FREEHOLD, NJ — April 14, 2025 — Distinctive Living, a national senior living management and development company, announced that it has been certified as a “Great Place to Work” for the fourth consecutive year.
Distinctive Living’s achievement of the Great Place to Work certification is a testament to its dedication to cultivating an exemplary workplace culture. By prioritizing employee development and well-being, the company has successfully created an environment that champions respect, integrity and service excellence.
At the heart of this commitment lies a set of core values that guide decision-making and foster a sense of belonging among employees. The leadership team is particularly devoted to open communication and regularly soliciting feedback through solutions such as goHappy.
“At Distinctive Living, we believe a thriving workplace culture goes beyond job satisfaction—it’s rooted in shared values, meaningful growth and open communication,” said Kate Wentworth, Senior Vice President, People and Culture. “This belief drives us to invest in programs that foster personal and professional development, strengthen collaboration, and celebrate leadership. Our Annual Leadership Summit is a prime example of how we bring our culture to life—by empowering our teams to grow together.”
“Leadership and personal growth inspire creativity and innovation, further solidifying our status as a truly great place to work,” said CEO Joseph J. Jedlowski. “Whether it’s through our leadership retreats, technology or training, our teams are empowered to contribute more effectively to our company’s success.”
These efforts not only enhance job satisfaction and morale at Distinctive Living, but also give its teams a sense of ownership and pride in their contributions to making senior living communities warm, welcoming and vibrant places for our residents to call home.
Distinctive Living’s commitment to nurturing a positive workplace culture enhances the senior living resident experience. Team members who are motivated and supported are better equipped to provide attentive service and care, leading to more personalized interactions,” said Executive Vice President and COO Shelley Esden. “Our culture ensures that teams remain knowledgeable about best practices in operations, dining services, programming and care, enabling them to more effectively meet the needs of every resident.”
The Great Place to Work certification process surveyed employees across all Distinctive Living locations, evaluating over 60 aspects of their work experience. This included employees’ pride in their work, their belief that their work makes a difference, and their sense of meaningfulness in their roles. The rankings are based on employees’ genuine experiences, providing an authentic reflection of the workplace culture.
At Distinctive Living, the workplace scored exceptionally high in five key areas:
- 84% of team members said it is a great place to work compared to 57% of employees at a typical US-based company.
- 94% of team members said people are given a lot of responsibility.
- 94% of team members said they are able to take time off from work when they think it is necessary.
- 94% of team members said their work has special meaning and it is not just a job.
- 94% of team members said they can be themselves at work.
With another year of proudly earning the Great Place to Work certification, Distinctive Living remains committed to creating a workplace that respects and uplifts its employees, creating a happier and more supportive environment for all who work and live in senior living.
About Distinctive Living
Distinctive Living executes our mission by bringing a higher standard of excellence to each community in the key areas of recruitment; hiring and training; programming; quality assurance; and regulatory compliance. Each ensure the delivery of superior hospitality and care services, budgetary oversight and financial management. Deeply dedicated and passionate about delivering the highest standard of service and care to our residents and families, our team is driven by our core values of Respect, Integrity, Service Excellence and Enthusiasm. For more information, visit distinctive-liv.com.
Join the Distinctive Living Team
Explore a rewarding career in senior living by joining the Distinctive Living team. We create a positive workplace culture through mutual trust and respect, open communication, teamwork, and continuous improvement. To view current job openings, visit our Careers page and start the journey toward a more fulfilling future serving older adults at a Distinctive Living-managed community.
About Great Place to Work
Activated Insights is the senior care affiliate of Great Place to Work, the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. Through its aging services certification program, Activated Insights helps Great Place to Work recognize outstanding workplace cultures in the aging services industry.
###
