Carmen Fronczak

As a Titan of industry what are some key strengths and unique selling points of your company and what do you believe sets your organization apart from your competition?

Friendship Village Senior Services is the premier provider of services to seniors in the St. Louis area. We pride ourselves on helping our residents create their next best life. The thing that sets us apart is the experiences and offerings our residents get to experience. We go on trips locally, nationally and internationally. A few years ago, I had the honor to accompany our chaplains and about 30 residents on a 10-day trip to Israel. This was the trip of a lifetime for me.

Describe your company culture. What makes your company unique?

Our company culture is special because everything we do is centered and starts from leading with our faith. We are a faith-based organization, but we don’t push that on anyone. What we do is use it as a center and our true north of how we run our business. It guides our interactions and care for our employees and residents. Our culture starts and ends with compassion and excellence in all we do.

Describe your leadership philosophy. How are you developing the next generation of leaders?

My greatest joy in having the privilege to lead others is the ability to help shape and promote their future. I am so passionate about helping others to see the potential in themselves. I enjoy taking the time to get to know my employees. I enjoy being vulnerable with them so they can feel at ease and see the real me. I am learning every day how to be the best version of me, and I want to encourage them to do the same thing.

What non-profits and/or charities do you and or your company support and why?

One of the organizations that is near and dear to my heart is the Independence Center. This organization provides support to adults in the St. Louis are with mental health challenges. They do so many things from housing assistance, medical and psychiatric care, and job placement services. Their signature event is St. Louis Dancing with the Stars. I was a dancer last year and we raised over $700k. I have recruited 3 Titans this year to be dancers in January 2025. Check out www.independencecenter.org

Can you describe a recent accomplishment or milestone that your company achieved, and how it has positioned you for future success?

Our company has been focused on revenue and growth diversification. We have grown our annual revenue is the last three years from $53m to over $80m. This has been achieved by expanding on and off our campuses to care for more seniors. We have created innovative membership programs, new residency options and expanded into the home and community space with our home care, private duty and hospice programs.

How do you ensure that your products or services are meeting the needs and expectations of your customers?

We reinvest every dollar we make right back into our organization. This includes investing in our employees, our campuses and in the best and most innovative programs and services for our residents. My boss Terry Walsh calls us “the Ferrari of Senior Living” and he’s absolutely correct.