Annie Shaffer, Wellness Director at Sunnyside Retirement Community, has been named one of North America’s Top 5 Wellness Directors in senior living, earning the 2025 ICAA NuStep Pinnacle Award.
Presented by the International Council on Active Aging® (ICAA) and NuStep, LLC, the Pinnacle Award recognizes outstanding leaders who champion wellness as the cornerstone of community life. Honorees are celebrated for their ability to inspire residents and staff through innovative programs that promote physical, social, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, vocational, and environmental well-being.
“Annie embodies what it means to lead through wellness,” said Josh Lyons, president and CEO of Sunnyside Communities. “Her creativity, compassion, and commitment have strengthened the lives of residents and team members alike, setting a standard for what whole-person wellness can look like in senior living.”
According to Colin Milner, CEO of the International Council on Active Aging, “The ICAA NuStep Best in Wellness Awards celebrate individuals who are shaping the future of senior living through wellness-centered leadership. By embedding wellness in every facet of community culture, these professionals are not just changing lives—they are transforming an industry.”
“Annie has a gift for connecting people to joy and purpose,” added Nancy Wayland, executive director of Sunnyside Retirement Community. “She helps ensure person-centered wellness and empowers residents to pursue balance in all aspects of life. This recognition is so well deserved.”
Shaffer’s achievement underscores Sunnyside’s continued commitment to redefining aging through innovation, connection, and compassionate care—a goal shared across all three Sunnyside Communities throughout Virginia.
