Executive Director Spotlight with Amanda Laporte
Amanda leads with grace, integrity, and compassion each day,” says Rachel Gullett, Administrator of the Phoebe Richland Health Care Center. “She is by far one of the best leaders I’ve had the pleasure to work with.”
Amanda Laporte, NHA, is the Executive Director of both Phoebe Richland, a 39-acre campus located in Richlandtown in Upper Bucks County, and Chestnut Ridge at Rodale, a 38-acre campus located in Emmaus, Lehigh County.
Laporte relocated from Pittsburgh in September of 2019 to lead the Phoebe Richland campus, just six months before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was immediately apparent to everyone that she would be a boots-on-the-ground leader whose priority would be the health and wellness of the seniors she serves and the employees she leads. This inspiring characteristic became an extraordinary feat for a new executive director—who was still getting to know her staff—as she faced a worldwide crisis.
With more than 20 years of experience in the senior living field, Laporte was able to pull from her extensive background in resident admissions, human resources, process improvement, and operations to lead her dedicated staff through this unforeseen crisis with grace and grit.
It’s no surprise that the readers of Penny Power, a local weekly newspaper, have voted Phoebe Richland the Best Senior Living Facility, Best Nursing Home, Best Assisted Living, and Best Alzheimer’s Care for three years in a row.
Phoebe Richland, one of Phoebe Ministries’ four Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC), offers independent living, personal care, skilled nursing, specialized memory care, and short-term and outpatient rehabilitation services.
“Amanda is never too busy to consider a creative suggestion or lend a hand with a problem that needs solving,” says AnnMarie Petitto-Thomas, Community Life Lead for the Phoebe Richland Health Care Center. “She always puts our residents first. That’s why people love us and always return to our campus!”
Laporte actively engages with the local community by leading educational events like the free yearly Upper Bucks Forum on Aging. She also hosts monthly family and caregiver dementia support groups for the community. The Mayor of Richlandtown and local leaders visit spontaneously—just to chat—because she fosters an inviting atmosphere of compassionate care and dedication.
As the Executive Director of Chestnut Ridge at Rodale, Laporte spent countless hours with construction teams, lifestyle specialists, chefs, and operations specialists. Chestnut Ridge, a luxury wellness-focused community for residents 60 and older, opened its doors in mid-February. Now that residents have moved into their beautiful homes, Laporte continues to drive a culture of kindness, flexibility, and efficiency.
Amanda Laporte’s focus is the well-being of the seniors, their families, and the staff she serves. She always creates an environment that promotes residents’ health, safety, and happiness. She also encourages a positive work culture to enhance the staff’s ability to serve seniors and their families with compassion.
