Congratulations Amy Fouts of Capri Senior Communities

Congratulations to Amy Fouts, regional director of operations for Capri Senior Communities, on being named one of our 2019 Emerging Leaders of Waukesha County!

These awards celebrate young professionals who live or work in Waukesha County and who have shown personal initiative, determination and commitment to their careers and their community. The eight winners will receive their awards during YPWeek at the Emerging Leaders of Waukesha County awards luncheon on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at Embassy Suites in Brookfield. Register for the program here.

Amy Fouts is responsible for over 900 units of independent living, assisted living and memory care for Capri Senior Communities, including as many as 12 individual health care licenses. In this role, she has maintained occupancy averages at her communities at or greater than 90 percent, and played a key role in the implementation of a unique assisted living integration into an independent living setting now being replicated throughout the country. Amy is focused on responding to her team’s needs and reduced staff turnover from 60 percent to 33 percent in a single year. Amy has been honored as an Argentum Senior Living “Leader Under 40” and is active in her local and professional community via organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association, the Wisconsin Assisted Living Association (WALA) and the Milwaukee Waukesha Aging Consortium.

Get to know Amy:

Hometown: Manitowoc, WI

Favorite part of your job: Getting to spend time at our senior communities, engaging and interacting with the residents that live there and hearing the incredible histories, wisdom and stories that they are able to share with me.

If you could tell someone why it’s important to be involved in the community, what would you say? It is important to be involved in your local community because it is our way to support one another, develop a sense of belonging and engagement where we live and work and it allows us to come together to create positive change for ourselves and for our future generations.

Favorite thing about living/working in Waukesha County/southeast Wisconsin: The people – I have lived in a number of different areas around the state and I have found that the people in southeast Wisconsin have a true sense of pride about where they work and live and are very welcoming and engaging which has allowed me to build positive relationships in both my personal and professional life.

Favorite movie or book:  Favorite books that have grown me as a leader: The Inspiration Factor & Leaders Eat Last

Favorite food:  All types of seafood

Something unique about you:  I have worked in the healthcare field in some capacity since the age of 17.  Also, studies show that the average millennial has changed jobs upwards of 7 times by the time they turn 30 years old, so the fact that I have worked at the same company since I graduated college is pretty unique for my generation! 🙂

One thing you couldn’t live without: Family and friends

What was your first job? Certified Nursing Assistant at Aurora Healthcare

If you could do another job for just one day: Professional golfer – a day outside on a golf course sounds like a great day of work!

Three best words to describe you: Thoughtful, driven, caring

In your opinion, what makes a great leader?  Someone that is able to clearly communicate a vision, set goals to seek continuous improvement, develop a team that is strategically aligned and most importantly, bring a passion to the organization that gets people excited about what we are doing!

What drives you to succeed? Being able to make a difference in the lives of the residents that we serve

What is the most pressing issue facing our area and why?  In my area of work, the most pressing issue I see is the need for affordable, quality housing options for seniors that have the ability to meet their care needs. With the Baby Boomers aging and finding that many have not saved enough for retirement to keep up with how long people are now living, this is a pressing issue that will need to be addressed in our communities.

What is your favorite saying or word? “Have the curiosity to discover, the courage to decide and the passion to make a difference.”