LeadingAge CEO Katie Smith Sloan to Step Down
The leader of the non-profit aging services network plans to depart her role in March 2027 after two decades of service.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Eldercare
Live Poll
Should senior care providers prioritize new technology adoption to improve the quality of aging services?
Katie Smith Sloan, the president and CEO of the 65-year-old organization LeadingAge, announced in September 2026 that she will step down from her role in late March 2027. Her departure marks the end of a two-decade career at the association, which represents a network of non-profit aging services providers.
Why it matters
Sloan’s resignation concludes a 10-year tenure as CEO during a period of significant evolution for non-profit eldercare. Her leadership transition coincides with the organization's broader efforts to modernize support services, including the recent launch of a technology-focused entrepreneur program.
Official records confirm a 10-year CEO tenure for Sloan as part of her 20-year commitment to the 65-year-old LeadingAge organization. The timeline for her transition is fixed for March 2027, with the search for her successor currently underway.
The players
Katie Smith Sloan
The president and CEO of LeadingAge who is stepping down after 10 years in the top role and 20 years at the organization.
LeadingAge
A 65-year-old national association of non-profit organizations dedicated to expanding the world of possibilities for aging.
David Gehm
The committee lead responsible for managing the search for the next president and CEO of LeadingAge.
The details
LeadingAge operates as a national network focused on the development and regulation of aging services. Under Sloan, the organization recently launched an Entrepreneur-in-Residence program designed to integrate new technologies into eldercare. This initiative places tech creators within member facilities for two-week stays to foster innovation in care delivery.
Timeline
September 2026: Sloan announced her plans to resign.
October 27, 2026: Sloan delivered her final annual meeting address in Philadelphia.
Late March 2027: Sloan will officially depart from her CEO position.
April 1, 2027: LeadingAge expects to finalize the search for a new leader.
Health Landscape
The leadership transition at LeadingAge signals a shift in the executive direction of the national non-profit aging services sector. This change occurs alongside the organization's efforts to integrate the Entrepreneur-in-Residence program into the standard care model for older adults.
For families navigating non-profit aging services, these leadership changes may influence future policy priorities and service quality standards. Updates regarding the new CEO and organizational direction are worth monitoring when reviewing care options provided by network members.
The takeaway
Leadership transitions within major aging service networks often coincide with strategic updates to care delivery and innovation programs. Families should stay informed by following the official communications from their current providers regarding any changes in facility standards or regional services.
What happens next
The search committee expects to complete its process for identifying the next president and CEO by April 1, 2027.
Further reading
Explore ongoing developments in senior support and residential care within the Eldercare section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by McKnight's Long-Term Care News.
Live Poll
Should senior care providers prioritize new technology adoption to improve the quality of aging services?
