Our leadership team is bound together by Embrace Living Communities’ calling to serve others through our affordable senior housing management and services. Together, we have over 100 years of dedication and compassion to bringing bold and innovative solutions to senior living communities where people of all backgrounds and abilities can enjoy a healthier, more secure life.
Wayne Foley serves as the Chief Executive Officer at Embrace Living Communities. Wayne brings over 30 years of executive leadership experience to our organization. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), he has served as Chief Financial Officer for companies with revenues up to $350 million and spent two decades as Chief Executive Officer of private equity portfolio companies with revenues as high as $75 million. This experience as both a CEO and CFO gives him a unique business perspective enabling him to assist management to maximize their goals. Wayne looks forward to assisting Embrace Living Communities in continuing to provide affordable welcoming housing solutions for seniors and persons with disabilities.
Jennifer Truppa serves as the Director of Operations at Embrace Living Communities. Jennifer is responsible for the design, development and implementation of strategies to strengthen operations and resident services within Embrace Living’s housing communities. Jennifer is an accomplished mission driven leader as the recipient of several national awards from the American Association of Service Coordinators, including a National Award and Honorable Mention for programming during covid19. Since 2014, Jennifer has served as a member of the American Association of Service Coordinators National Board of Directors.
Ed Havlovic is the Director of Plant Operations of Embrace Living Communities. In this role, Ed oversees physical plant operations for all housing communities to ensure system-wide continuity, and provides technical support to on-site maintenance and housekeeping. In addition, he coordinates maintenance training and safety programs and participates in the development, construction and rehabilitation of housing communities, including the coordination of bidding processes for all capital projects.
Dawn Zenkner is the Vice President of Finance for Embrace Living Communities. With over 20 years of experience in HUD accounting, budgeting and real estate tax, Dawn leads the finance team in managing comprehensive financial operations, overseeing investment policies, legal compliance, and risk management, ensuring continued organizational stability and mission success. Dawn holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, and is responsible for leading the finance team in managing the organization’s overall finance activities to ensure Embrace Living Communities achieves its mission of providing ecologically and financially affordable housing to its residents.
Darea Seifer serves as the Social Services and Quality Assurance Manager. Darea is a dedicated social services professional with more than 25 years of experience serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, and diverse communities across Chicago. Known for her compassionate and resourceful leadership, she has worked in areas including housing, elder services, homeless outreach, grant management, family services, and community advocacy. Darea holds degrees from DePaul University and Concordia University Chicago, including master’s degrees in Human Services and Grant Management & Evaluation. She remains deeply committed to collaboration and creating safe, affordable housing solutions for vulnerable populations throughout Chicago.
Brandy Wren serves as Compliance Specialist for Embrace Living Communities and brings more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership and compliance experience. A graduate of Northern Illinois University, Brandy has held a variety of leadership positions in affordable housing, served as Executive Director of homeless services in Whiteside County, led regulatory compliance initiatives within the education sector, and directed marketing efforts in senior living communities. She is dedicated to advancing operational excellence, ensuring regulatory compliance, and expanding access to high-quality housing opportunities for older adults and individuals with disabilities.
Alina Serban serves as Embrace Living’s Development and Communications Manager. Alina oversees internal and external communications, human resources, and marketing and communications strategies as well as provides operational support. Alina started her career in her native home of Romania as a television journalist. Her passion then turned to philanthropic work, motivated by her sister’s autism. She gained experience in event planning and community involvement, including a U.S. Department of State Fellowship with Autism Speaks Chicago. Alina is an engaging public speaker who applies journalistic experience to motivate others. Her education includes a C.E. in Leadership from George Mason University, and a M.S. in Human Resources Development.
We have experienced change through our long history, but our mission to serve aging adults with communities that embrace living has remained.
