Kenwood by Senior Star leader finds purpose in pivot to health care
By Christian LeDuc – Staff reporter, Cincinnati Business Courier
Original publish date Mar 14, 2025
Scott Gibson is the executive director and health care administrator for The Kenwood by Senior Star, one of Cincinnati’s largest retirement communities. He’s been at the helm for more than five years and has decades of experience in the industry, but it’s not where he imagined himself.
“I went to school to be a preacher,” he said. “Senior living kind of just happened to me.”
He has degrees in theology and public speaking from Cincinnati Christian University.
“Those correlate really well with what I do,” he said. “The No. 1 thing that I do is build relationships.”
Gibson’s mentor J. Donald Sams, the founder of the Christian Village at Mason, first introduced him to the industry when he was a young man. Sams provided a path for Gibson’s education in health care.
“At the time, I had three kids. I was like, ‘I can’t afford to take off work and go back to school,’” Gibson said. “So, he paid for my school, … paid me a salary and he took me under his wing.”
Gibson graduated from the Ohio State University in 2012 and entered the healthcare industry. Then in 2019, his family suffered a tragic loss when his youngest daughter, Sable, died from flu complications.
That year, Senior Star recruited him to join the team at the Kenwood. “The timing was right,” he said.
Now Gibson, who also serves on Mason City Council, channels his daughter’s passion and kindness for others through his work with the city, at The Kenwood and his charity, the Shine Like Sable foundation that he leads alongside his wife.
How has the industry changed over the past decade?
It has evolved significantly over the last 10 years to meet the needs of a growing and diverse aging population. Residents today expect a continuum of care that supports their lifestyle while providing access to health care if needed. There has been a significant shift toward concierge services, robust activity programming and wellness initiatives to help residents live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives.
What do you predict for the industry within the next decade?
While technology will continue to shape the senior living industry, human connection remains at the heart. We stay on top of innovative tools and trends, but we believe in a personal, resident-focused approach over simply adopting technology for technology’s sake. We incorporate innovations… that help residents stay active, and dining robots which free up staff to spend more time with the residents.
How do you motivate your employees?
Our associates are the foundation of everything we do. When employees feel valued and empowered, it directly enhances the care and service we provide to residents. Many of our associates have been with us for five, 10, even 15-plus years, which is rare in this industry. This longevity fosters deep, meaningful relationships between staff, residents and families.
How important is philanthropy to you?
It is one of the most important things that I do. I have been very blessed with a lot in my life and even where I am at professionally allows me to be even more generous. I think it goes beyond just writing a check.
What is the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I don’t sweat the small stuff. I used to get pretty worked up about little things, especially at work, and then I unfortunately went through a tragic loss. I talk about it a lot because it has shaped me. If money can fi x it, you don’t have a problem.
What are some of your favorite Tri-State restaurants?
My wife and I really enjoy going to nicer restaurants when it is just the two of us. We love (Jeff Ruby restaurants). My daughter’s favorite restaurant was Skyline Chili. So every year on her birthday we all meet there for dinner. Our favorite place, I would say, is Two Cities Pizza Co. in Mason.
Scott Gibson
Title: Executive director and health care administrator for The Kenwood by Senior Star
Residence: Mason
Family: Wife and five adult children
Education: Bachelors in theological and ministerial studies, Cincinnati Christian University (now closed); Ohio State University
Career path: Started out in the ministry before being recruited to join the senior living industry
Kenwood by Senior Star leader finds purpose in pivot to health care article curtesy of Cincinnati Business Courier