Esmerelda Lee

Esmerelda Lee is the Senior Vice President of Operations at Discovery Senior Living (DSL), the largest privately held senior housing operator in the U.S. and the premier partner of choice for a wide range of large to small capital investors and many of the large REITS. In this role, Esmerelda is at the forefront of executing DSL’s growth strategy, supporting the scaling of its national footprint, unlocking operational efficiencies, and driving transformative improvements across DSL’s portfolio. She is known for building high-performance teams that deliver outsized results and for relentlessly pursuing opportunities to elevate community performance and value creation.

Prior to joining DSL, Esmeralda served as EVP and COO of Century Park Associates, where she led operations across 19 states, stabilized turnover, grew occupancy, and consistently increased NOI. She has also held senior leadership roles with Enlivant Senior Living and Life Care Centers of America, further establishing her reputation as an operator who delivers impact at scale.

Esmeralda holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Lee University and a Master of Public Health in Health Care Administration from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. She remains an active voice in the industry, having served on Argentum’s Women in Leadership, the National Center for Assisted Living Board, and as President of the Tennessee Center for Assisted Living.