Johnston, Iowa, United States, September 2025 – WesleyLife has officially announced the appointment of Donna Boetger as its new Chief People and Culture Officer, effective September 8, 2025. Boetger joins the organization’s senior leadership team at its Johnston headquarters, bringing with her more than 20 years of HR leadership experience and a demonstrated ability to foster people-first cultures in mission-driven organizations.
In her new role, Donna will be responsible for advancing WesleyLife’s strategic priorities through culture-building, leadership development, and HR innovation. Her appointment aligns with the organization’s growing commitment to redefine the aging experience through compassionate, inclusive, and empowering workplaces.
“Donna brings a remarkable breadth and depth of experience, coupled with a deep commitment to the people who make our mission possible,” said Rob Kretzinger, President and CEO of WesleyLife. “Her ability to connect strategy to culture and culture to results will be an incredible asset as we continue to grow our impact.”
Donna Boetger served most recently as Senior Vice President, Director of Human Resources at Life Care Services (LCS), one of the most respected senior living organizations in the United States. Over an 11-year tenure, she led a team that supported more than 140 communities and 24,000 team members nationwide, driving transformative initiatives across performance management, strategic hiring, leadership development, onboarding, and culture-building. Her efforts helped solidify LCS’s reputation as an employer of choice in the industry.
Prior to her impactful work at LCS, Donna served as Human Resources Director at Eyerly Ball Mental Health, aligning closely with WesleyLife’s focus on mental wellness as a central pillar of overall well-being. Her HR leadership contributed to building supportive systems in community-based mental health care.
She also held key leadership roles at Mail Services in Urbandale and Sunrise Retirement Community in Sioux City, where she advanced HR systems, compliance, and engagement strategies. Donna has consistently focused on innovative HR solutions, including apprenticeship programs, enterprise-wide HR systems, and engagement-focused onboarding, all geared toward team performance, retention, and leadership development.
“Donna’s leadership style, her collaborative approach, and her passion for enriching lives make her a perfect fit for WesleyLife,” Kretzinger added. “We are thrilled to welcome someone whose experience and goals lend themselves so perfectly to our desire to enhance our reach and our impact.”
Donna holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources from Briar Cliff University and an MBA with an emphasis in HR from Bellevue University, equipping her with both strategic insight and operational strength to lead people functions in complex and mission-oriented organizations.
About WesleyLife
WesleyLife is a nonprofit, mission-driven organization committed to revolutionizing the experience of aging by offering inclusive, growth-centered, and joyful living environments. Established more than 75 years ago to serve aging Methodist ministers and their spouses, WesleyLife today delivers services to people across independent and assisted living, rehabilitation, memory support, hospice, home care, home-delivered meals, and adult day programs. With a team of over 1,300 full- and part-time professionals, WesleyLife is driven by Christian compassion and a deep belief that everyone — regardless of physical, social, or economic circumstances — should have the opportunity to live with meaning and purpose.
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