Christie Hinrichs to Lead Board of Directors of LeadingAge
Christie Hinrichs has long believed that leadership begins with service and is sustained by compassion. In January 2026, that belief will guide her into a national leadership role as Frasier’s president and CEO, beginning her term as board chair of LeadingAge. Her term reflects both her decades of experience in senior care and the values-driven leadership she brings to Frasier every day.
LeadingAge is the national association representing over 5,400 nonprofit aging services providers and mission-driven organizations nationwide. Through advocacy, education, research, and collaboration, LeadingAge works to strengthen the aging services field and ensure older adults have access to the care, services, and support they need, wherever they call home.
Christie’s election comes at a pivotal moment for the field. As LeadingAge enters its final year of the 2024–2026 strategic plan, nonprofit providers nationwide are navigating complex challenges, including workforce shortages, pressure on affordable housing, and the need for sustainable payment models. Christie will serve a two-year term guiding the LeadingAge Board of Directors as it advances advocacy and solutions to address these issues.
“Our 2024–2026 strategic plan set out ambitious goals centered on supporting aging services staff and members across our mission-driven organizations,” said Katie Smith Sloan, president and CEO of LeadingAge. “While we’ve made meaningful progress, there is more work ahead. Christie brings both the vision and practical leadership needed to help move this work forward.”
For Frasier, this leadership role reflects not only Christie’s decades of experience in senior care but also the values that guide our community every day. Christie has served on the LeadingAge Board of Directors since 2015, contributing to national initiatives that support nonprofit aging services providers and elevate the voices of those who live and work in senior living communities.
One of the defining priorities of Christie’s leadership is strengthening the aging services workforce, an issue she views as foundational to the future of care.
“Without staff, there is no care,” Christie often says. “Workforce challenges aren’t abstract. They affect real people every day. As we invest in culture, leadership development, and technology, we must never lose sight of the human connection at the heart of our work. We are, at our core, in the people business, and compassion is what gives this work meaning.”
That philosophy is deeply aligned with Frasier’s purpose. Founded in 1960, Frasier is an independent, nonprofit, purpose-driven life plan community serving nearly 500 older adults across the full continuum of care, including independent living, assisted living, memory support, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and wellness services. The 20-acre Boulder campus supports older adults in living vibrant and connected lives, while strengthening the broader community it calls home.
Christie brings decades of leadership experience to her role at Frasier and to her service with LeadingAge. Throughout her career, she has held leadership positions including hospice administrator, home care administrator, chief operating officer, and senior roles in acute care and infusion therapy. She is widely recognized for her commitment to servant leadership and building a strong, mission-centered organizational culture
As she steps into her new role, Christie will help guide LeadingAge during a pivotal period for nonprofit providers, navigating workforce challenges, evolving care models, and increasing demand for services that support aging with dignity, choice, and access.