Executive Leadership Spotlight: Brett K. Anderson
Through our Executive Leadership Spotlight series, we’re helping employees get to know the people behind Ebenezer’s leadership team, from the experiences that shaped their careers to the philosophies that guide how they lead today.
This week, we’re featuring Brett K. Anderson, President and CEO of Ebenezer, whose connection to senior care began long before he imagined building a career serving older adults.
From growing up around a small nursing home in southern Minnesota to beginning his career as a registered nurse, Brett’s journey has been shaped by a commitment to people, a curiosity about what’s possible and a belief that the best ideas often come from those closest to the work.
Tell us about your career journey. What led you to your current role at Ebenezer?
My journey started in a small Good Samaritan nursing home in southern Minnesota, where I grew up. As the son of a nurse who later became a Director of Nursing, I spent plenty of time volunteering around senior care settings, whether I wanted to or not.
I started my career as a registered nurse and, at the time, didn’t think I would spend my career serving older adults. But my first opportunity out of nursing school was with a small organization providing home care, assisted living and group home services. That experience showed me the incredible impact we can have on people’s lives as they age.
Over the years, I held clinical and operational leadership roles and spent several years self-employed, helping healthcare organizations solve problems and grow. Those experiences ultimately led me to Ebenezer.
Why Ebenezer? Why wouldn’t I want to be part of an organization known for its culture, quality and commitment to people? What excites me most is that we have the talent, heart and foundation to help create brighter futures for older adults, even as our industry faces significant change and opportunity.
What’s one leadership lesson or philosophy that has shaped how you lead?
Leaders don’t need to have all the answers.
Our job is to create the conditions for others to succeed. That means being curious, asking good questions, bringing people together around a shared purpose and removing barriers that stand in the way of progress. Some of the best ideas in an organization come from the people closest to the work. My role is to help those ideas become reality.
What’s something your team might be surprised to learn about you?
I believe vulnerability is an important leadership trait, so here it goes: Many years ago, I may have won the Minnesota State Fair Amateur Talent Contest with a family friend.
(I’d also appreciate it if nobody spends too much time trying to locate video evidence.)
What opportunity excites you most about the future of Ebenezer?
The opportunity to expand what’s possible for aging services.
We have exceptional people, a strong reputation and a willingness to innovate. As the needs of older adults continue to evolve, we have an opportunity to shape new solutions, rethink old assumptions and create even more meaningful experiences for the people we serve.
That’s an exciting future to be part of.
“When we take great care of our team members, they can do their best work for residents, patients and families.”
– Brett K. Anderson
“Some of the best ideas in an organization come from the people closest to the work.”
– Brett K. Anderson
“When we take great care of our team members, they can do their best work for residents, patients and families.”
– Brett K. Anderson
When you visit our communities, what’s something you hope every employee knows about your role as CEO?
I hope they know I’m there to help them succeed. I believe that when we take great care of our team members, they can do their best work for residents, patients and families. Everything else, including quality, safety, satisfaction and performance, grows from there.
When I visit communities, I want to understand what’s getting in the way and how we can make work easier so our teams can spend more time doing what matters most: making someone’s day a little brighter.
Is there anything else you’d like employees to know about you, your role or your journey that we didn’t cover above?
I genuinely believe the future is bright. Not because it will be easy, but because of the people who work here. Every day I see team members finding new ways to serve others, solve problems and make a difference. That’s what gives me confidence in what’s ahead.
No one person creates the future of an organization. We build it together. I’m grateful to be part of a team that’s committed to growing, innovating and expanding what’s possible for the people we serve.
Get to know our leaders
Stay tuned for more Executive Leadership Spotlights as we introduce the leaders helping shape Ebenezer's future and learn more about the experiences, perspectives and passions they bring to their work.