Kelly Gerst
National Director of Associate Experience
I am so grateful to have joined the Watermark family in November 2023 as the leader of the Associate Experience/HR team. For the past 12 years I have had the privilege of working in senior living where I’ve been able to pursue my passion for people, residents, and associates alike. I love driving culture and engagement, and Watermark’s Mission of Creating Extraordinary and Innovative Communities where People Thrive is a perfect fit for what excites me about working with others on a daily basis.
My 25-year career in Human Resources has given me a broad background in organizational culture; associate engagement; recruiting; performance management; associate relations/labor; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging; change management; benefits; talent development; leadership development; and organizational strategy. I thrive on leading though inspiration and nurturing cultures of continuous learning, and am committed to ensuring our associates have what they need to succeed.
Life is short and we spend a lot of time with our work family. Our work needs to be rewarding and FUN! When we enjoy every day together, when all of these pieces come together through coordinated effort, our team can work together to create an unparalleled associate experience. This is our commitment, each and every day.
When not at work, I enjoy spending time with my family and my dogs. My favorite quote is “I have learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” —Maya Angelou
My 25-year career in Human Resources has given me a broad background in organizational culture; associate engagement; recruiting; performance management; associate relations/labor; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging; change management; benefits; talent development; leadership development; and organizational strategy. I thrive on leading though inspiration and nurturing cultures of continuous learning, and am committed to ensuring our associates have what they need to succeed.
Life is short and we spend a lot of time with our work family. Our work needs to be rewarding and FUN! When we enjoy every day together, when all of these pieces come together through coordinated effort, our team can work together to create an unparalleled associate experience. This is our commitment, each and every day.
When not at work, I enjoy spending time with my family and my dogs. My favorite quote is “I have learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” —Maya Angelou
