PALM HARBOR, FL – [May 14, 2026] – St. Mark Village, a nonprofit Life Care community in Palm Harbor, announced that Assisted Living Administrator Danielle Gorddard has been selected to the Senior Housing News Future Leaders Class of 2026 and the Leading Age Southeast Leadership Academy Class of 2026, both national recognition programs honoring emerging leaders who are shaping the future of senior housing and care.
Presented annually by Senior Housing News, the Future Leaders program recognizes high-performing professionals under the age of 40 who demonstrate leadership, innovation and commitment to advancing the senior living industry. The Future Leaders program highlights professionals who are introducing new ideas, strengthening operational excellence and helping shape the future direction of senior housing and healthcare services.
The LeadingAge Southeast Leadership Academy Class of 2026 is a year-long professional development program designed to cultivate transformational leaders in aging services through leadership training, collaboration, and experiential learning opportunities. The academy is created around five core ideas: leadership and self-reflection, advocacy, partnership and collaborations, innovation and change, and work life balance.
In her role at St. Mark Village, Gorddard oversees daily operations for assisted living and memory care, including staffing, regulatory compliance, quality outcomes and strategic initiatives focused on enhancing the resident experience. She also leads the implementation of the Teepa Snow Positive Approach to Care® dementia training program to strengthen person-centered memory care practices across the community.
“Danielle’s passion for serving older adults, developing teams and driving innovation in senior living is evident in everything she does,” said Chief Executive Officer and President Jeff Gorddard. “She leads with energy, compassion and a strong commitment to excellence, and this recognition reflects the meaningful impact she is already making within our organization and throughout the industry. We are incredibly proud of her achievement and excited to see her continued leadership growth.”
Danielle Gorddard joined St. Mark Village in 2020 as a COVID screener, then returned in 2024 as an administrator in training before being promoted to assisted living administrator in 2025. She completed her Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration from the University of Northern Colorado and holds multiple certifications and licenses related to dementia care, assisted living administration and long-term care leadership.
“Being recognized by Senior Housing News and selected for the LeadingAge Southeast Leadership Academy is truly an honor,” said Danielle Gorddard. “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given to grow as a leader while serving older adults, which is a responsibility I care deeply about. It is a privilege to support our residents, their families and our team each day, and I take great pride in helping create an environment where seniors are heard and feel valued, respected and genuinely cared for.”
To learn more about St. Mark Village, its full continuum of care, and the lifestyle it offers, visit stmarkvillage.org.
About St. Mark Village
Founded in 1977, St. Mark Village was established with a vision of supporting whole-person wellness—body, mind, and spirit. Today, the community serves more than 460 residents in Palm Harbor, Florida, offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation services within a comprehensive Life Care model. As a nonprofit organization, St. Mark Village remains dedicated to reinvesting in its community and delivering a deeply personal, mission-driven approach to senior living.
