29 April 2025
The measure of a leader is not only the success of their professional endeavours, but the lasting impact they leave on others.
Arlene Adamson, who was at the helm of Silvera for nearly 14 years, has been an extraordinary leader both at Silvera and within the seniors’ housing industry as the chair of the Alberta Seniors & Community Housing Association (ASCHA). She has shown an unwavering dedication to the organization that, by all accounts, was a very different one when she accepted the position of CEO in 2011. After serving as CEO until the end of 2024, she stepped into an advisory role for the past four months to support the smooth transition to the new CEO Kyle Fawcett. She is now moving into a new phase of her life.
In the beginning
Arlene joined Silvera, then MCF (Metropolitan Calgary Foundation), after learning they were looking for new leadership. “I had been with the YWCA for 10 years and was looking for a new challenge. I was very interested in working in the seniors’ sector to make sure they had the best quality of life.”
Arlene had recently moved her parents into a care facility. That somewhat tumultuous experience showed her there was a better way for seniors to live in their later years.
“I very much wanted to be a part of changing seniors housing, so older people were not living in hospitals. I knew that seniors could thrive in vibrant communities, where they felt the comfort of home, had the right care supports, could make friends, and continue to learn and grow together.”
When Arlene began, staff engagement was low and turnover high, and the buildings needed significant work and investment. Funder support was minimal. She developed and strengthened relationships within all levels of government and began the path forward to evolve services, build and retrofit buildings and invest in staff through training, development, and recognition.
To address the lack of public awareness of the organization, in 2012, MCF rebranded as Silvera – the Silver Era – setting a new tone to honour the “silver generation.” Arlene worked with the Board of Directors and staff to establish strategic imperatives and core values that would guide the direction of the organization to provide a shared foundation.
She also set out a path for growth to grow as a service organization, with a focus on enhancing programs that would not only offer residents a home but also an environment to be actively engaged, to live with purpose. She emphasized that staff were a priority through her commitment to ensure Silvera invested in a learning environment with robust training, meaningful recognition and competitive compensation. At the same time, the team unlocked land assets and set a course to build and grow Silvera’s housing offerings.
“It’s been the job of a lifetime to see the changes in the organization. Silvera is not just about housing and feeding people. We are about creating homes, supporting quality lives for older adults through comfortable communities, great dining and an abundance of lifelong learning experiences,” she says.
“It brings me enormous pride to hear family members, the public and our partners resoundingly saying Silvera is a wonderful organization. And it warms my heart to hear residents say they love living at Silvera and they love the staff!”
Arlene ensured staff appreciated the delicate balance that they are working in the homes of seniors, not that seniors are living in the employees’ workplace. “Our staff has really embraced the notion of creating home, building a sense of community, making spaces that seniors are proud to live in.”
It’s always been about the people
Arlene says she is most proud of the team built during her time as CEO, and it’ll be the people she misses the most.
“There have been so many fantastic moments for me – having coffee with residents, job shadowing staff members. So many people have left an imprint on me here. The employees who didn’t believe they were capable of doing the hard things who surprised themselves. The times when people were in my office with tears in their eyes, while sharing difficult experiences. The people who genuinely love what they’re doing and glow with pride. The many moments of side-splitting hilarity when we laughed until we cried. These are all memories I will hang onto. I will treasure forever the people.”
A key goal of Arlene’s was to ensure staff felt valued. “The work of each person on our team is critical. This work is hard. There are many challenges and opportunities over the years. But it is purposeful, noble work and we aim to ensure we have the right people doing it.”
She says she is also grateful for the many volunteers who give their time to Silvera, from the people who lead activities in our communities to those who run the board.
“There are so many individuals – so many – who have had an impact on this organization. Sometimes we have had to manage difficult situations together. The floods of 2013. The COVID-19 pandemic. Those were hard times. But we made it through them, stronger and more confident. I’ve always said, if you have anxiety about the future or challenges ahead, just look at the wake of greatness behind you.”
Growing our communities
Arlene reflects on the incredible growth of the organization over the past 14 years. “We have acquired land, redeveloped spaces, built new buildings, and doubled the number of homes in our portfolio. We have also had to be courageous to get out of buildings that no longer served us well. That was hard to do in a housing crisis. But we have always been committed to ensuring people are living where they can thrive.”
Today, Arlene is confident Silvera is a stable organization with a solid culture and team, and tremendous opportunities to build upon. “We have invested in our buildings and our people, and in all parts of our organization. I am thrilled that we are in a strong place with a fantastic reputation to move into the future.”
Some final thoughts
“I don’t think everyone is as blessed to have worked in a role that fills your heart the way this job has filled mine,” Arlene says. “I take away so many treasured memories, and such pride in the team, I’m a better person for having had the opportunity to be the leader of this organization.”
In her next chapter, Arlene says she’s looking forward to giving time to herself, managing her health, and bringing more balance to her life.
Albeit under more restricted time, Arlene is still committed to working to improve life for seniors. “I will find a way to balance my health with assuming bits and pieces of work to continue contributing to the industry. I trust that something will come along that fits into more of a balanced space for me.
“Handing the torch to Kyle has been a great way to bring my time as CEO to a close and I know that Silvera is in excellent hands under his leadership. Silvera has a great team and we are in such a strong position as an organization. Silvera has a great future ahead of it.
“It has truly been the journey of a lifetime.”