Gabriel Ehri is Board Chair of Friends Life Care Partners. He recently made an announcement about important organizational changes at the organization.  In a presentation to the staff of Friends Life Care and a corresponding letter, he explained that Carol Barbour will retire from her role as CEO and President of Friends Life Care Partners. This will be finalized on July 1, 2023.

In the 1980s, Carol was part of the team that innovated the Continuing Care at Home business model. This model helps seniors achieve their dream of aging in place. After launch, she became CEO in 1991, a year after operations commenced.

The Board is grateful to Carol for her leadership of the organization. Her energy and perseverance led Friends Life Care to become the largest Continuing Care at Home program in the country.

Through the decades, she shared her knowledge, experience, and sage advice with countless organizations considering their own care at-home programs. Many shared the same mission of helping older adults thrive at home as they age.

In addition, she has been recognized on the national level for her work.

Reflections About Retirement

In reflecting upon her retirement, Carol commented: “I want to express my appreciation for all the people who gave me this opportunity and encouraged and helped me over these 37 years. Moreover, the members of the board of directors, dedicated employees, and my mentors, who shared their wisdom and worked collaboratively with me are too numerous to name.”

Channeling Passion for Seniors to New Role

Now, Carol will channel her passion in a new role. She is the first employee and CEO of VigR Health, Inc., the for-profit spin-off of Friends Life Care. And through this, Carol will solely focus on expanding the impact of Friends Life Care’s successful aging-in-place solutions by bringing them to other businesses that serve seniors.

Clearly, Friends Life Care Partners accomplished a lot under Carol’s leadership.  She explains that she is most proud of the culture of the organization that she believes is baked into its DNA.

And she describes this culture as “one of caring, compassion, and respect for one another and for the people we serve coupled with professionalism, innovation, and a laser focus on outcomes.”

Interim CEO Appointment

The Board’s responsibility is to ensure that Friends Life Care Partners has the best leadership to carry the organization forward for the next decades.

So the Board appointed Joe Conner, as Interim CEO and President of Friends Life Care Partners while they evaluate overall strategic and leadership needs. The organization is in good hands with Joe; he is being considered for the permanent role.

Carol and Joe will work together in the weeks to come to ensure a smooth transition.  Join us in congratulating both Carol and Joe on this important organizational change for Friends Life Care Partners.