senior living sales professionals in increasing occupancy and exceeding budget requirements.
Shawn’s passion of working with seniors started at a young age. He has never lost sight of his Mid-west upbringings and truly enjoys making a difference in the lives that he touches. This can be felt from the moment you meet him. His caring nature along with competitiveness have made him a true leader in senior living. He has worked with communities across the United States and his knowledge base in both internal and external sales & marketing have served him well.
“I believe customer service is taking care of the person in front of you.”