The Board of Directors of LeadingAge Wisconsin is pleased to announce the appointment of Brendan Williams, J.D., as the association’s next President & CEO, effective January 4, 2027. Williams was selected following a thorough, thoughtful, and deliberate national search led by the association’s Search Committee and Board of Directors.
“This appointment marks an important and exciting moment for our association,” said Michelle Godfrey, Chair of the Board of Directors. “The last few years have asked a great deal of our members, our staff, and our board, and we were committed to taking the time needed to find the right leader for this next chapter. In Brendan, we found exactly that. His education, credentials, and depth of experience in government, law, advocacy, and managing an aging services association give us great
confidence that he will build on our strengths and move LeadingAge Wisconsin forward with clarity and energy.”
Williams brings more than 15 years of experience in aging services, most recently serving as the President & CEO of the New Hampshire Health Care Association, where he has had 160 solo op-eds published in New Hampshire print media and has appeared over 20 times on New Hampshire television news. He is a frequent contributor to McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, and, in 2020, he exposed shortcomings in federal personal protective equipment in major media outlets, including the New York Times, leading to the discontinuation of a defective isolation gown.
Williams helped to secure significant Medicaid increases in the state and grew the size of the association by welcoming county nursing homes and non-profit Life Plan Communities into the membership.
Williams holds a bachelor’s degree from Evergreen State College, a master’s degree from Washington State University, and a law degree from the University of Washington School of Law. He holds a license to practice law in Washington State. Prior to his tenure at the New Hampshire Health Care Association, Williams was the attorney for, then head of, the Washington Health Care Association before leaving in January 2005 to take office as a three-term state representative, where he passed 27 bills into law. He served as a deputy insurancecommissioner in Washington from 2010-13 overseeing state regulatory implementation of the Affordable Care Act and spent time as general counsel for a national trade association.
“I am honored to join LeadingAge Wisconsin and to serve its members across the state. I have been impressed by the commitment and resilience of this community, and I look forward to working alongside the board, staff, and members to build on that foundation and shape a strong future together,” said Williams.
“Brendan was an exceptional leader and true mentor,” stated Brenda Orffer, president and CEO of the American Neurological Association, who worked for Williams in Washington.
“Our loss is Wisconsin’s gain,” stated Brian Newman, president and CEO of Silverstone Living and vice chair of the NHHCA Board of Directors. “Brendan has worked exceptionally hard for us and accomplished a great deal.”
Lynda Bogdala, who co-chaired the Search Committee, added, “Our committee heard clearly from members and the board about what they needed in their next leader, and Brendan stood out at every stage of the process. We are genuinely excited about what lies ahead.”
To ensure a smooth and well-supported transition, Kathryn Brod, who has served as interim executive support for LeadingAge Wisconsin, will remain with the association through the fall and will work closely with the Board of Directors and Search Committee to support Williams’ onboarding. The Board would like to extend their thanks to the members of the Search Committee: Co-chairs Lynda Bogdala and Amy Duhr, Megan Feirtag, Matt Mauthe, Renee Anderson, Kara Gruber and Katie Smith Sloan.
About LeadingAge Wisconsin:
LeadingAge Wisconsin is a statewide, non-profit organization whose members include care providers across the field of long-term care, assisted living, and housing for older adults. LeadingAge Wisconsin serves our members through advocacy, education, and collaborative strategies. We work to create a continuum of care that supports the independence and quality of life of older adults and individuals with disabilities. As a trusted resource, we help members solve challenges and deliver services and programs that meet their needs.
