Leadership and team members from across Sunnyside Communities gathered at the scenic House Mountain Inn on May 28–29 for a two-day strategic planning retreat designed to spark collaboration, inspire innovation, and launch a bold new chapter for the organization.
The retreat marked a pivotal moment for Sunnyside as President and CEO Josh Lyons unveiled a newly refreshed Mission and Vision, along with a comprehensive Strategic Plan that will guide the organization’s growth in the years ahead. The event brought together leaders from Sunnyside’s three Life Plan Communities—Sunnyside in Harrisonburg, King’s Grant in Martinsville, and Summit Square in Waynesboro—for team building, open dialogue, and future-focused planning.
“We have found that it is always time well spent to gather together with leadership and key managers throughout the organization to build on relationships and explore possibilities,” said Lyons. “This work will be unlike anything we have done in recent years, and it will take your spirit of teamwork, open minds, and some additional time and energy to carry it forward.”
The retreat began with breakfast and ice breakers led by Chief Operating Officer Tammy Landes, setting a relaxed, collegial tone for the day. Lyons then delivered the keynote presentation, sharing Sunnyside’s new Strategic Plan and revealing the organization’s updated Mission and Vision statements—milestones designed to reflect evolving priorities while remaining deeply rooted in a century-long commitment to excellence in senior living.
Participants then broke into small groups for a series of facilitated discussions led by Nancy Wayland, Vice President of Human Resources; James Souter, Executive Director of Summit Square; Matt Dameron, Executive Director of King’s Grant; Lisa Clause, Chief Marketing Officer; and Erica Turman, Director of Corporate Communications. These sessions encouraged collaboration across campuses and departments, offering space to reflect, ask questions, and begin translating strategy into action.
Each session included built-in breaks to promote informal conversations and reflection. After lunch, the facilitators presented a summary of key themes and takeaways from their groups.
The day concluded with closing remarks from Lyons and a spirited raffle—a lighthearted reminder that while the work ahead is significant, the journey can be joyful.
Choosing House Mountain Inn as the retreat location was no accident. The central, serene setting allowed participants to step away from daily routines and focus on big-picture thinking.
“This setting gives us the space to breathe and think big,” said Turman. “It’s good for the soul—and the strategy.”
Sunnyside Communities has been a trusted name in retirement living since 1912, known for its holistic approach to wellness, commitment to resident-centered care, and enduring legacy of innovation. With the rollout of its new Strategic Plan, Sunnyside is building on that foundation to shape a future defined by growth, inclusion, and excellence.
As Lyons noted in his closing message, “There was a lot of information to cover and then collaborate on—but as I’m sure you know, we had fun doing it.”
