Michael Guinane is the Life Enrichment Director at Emery Place in Robins, Iowa, where he has proudly served for over five years. He’s married to his best friend, Melany, and together they’re raising the happiest baby boy, Roman, along with their golden retriever, Waffles. Outside of work, Michael enjoys serving with high school boys at church, going on family walks, and casting a fishing line with his father-in-law, whenever he can. He believes, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” To Michael, residents are more than care plans—they’re remarkable human beings with stories that can shape us, if we take the time to truly listen with heart and humility.
Michael’s journey into senior living began during his freshman year of college while spending time with his grandpa, Paul. He would take his grandpa to doctor’s appointments, attend local church dinners with him, and spend afternoons between classes listening to stories about his childhood and his service in the Korean War. He taught Michael several life skills like climbing under a truck to teach him how to change the oil. Those shared moments sparked a deep passion for senior living. These experiences helped Michael realize that the generation who calls our communities home, carries a lifetime of wisdom, memories, and experiences worth honoring. In tribute to that special bond, Michael and Melany chose the middle name Paul for their firstborn son.