We’re honored to welcome two special guests this week, Mike Pochowski and Heather Novoselac from the Wisconsin Assisted Living Association. They join Dave to discuss the importance of association involvement. Whether it’s a local association or a chamber of commerce, being part of a like-minded community offers valuable benefits and meaningful networking opportunities. Tune in to hear their insights and learn how getting involved can help you grow both personally and professionally. Their conversation highlights why connection, collaboration, and community are key to long-term success.
Bios:
Mike Pochowski:
Mike is the President & CEO of the Wisconsin Assisted Living Association (WALA) and leads a profession whose mission is to support assisted living providers in enhancing the best quality of life for their residents through advocacy, education, communication, and quality initiatives. WALA represents about 2,200 assisted living facilities/24,000 provider beds.
Prior to WALA, Mike worked for Brookdale Senior Living Inc. for 15 years which offers independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing care, home health, and rehabilitative services to elderly individuals. In Mike’s role at Brookdale, he oversaw their government affairs program at the federal level and in each of their 46 states.
In addition, Mike has been an adjunct lecturer at Northwestern University since 2013 teaching courses within the Master of Arts Public Policy and Administration program.
Mike has a Master of Arts – Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Arts – Political Science from the University of Wisconsin – Parkside.
Heather Novoselac:
I’m Heather, Senior Manager of Education and Event Services with WALA. Wisconsin Assisted Living Association is the largest assisted living trade association in the state serving over 1,800 members. A key component of WALA is Education and providing opportunities for our members to learn and grow with one another. My main focuses are on our Annual Conference with over 500 attendees, our state-approved Administrator course that we run three times a year, and our Management Essential courses that are created for all to provide quick, impactful content.
Before starting with WALA in 2019, I worked in a long term care pharmacy for over 9 years as the liaison between pharmacy and providers. This experience spiked my passion for assisted living and started me on what is sure to be a life-long journey. Graduating from Carroll College (before it became University) with a psychology degree, where my future took me wasn’t always clear. beyond the fact that I love working with people. It was my involvement with the athletic department and working the events on-campus that exposed my real passion for coordinating and executing events for all involved. The opportunity WALA has provided merged my two worlds and aligned my passions of coordinating, organizing, implementing, and bringing ideas to life within the long term care industry. To say that I’ve landed right where I need to be is an understatement and something I’m grateful for.
When I’m not working, I’m a house-hold coordinator and mom of three amazing humans who fill my world with joy and purpose alongside my husband of 15 years.
Get In Touch:
Michael Pochowski LinkedIn Profile
Heather Novoselac LinkedIn Profile
Wisconsin Assisted Living Association Website
Tip of the week:
Do stuff outside of your comfort zone – that’s when great things happen!
Watch episode here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DvIe9nMYmY