As part of the ongoing McKnight's Pinnacle Awards profiling series, two remarkable individuals, Donald F. Breneman and Rosa Marcus, have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to the senior living and home care sectors. The McKnight's Pinnacle Awards, jointly administered by McKnight's Long-Term Care News, McKnight's Senior Living, and McKnight's Home Care, celebrate leaders who are making a significant impact in these fields. The 2024 honorees were recognized at an awards reception and ceremony in Chicago on March 20.

Donald F. Breneman, currently the chief operating officer at Juniper Communities, has been a driving force in promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility within the senior living sector. Breneman's career with Juniper Communities began in 2003, and over the years, he has spearheaded the company's Green Canopy Initiative. This comprehensive program, which started in 2001 with the construction of the first LEED senior living community in New Jersey, aims to make Juniper Communities the first zero-waste senior living community in the United States. Breneman's efforts extend to eliminating plastics from med carts and reducing the use of single-use items like cups, spoons, and Styrofoam. He has also significantly reduced printed materials by transitioning to digital displays and AI technology like Amazon Alexa, saving approximately 874,000 sheets of paper per quarter. In addition to his sustainability work, Breneman oversees Juniper's insurance programs and risk management. He holds degrees in gerontology and counseling psychology and is a certified dementia practitioner.

Rosa Marcus, the director of support services for personal care at VNS Health, has been honored for her compassion and dedication to caring for vulnerable individuals and supporting home health aides (HHAs). With over 40 years at VNS Health, Marcus leads a team that supports more than 6,000 HHAs. She ensures that the care provided exceeds client expectations and trains HHAs on new technology. Marcus played a crucial role in creating the HHA Emotional Support Calls during the pandemic, providing a lifeline for thousands of aides. She also facilitated the transition to remote communications and helped develop the HHA Resource Center. Known for her empathy, Marcus embraces the diversity of VNS Health's HHAs, who collectively speak more than 33 languages. She has directly managed teams caring for Chinese-language clients and serves as a point person for Spanish-speaking HHAs. Marcus's career began as a coordinator in the contact center administration team, and she holds an associate's degree from Bronx Community College.

The McKnight's Pinnacle Awards program is supported by sponsors such as Omnicare, Medline, and Parker Health Group. Nominations for the 2026 awards will open in September, offering an opportunity to recognize other movers and shakers in the long-term care, senior living, and home care sectors.