Massachusetts Assisted Living Association Announces New Director of Education

Waltham, MA – The Massachusetts Assisted Living Association (Mass-ALA) is delighted to announce the appointment of Laurie Cashman as its Director of Education. Cashman has built her career around serving the older adult population in various capacities. In her new role, Cashman will be responsible for overall educational initiatives and programming for Mass-ALA and its membership, including producing various educational programs, seminars, trainings, the annual conference and trade show, and creating educational resources for members.   

For the past eleven years, Cashman has been the Executive Director of Christopher Heights of Webster, an assisted living community. She is also an adjunct professor of gerontology at Quinsigamond Community College, where she has taught courses in gerontology, human development, human services, psychology, and sociology. Previously, she served as Executive Director of the Northborough Senior Center/Council on Aging, as well as Coordinator of Information, Referral, and Advocacy Services for the City of Worcester Executive Office of Elder Affairs.  Cashman is also a certified life coach, working with individuals to help them succeed both personally and professionally. 

"We are delighted that Laurie is joining our staff at Mass-ALA as she brings industry knowledge from a range of experience and viewpoints, including as an executive director of one of our member assisted living residences, as an educator and academic, as a senior center and council on aging executive, and as a public servant with a municipal elder affairs office,” said Brian Doherty, President and CEO of Mass-ALA. "Above all, it is Laurie’s energetic enthusiasm for serving older adults and her passion for educating the assisted living workforce of the future that we believe will lead her to help us accomplish great outcomes for our member communities, residents, and staff.”

"I am pleased to have been invited to join the staff at Mass-ALA as their Director of Education. Throughout my involvement in the assisted living industry, I have enjoyed the support and leadership provided by the professionals at Mass-ALA who have been instrumental in shaping the face of assisted living in Massachusetts,” said Cashman. "As our society progresses in the appreciation of the concept of assisted living as a tremendous resource for older adults and their families, I consider it a privilege to be working alongside individuals who are committed to enhancing and promoting the industry through advocacy, education, and support. I look forward to joining the staff at Mass-ALA as they implement the initiatives identified through the development of their strategic plan and to utilize my experience and my passion to contribute to that effort.”

Cashman is involved in numerous business organizations, including serving as the President of Woman In Business and President of the Webster Dudley Oxford Chamber of Commerce. In addition, she has devoted many years to serving on boards of education and elder housing.  She was the recipient of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs R.O.S.E. Award for her work in intergenerational programming. Cashman has a Master of Science in Human Services/Non-Profit Management from Worcester State College.

In addition to her work, Cashman enjoys reading, studying karate, tending to her organic garden, and engaging in outdoor activities.  She was born and raised in Massachusetts and currently lives in Thompson, CT, where she raises free-range chickens at Yellow Iris Farm and provides organic eggs to many people in the area.

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About Mass-ALA

The Massachusetts Assisted Living Association (Mass-ALA, formerly Mass-ALFA) is a non-profit association dedicated to professionally operated assisted living residences in Massachusetts that provide housing and services for individuals with varied needs and income levels. Established in 1990 as a state affiliate of the Argentum (formerly ALFA), Mass-ALA has grown to hundreds of members including assisted living providers and associated professionals. Mass-ALA serves as the voice of assisted living in Massachusetts. Mass-ALA promotes a model of care which treats all residents with dignity, provides privacy and encourages independence and freedom of choice.