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Mr. Rowe began his career with six years of service as an officer in the United States Air Force Medical Service Corps. He later held senior leadership positions in several aging service communities, applying his broad healthcare experience to strengthen operations and enhance the lives of older adults. As Executive Director of Masonic Village at Elizabethtown, a Life Plan Community serving approximately 2,000 residents, he led a significant operational and organizational repositioning that improved quality, financial performance, and satisfaction among residents and team members. He has also served as Interim Executive Director at University Village in Tampa, Florida, and Rydal Park & Waters in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Rowe holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Florida State University and a Master of Health Services Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. He became a licensed nursing home administrator in 2013.

At Applewood Village, Mike brings his extensive experience to support residents and team members, ensuring continuity of operations and services, and advancing FellowshipLIFE’s mission to transform the aging experience.

Mike lives in Richmond, Virginia, with his wife, children, and grandchildren.

In her current position, Karen leads a team that assists prospective residents and their families in navigating the complexities of senior living. She emphasizes the importance of making well-informed decisions that are both financially sound and emotionally supportive. Karen’s commitment to this role stems from her understanding that choosing senior living is a significant decision, and she aims to replicate the happiness experienced by residents at Applewood Village for others.

Karen graduated from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Communications/Public Relations. She has worked in other senior communities in various states and worked with the National Family Caregiver Support Program. Her passion for helping people is what motivates her every day.

During his tenure at Applewood Village, Mr. Braunstein successfully implemented menu innovations, food service forums, and sustainability initiatives that have improved communication, service, and resident satisfaction. He is also the creator and facilitator of the “Culinary Institute of Applewood”, one of the most popular engaged living activities for Applewood Village residents.  Mr. Braunstein has also held multiple corporate roles including Director of Training, Director of Purchasing & Director of Quality Assurance & Food Safety while previously employed by a major regional food contract management company in the NY Metro Area.

Mr. Braunstein holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration/hotel restaurant management from Michigan State University and is a Certified Dietary Manager / Certified Food Protection Professional.  Mr. Braunstein resides in Cliffwood Beach, New Jersey, and lives with his wife and two children.

Tim is experienced in improving processes to increase productivity and reduce operating costs, quickly identifying obstacles, and implementing effective solutions. He is committed to collaboration and maintaining positive relationships with residents, team members, and vendors to ensure a safe, efficient, and well-maintained community.

Over the past decade, Chef Patterson, has brought his skills, vision, and leadership to the Applewood Village kitchens. Where he takes great pride in refining the culinary experience as well as introducing innovative ideas including his much sought after “Exhibition Dinners”.

When not at Applewood Village, Chef Patterson, can be found spending quality time with his wife Sara and their two young sons Theo and Wesley.

Ms. Scanlon has applied the seven dimensions of wellness for all residents in every stage of their life through Engaged Living including, but not limited to physical, cognitive, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing. She is truly passionate about ensuring all residents feel they are living life to their fullest potential while implementing many requests from hundreds of different personalities and interests. 

Ms. Scanlon has a master’s degree in social work from Monmouth University. She received her professional certification in Assisted Living Administration in 2022 and became a Dementia Capable Care Specialist in 2024.

After law school, he completed a judicial clerkship for the Honorable Mahlon Fast, J.S.C. Since joining the firm, he has received a Master of Laws degree from New York University School of Law.

Mr. Zenna is a member of the Essex, Hudson and Morris County bar associations. He was also admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals (3rd Circuit). As a member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, he lectured on their behalf with regard to trial advocacy, and in 2010 lectured for the New Jersey Association for Justice regarding the use of rebuttal testimony. Mr. Zenna has also been a member of the William J. Brennan, Jr. Inn of Court, since 1997. He is a long-standing member of the New Jersey chapter of The Miami Project, dedicated to the cure of paralysis, and he was approved in 2013 to sit on the New Jersey Supreme Court’s 10B Ethics Committee for Morris County for a four-year term.

As a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator and Certified Public Accountant, Mr. Lawrence brings a rare and valuable combination of financial and operational expertise to his role. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Seton Hall University, where he graduated magna cum laude, and an Executive MBA in Finance from New York University’s Stern Graduate School of Business.

In his current capacity, Mr. Lawrence leads FellowshipLIFE’s highly experienced senior executive team and is responsible for the overall performance of Healthcare, Medical and Wellness Services, Independent Living, and Home and Community-Based Services. He works closely with the Board of Directors of FellowshipLIFE and its affiliates to execute forward-looking strategic plans, expand access to aging services, and ensure operational excellence across multiple communities in New Jersey and beyond.

Recognizing the growing need for not-for-profit senior living providers to access operational and strategic expertise, Mr. Lawrence launched FellowshipLIFE Management Services – Partners. Performance. Purpose. This service extends FellowshipLIFE’s deep industry knowledge, operational best practices, and leadership culture to like-minded organizations seeking to strengthen their performance, grow strategically, and advance their missions.

Mr. Lawrence’s leadership has been widely recognized throughout the senior living industry. In 2019, he received the prestigious President’s Award from LeadingAge New Jersey, honoring his outstanding contributions to the field. He is an active member of the American Society on Aging, LeadingAge, Healthcare Financial Management Association, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Mrs. DiFrancesco was the first recipient of Joan Vagelos Currie Award for Excellence in Teaching, the volunteer of the year award in Somerset County and the Educator of the year award in Somerset County. She is a longtime active member of Somerset Hills Baptist Church.

Before Travel + Leisure, Michael worked for Wyndham Worldwide and Cendant Corporation, both of which were predecessors to T+L Co, serving in a variety of roles in corporate finance including leading the finance organization for Jackson Hewitt Tax Service.

Mr. Toscano started his career at Arthur Andersen’s Roseland NJ office in the audit practice. He has broad experience in finance, including audit, controllership, financial planning & analysis, and M&A. He is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in NJ.

Mr. Toscano has a BS in Accounting from Villanova University and an MBA from the Columbia Business School. He is an active supporter of his undergrad alma mater, serving as a member of their Accounting Advisory Board. He resides in Basking Ridge with his wife and 3 children. Mr. Toscano is an active supporter of St James Parish and School along with his wife Suzanne.

Mr. Kostinas has counseled clients for transplantation services, cardiac surgery, new psychiatric hospitals, major capital projects, free-standing ambulatory surgery centers, ESRD centers, linear accelerators, nursing homes, assisted living, medical day care centers, Life Plan Communities, cardiac care programs, and rehabilitation.

In addition to his professional positions, Mr. Kostinas has also been very involved in community activities. Mr. Kostinas served on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton for 23 years, including Chairman of Governance Committee and Chairman of Hamilton Continuing Care Center. Mr. Kostinas is Past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Springpoint, Past Chairman and is a member of the Board of Trustees of Children’s Specialized Hospital and past member and officer of the Board of Directors of Integrity House.

Mr. Fodera has over 40 years of experience in public accounting and taxation and is still active in the profession with a small practice in New Jersey. He is active with the NJCPA and currently serves as treasurer of that organization’s scholarship fund. He has been a frequent speaker on the New Jersey Law and Ethics program and has been appointed to the State Board of Accountancy by Governor Phillip Murphy. Mr. Fodera’s practice concentrations include real estate, construction, legal and professional service firms, manufacturing and distribution industries, healthcare practices, and nonprofit and governmental organizations.

Mr. Fodera is a graduate of Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey. He has served on the board and committees of various local and national not-for-profit and charitable organizations. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New Jersey Society of Public Accountants. Mr. Fodera resides with his wife in Hillsborough, NJ and has two daughters and two grandchildren.

Recognized for her expertise and leadership, Ms. Bruce rose to Vice President of Professional Service for the LTC division, where she played a pivotal role in setting standards and enhancing patient care quality. In 1998, she became one of the founding partners of a leading long-term-care pharmacy provider in New Jersey, assuming the role of Director of Sales & Marketing. 

Upon relocating to Applewood Village, Ms. Bruce immersed herself in community engagement, serving on committees and co-founding the Applewood Village’s Women’s Club. Her involvement culminated in leadership roles within the Residents Association Executive Committee, including Vice President and Acting President before her election as President in January 2024. 

Ms. Bruce is delighted to leverage her extensive experience and leadership skills to support the mission of Applewood Village’s Board of Advisors in a positive and impactful manner.

At CentraState, Scott oversees a 284-bed acute care hospital, two senior living communities, an ambulatory campus, four satellite health pavilions, a family medicine residency program and more than 2,500 employees.

He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, a Fellow of The Advisory Board, and he serves on the board of trustees of the VNA Health Group and the board of directors of NJHA Business Solutions. He is also an at-large delegate to the American Hospital Association’s Regional Policy Review Board 2 (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania), and a board member for the New Jersey Hospital Association.

He received a bachelor’s degree from St. Lawrence University and a master’s degree in health administration from Cornell University. He is a board member of New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and is president and chair of Boy Scouts of America Monmouth Council. He lives in Manasquan with his family.

Beyond his clinical roles, Dr. Matera is a prominent voice in the healthcare community, sought after as a national speaker on a wide array of medical topics. His influence extends to the realm of medical education and knowledge dissemination as an editor and podcast host for Consultant 360, where he plays a pivotal role in shaping and delivering impactful content.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Matera is a multi-faceted individual with a passion for culinary arts. His culinary skills have been showcased on the renowned Food Network show “Cooks Vs. Cons,” where he emerged victorious alongside Chef Geoffrey Zakarian in 2017. When not in the kitchen or in the clinic, he enjoys immersing himself in literature, perfecting his golf swing, and creating harmonies on the bass. Family holds a central place in his life, with cherished moments spent with loved ones in both his New Jersey residence and his retreat in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Chris joined Holleran in May 2021 as President, bringing extensive expertise in healthcare marketing, sales, communications, and operations. She oversees Holleran’s operations, sales, and marketing efforts while strengthening relationships with community clients and industry collaborators. She has also helped expand Holleran’s research capabilities through collaboration with vendor partners and industry leaders.
Prior to Holleran, Chris served as a Sales and Marketing Consultant for Tandem Senior Living Advisors, where she developed strategies that significantly increased sales and occupancy for Life Plan Communities. She also served as Regional Director of Sales, Marketing, and Communications for PACE Programs, supporting 13 programs nationwide in achieving enrollment growth and brand recognition.

Earlier in her career, Chris was Director of Marketing and Public Relations for St. Francis Medical Center, where she led a successful rebranding initiative that positioned the hospital as a leader in cardiovascular services. A respected speaker within the aging services field, Chris frequently presents at LeadingAge conferences, board retreats, and national industry events. She earned her
MBA from Rider University and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from The College
of New Jersey. She currently serves on the Advisory Board of the TCNJ School of
Nursing and Health Sciences.

Ms. Edelstein previously served for 28 years in executive leadership roles at the New Jersey Hospital Association, where she worked extensively with acute care, post-acute, and aging services providers in the areas of advocacy, quality improvement, managed care, emergency preparedness, leadership, and professional education. She has also served as the regulatory consultant to LeadingAge New Jersey & Delaware for more than 10 years and to the New Jersey PACE Association for more than seven years.In addition to her consulting work, Ms. Edelstein teaches in the undergraduate and Master’s Health Administration programs at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University. A respected leader and advocate within the aging services field, Ms. Edelstein is actively involved in initiatives addressing ageism as a facilitator for the National Center to Reframe Aging in Washington, DC. She also serves on the Medical Assistance Advisory Council, an appointment made by the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services.

Throughout his career, David has held senior leadership roles with some of the nation’s most respected aging services organizations, including the LCS Family of Companies and HealthPRO Heritage. His experience includes owning and operating a statewide rehabilitation services practice, serving as Executive Director of an assisted living and memory care community, and leading national growth and business development initiatives.
David currently serves as Chief of Strategy & Growth at Expense Consulting, where he works with not-for-profit aging services organizations across the country to strengthen operations, improve financial performance, and develop long term strategic solutions. A respected national speaker and advisor, he is recognized for his expertise in strategic growth, capital planning, and organizational transformation.
David brings to the FellowshipLIFE Board of Trustees a unique combination of clinical expertise, operational leadership, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to advancing innovative, mission driven aging services.