Today we’d like to introduce you to Fabiola Gaspar.
Hi Fabiola, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I began my journey with this community as an Activities Director. During the opening phase of the community, I took on many additional responsibilities, including housekeeping and assisting wherever help was needed. I also began going out into the community to do marketing. At the time, I had no formal background in marketing, but through that experience I received tremendous support from hospices, home health agencies, physicians, other communities, and fellow marketers. They guided me on how to build strong relationships, communicate effectively, and conduct tours with confidence.
We officially opened our community on September 24 and welcomed our first three residents on July 14. As we continued to grow, I transitioned into the role of Wellness/Health Care Coordinator around June or July. In that position, I had to quickly learn medical processes, medication administration, and clinical responsibilities. While this was new to me, I was fortunate to have strong support from hospice nurses, our physician, our pharmacist, and especially our RN, Ronnie, who has been an incredible asset to our community. Through audits, hands-on guidance, and consistent communication, I received proper training and support to ensure everything was done correctly and safely.
As residents began moving in, I started completing assessments, including nursing assessments, always working closely with my RN to ensure accuracy and compliance. As our census grew to four residents, I took on the role of Administrator, managing payroll, office operations, compliance tasks, building readiness, emergency drills, and increased communication with families.
Over time, my responsibilities expanded further to include answering phones, marketing, staff training, and supporting team development. I work closely with CNAs and medication technicians, helping them grow into stronger caregivers and professionals. I also focus on staff wellness—teaching stress management, effective communication, and person-centered care. In activities programming, we emphasize flexibility: if a resident does not enjoy one activity, we explore alternatives until we find what truly brings them joy.
One of our residents has become a true ambassador for our community. She assists with Bible study and even helps during tours by speaking with family members. Despite living with dementia, she remains sharp, insightful, and supportive, and she has taught me so much about compassion, patience, and leadership.
As I continued to grow professionally, I stepped into the role of Director of the community. While I do not currently have on-site management, I am strongly supported by our regional leadership. Christina, our Regional Director from Georgia, has been an incredible source of guidance, along with Jacinta, an AED from another Georgia community. Their mentorship has been invaluable.
I am also proud to say that I have an exceptional team. Our medication technicians assist with tours, phone calls, and all aspects of resident care. Our caregiving staff supports housekeeping and daily operations. Our Dining Services Director is proactive and communicative, ensuring our residents’ needs are always met. My team consistently keeps me informed about maintenance needs, resident concerns, and operational improvements.
Together, we operate as one strong unit. When I need to go out for marketing, my staff steps up to support residents, families, and daily operations. I also personally cover shifts when CNAs or medication technicians face emergencies or staffing challenges. I believe in leading by example, being hands-on, and being present for my team. When staff feel overwhelmed or stressed, I make it a priority to listen, support them, and give them the reassurance they need.
I truly love what I do. I believe I am a strong leader because I value communication, teamwork, and compassion. I am still learning every day, but I would not be in this position without my incredible staff and support network—our hospices, home health partners, physicians, and community collaborators. This community is what it is today because of teamwork, trust, and shared dedication to our residents.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey has not been a completely smooth road. One of our current challenges is navigating slower months, especially during the holiday season. A key obstacle for me has been helping families truly get to know our team and feel confident that our community is the right place for their loved one.
While I am confident in my communication skills and do not fear difficult conversations, I recognize that there is always room for growth. I am continuously working to strengthen how I communicate with families—learning how to better explain our care approach, build trust more quickly, and meet families where they are emotionally during such an important decision.
Another challenge has been continuing my education in marketing, particularly in areas such as negotiation and understanding the different perspectives families bring when evaluating a memory care community. Every family views care differently, and it is important to respect those differences while clearly sharing who we are and what we offer.
My goal is for families to feel that their loved ones are safe, respected, and genuinely cared for. As a team, we are always growing, learning, and improving so that we can provide the best possible care. Building trust with families takes time, consistency, and compassion, and that is something I am committed to strengthening every day.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What I am most proud of is my ability to create meaningful, engaging experiences for our residents. I personally design our activity programs, creating monthly calendars as well as planning activities throughout the entire year, all the way through December. My focus is on fun, purposeful, and person-centered activities that bring joy, connection, and fulfillment to our residents.
In addition to resident activities, I also create and plan our marketing events for the entire year. These events are supported by strong relationships with hospices, home health agencies, physicians, other community partners, and local entrepreneurs. I am grateful for the ongoing support from my CNAs, medication technicians, and our Dining Services Director, who actively participate in the planning process and help ensure everything runs smoothly. We work as one team, staying aligned and contributing ideas together, which is something I truly value.
I enjoy going above and beyond—creating engaging events, bringing people together, and building a sense of community. Our events are well attended, full of energy, and always centered around connection and joy. Seeing residents, families, and partners come together and truly enjoy themselves is one of the most rewarding parts of my work.
I also specialize in organization and operations. I enjoy creating staff schedules, calendars, and systems that help the community run efficiently. I am very comfortable with technology and enjoy working with tools such as Excel to build schedules, update community information, and improve workflows. Technology allows me to stay organized and innovative, and I enjoy sharing these skills with my staff so they can grow, learn, and feel supported in their own professional development.
What sets me apart is my creativity, hands-on leadership, and willingness to continuously learn and grow. I see this role as an opportunity not only to lead but to inspire others, support my team, and help everyone around me flourish—residents, families, and staff alike.
What does success mean to you?
I define success as progress, not perfection. It’s about continuous growth, even through challenges, and living with purpose rather than focusing solely on results or money.
Personal success means inner peace, happiness, and self-respect. Professional success is doing work that truly matters—helping others, serving with intention, and making a meaningful impact. Relational success is built on strong, healthy relationships rooted in trust and compassion.
For me, success is purpose-driven. It’s knowing that I’ve made a positive difference in someone’s life. In caring for seniors and building a sense of community, success looks like bringing comfort, joy, and dignity to others while continuing to grow as a person and a leader.
Ultimately, success is becoming the best version of myself while positively impacting the lives of those around me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://riverstonemc.com/
- Facebook: RiverStone Memory Center
Image Credits
Fabiola Gaspar
Riverstone Memory Center
Stacy Allen
Staff- Jalene Woodson
