Sheila Walker

Zach Gurick
Director of Growth and Optimal Aging, Shell Point

Zach Gurick is Director of Growth and Optimal Aging at Shell Point, the nation’s largest single-site Life Plan Community, where he helps lead growth strategy, sales innovation, and initiatives focused on reimagining what it means to live—and age—well.

With more than two decades of nonprofit leadership, consulting, fundraising, and organizational growth experience, Zach brings a unique perspective to the rapidly evolving senior living industry. His work at Shell Point sits at the intersection of consumer expectations, longevity, wellness, technology, and the future of aging, with a particular focus on how communities can better engage the next generation of residents and their families.

Zach also hosts Fully Alive: Unlocking the Secrets to Your Healthier, Happier, Longer Life, a top-ranked podcast featuring leading physicians, researchers, scientists, innovators, and thought leaders exploring the science and strategies of healthspan, longevity, and optimal aging.

Prior to joining Shell Point, Zach spent 15 years in leadership with Young Life, where he led significant organizational growth across Southwest Florida. He later served as Vice President and Senior Consultant for The FOCUS Group, advising nonprofit organizations on major fundraising campaigns, strategic visioning, and leadership development and helping clients raise and deploy more than $400 million.

Zach holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Coastal Carolina University and studied Theology and Christian Leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary.

Based in Southwest Florida with his wife and three children, Zach is also a longtime endurance athlete who has completed multiple marathons and Ironman events. He is passionate about helping people and organizations rethink aging—not simply as extending lifespan, but as creating more years of purpose, vitality, connection, and meaningful life.

James has nearly 30 years of experience as he has been serving in the senior living industry since 1993. Although James started working with seniors in high school, and he was hooked on the industry and the mission of serving seniors. James started his career working New Life Management and Development, assisting with the sales and marketing of new developing communities as well as helping existing communities and organizations struggling with census.
After college graduation, James hit the ground running, while still working for New Life Management and Development. James began selling and managing development project’s sales offices for New Life as well as taking on consulting agreements with other organizations for sales and marketing assistance. After 16 years at New Life, James moved on to set the stage for sales consulting for Love & Company as well as Bluespire (Martino & Binzer). As a national speaker, James could be found speaking about topics and tips that participants could immediately put to use.
Today, James is leading the Sales and Marketing efforts for Brio Living Services. James’ background of development, marketing, and sales has been instrumental to the future planning of the organization. As Brio plans on growing, James plans on continuing to utilize his experience as much as possible to further the mission of serving seniors.

Melody Schneider is Vice President of Sales for Covenant Living Communities & Services, where she leads independent living and healthcare sales across a portfolio of 20 communities in 11 states serving more than 6,000 residents. With more than 20 years of experience in senior living and 10 years with Covenant Living, Melody is known for driving occupancy growth, leading successful turnaround and repositioning strategies, and exceeding financial goals.

Since joining Covenant Living in a national sales leadership role, she has helped lead significant growth and expansion initiatives across the organization. Prior to Covenant Living, Melody served as a national consultant and senior strategist with Bluespire Senior Living, supporting multiple not-for-profit senior living organizations. She also held executive leadership roles in sales, marketing, and operations for both stand-alone and multi-site senior living communities, leading new community development, service line repositioning, and strategic growth initiatives.

A licensed Nursing Home Administrator and graduate of James Madison University, Melody is passionate about advancing Covenant Living's mission to help older adults live with dignity, purpose, and peace of mind.

Sheila Walker brings more than two decades of leadership experience in senior living, specializing in strategic growth, occupancy management, relationship development, and resident engagement. She is passionate about helping older adults and their families navigate life's transitions while discovering opportunities for connection, purpose, and lifelong well-being.

Throughout her career, Sheila has led high-performing sales and marketing initiatives across independent living, assisted living, and memory support communities. Her expertise spans business development, team leadership, community partnerships, and creating innovative programs that enhance the resident experience.

Sheila is recognized for her collaborative leadership style and commitment to mission-driven service. She works closely with residents, families, healthcare professionals, and community stakeholders to develop meaningful solutions that support older adults in living fully and confidently.

Allison Combs is the Chief Marketing Officer for National Lutheran Communities & Services (NLCS), a not-for-profit, faith-based organization serving older adults through senior living, health care and community-based services. Since joining NLCS in 2011, she has held progressive leadership roles across both community and corporate settings, helping drive organizational growth, strengthen brand awareness and support mission-focused innovation.

In her role as CMO, Allison leads enterprise-wide marketing, communications, brand strategy, sales support and public relations initiatives across a multi-community portfolio. She oversees efforts to enhance occupancy, elevate the organization's visibility and develop meaningful engagement strategies that connect older adults and their families with services and resources that support successful aging.

With more than 15 years of experience in senior living and health care marketing, Allison is recognized for her collaborative leadership style, strategic thinking and commitment to authentic storytelling. She is passionate about building high-performing teams, leveraging data-driven insights and creating communication strategies that strengthen relationships, inspire trust and advance organizational mission.

Allison is passionate about the future of aging services and the role strategic marketing and communications play in helping older adults and their families make informed decisions. She enjoys sharing practical insights and real-world experiences that support organizational growth, strengthen community engagement and advance mission-driven senior living.