Katherine Todd, new vice president of health and well-being at Waters Senior Living, is developing programming for residents and patients at the Minnetonka-based organization's eight Minnesota locations.

In addition to providing clinical leadership for nursing, Todd is leading strategy to create a sustainable environment where health care, hospitality and patient and resident choice align as the Waters expands. In joining the Waters, Todd is making a transition to senior care after working in acute care in hospital settings.

"The population that's blossoming in our community is our senior population," Todd said. "Being able to influence this population and put my energy and time and passion toward helping them to have a thriving life is exciting."

Todd has doctor of nursing practice and master's of science in nursing degrees from the University of Minnesota School of Nursing, where she also completed the George Fellowship in nursing leadership. She also has an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University.

Todd has a long association through her nursing education with the University's Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality and Healing. The center has worked with the Waters to develop programming and amenities for its residents.

The Waters, with more than 500 employees and 1,100 senior apartments, offers independent and assisted living and memory care in Minneapolis, Eden Prairie, Edina, St. Paul, Rochester, Oakdale, Plymouth and White Bear Lake. Locations in Excelsior, Oak Creek, Wis., and Warrendale, Pa., are to open next year.

Q: What's driving the Waters' growth?

A: There is a deep focus on doing the right thing. You've got a collective group of owners, operators, investors who are deeply in tune with creating a gold standard for the way in which we build for thriving in this population. When you do that outcomes follow. When your outcomes follow then there is continued opportunity.

Q: What interested you in joining the Waters?

A: They have partnered with the university from day one. They knew where to go to find the experts who could help build this care model for thriving. And they're committed to developing their environments for the residents but also developing their care team, their staff, so we can achieve this.

Q: Why did you get an MBA in addition to your nursing credentials?

A: I realized that in health care we have two camps — clinical leaders who lead the clinical perspective and business leaders to lead from a business perspective — and that we were going to need a bridge. I figured it was easier for a clinical person to … augment with an MBA. I've learned strategies around how to design something that's ideal and optimal and innovative and then build to make it sustainable.

Todd Nelson