Consistent leadership through a complex time with Dan Lavender

December 25, 2025

Dan is the CEO of Moorings Park, a nonprofit senior living organization with three campuses in Naples. He has been with the organization for nearly 20 years, first as CFO. Before that he ran his own packaged delivery service small business in Ohio. On this episode Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Dan talked about how the concept of VUCA — leading through Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity — has helped make him a better leader and the organization stronger. They also talked about how Dan hopes his team sees him as a leader.

3 Takeaways

(05:30) Leadership is humility and professional will
(08:10) Mission driven organizations focus on the end result
(09:20) Separate success from leadership

Timestamps

(00:00) Introducing Dan Lavender, CEO, Moorings Park
(03:15) What is Moorings Park?
(04:00) How did you get into senior living?
(05:10) What defines good leadership?
(07:20) Leadership influences
(08:45) Learning from residents at Moorings Park
(10:30) Decisions that shaped you
(11:35) Balancing short and long term wins
(13:40) Handling conflict
(14:40) Resiliency as a leader
(17:10) Your leadership style
(18:15) Moorings Park in 2026

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