Dean Palombaro
I Build Culture. I Tell Stories. I Lead with Heart.
- Role
- Senior Executive Director at Journey
- Location
- Cleveland, OH, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Dean Palombaro
I’m not your traditional healthcare executive: I’m a builder, a storyteller, and a disruptor reshaping what it means to age, lead, and grow in senior living.With 16+ years of operational leadership, I’ve rebuilt broken systems, re-engaged burned-out teams, and rebranded facilities others gave up on. I’ve led turnarounds, increased census, and restored trust: not just through process, but through people.But what truly sets me apart is the way I blend business with brand. I’ve created viral content viewed by over 100 million people by capturing the humor, wisdom, and heart of older adults. I use social media as a strategy, not a side project because I believe connection drives everything: culture, recruitment, reputation, and ultimately results.I believe leadership is personal. Culture is a KPI. And aging deserves a better story. I’m here to build that story from the ground floor to the C-suite.If you’re looking to connect with a modern healthcare leader who knows how to operate with empathy, scale with strategy, and lead with purpose, let’s talk.I’m proud to lead with Journey, but everything shared here is through my own lens as a builder, storyteller, and believer in better aging.
Experience
Senior Executive Director
Jun 2025 — Present · Kirtland and Chardon, OH, US
Provide executive leadership and operational oversight for two skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities, ensuring alignment with Journey’s vision, values, and performance expectations.Drive strategic initiatives across both campuses to enhance quality outcomes, optimize financial performance, and improve resident and family satisfaction.Lead and mentor interdisciplinary leadership teams, fostering a culture of accountability, compassion, and innovation.Champion employee engagement and retention through consistent team development, recognition, and leadership visibility.Partner closely with clinical, operational, and support teams to deliver exceptional care experiences and ensure regulatory compliance.Serve as a key driver of census growth and business development through market presence, community outreach, and referral partnerships.Represent both communities in system-wide initiatives while elevating the standards of excellence in care and service delivery.
Education
Cleveland State University
Master of Business Administration (MBA), Health/Health Care Administration/Management
2007 — 2009
The College of Wooster
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Philosophy
2003 — 2007
Skills
- Event Planning
- Operations Management
- Medicaid
- Powerpoint
- Microsoft Excel
- Healthcare
- Leadership
- Healthcare Management
- Marketing
- Microsoft Office
- Social Media
- Hospitals
- Human Resources
- Nonprofits
- Budgeting
- Program Development
- Team Building
- Management
- Microsoft Word
- Fundraising
- Employee Relations
- Strategic Planning
- Training
- Nursing
- Managed Care
- Recruiting
- Community Outreach
- Customer Service
- Medicare
- Public Speaking
- Quality Assurance
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