Leading national developer, owner and operator of high-end continuing care retirement communities Vi has announced that Senior VP of Human Resources, Learning and Organizational Development Judy Whitcomb has been named one of Crain’s Chicago Business 2020 “Notable Leaders in HR”. The Crain’s list celebrates top Chicago area HR executives for their success and accomplishments over the last 18 months hrtech news.
Under Whitcomb’s leadership, Vi has been widely recognized for its employee development initiatives, executed to guide and grow future leaders. Whitcomb has been instrumental in the implementation of strong, sustainable and impactful learning and development programs that have enabled Vi to attract and retain top talent in the senior living space. Over the past eight years, companywide turnover has dramatically decreased from 29 percent to 22 percent talent acquisition. Whitcomb and her team also harness the positive effects of employee development success stories, which serve as an employment differentiator to a wide applicant pool while also being a motivating and inspirational force within the organization.
Whitcomb spearheads strategies to ensure employees thrive at Vi, securing local and national partnerships with relevant organizations such as AARP, U.S. Jobs and community colleges. Through outreach to high schools and community colleges, she has cultivated interest in senior living careers and has initiated an apprenticeship strategy to foster upcoming talent and engage potential future Vi employees.
“I am humbled and honored to be recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business, especially among some of the top leaders in human resources,” said Whitcomb. “I am immensely proud that during my tenure at Vi, working alongside my human resources and business partners, we have become an award-winning employer-of-choice, committed to growth and development for all employees. Looking towards the future, I hope to positively impact the lives of our employees with continued opportunities to better themselves, which in turn improves the quality of service and care for Vi residents.”
“For more than a decade, Judy has done an exceptional job leading our human resources operations at Vi, and we’re thrilled to see her recognized for her contributions to the company and countless employees who have grown under her guidance,” said Randy Richardson, President at Vi. “At Vi, we’re dedicated to providing the best possible quality of life for our residents, and that starts with how we train, develop and grow our team. Judy plays a crucial role in leading these efforts and keeping our employees engaged, and we all celebrate this honor with her.”
In addition to a bachelor’s degree from DePaul University and an MBA from Roosevelt University, Whitcomb graduated from Northwestern’s Executive Scholars Program. Whitcomb is SPHR and SHRM-SCP certified and has spent 19 years of her career in various HR leadership, marketing and operational roles at United Airlines. Dedicated to her “leaders as teachers” philosophy, Whitcomb serves on Chief Learning Officer Magazine’s editorial board and Harvard Business Publishing’s Advisory Council. She also serves on the workforce development team of Argentum, the nation’s largest senior living association. On top of a wealth of professional commitments, Whitcomb prioritizes her involvement within the HR community by contributing to professional publications, participating in panels and speaking at conferences.
To learn more about Vi communities, visit http://www.viliving.com.
About Vi
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Vi operates 10 continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) across the United States. With more than 30 years of experience as the owner and operator of residential communities for older adults, Vi continues to work toward providing quality environments, services and programs to enrich the lives of those they serve. In 2019, Vi was recognized by Great Place to Work and Fortune as one of the Best Workplaces for Aging Services and was ranked as one of Glassdoor’s “Top 100 Best Places to Work”.