Leadership
HASTINGS, NEBRASKA
Community Leadership
Each member of our team has been carefully selected. We first seek out individuals that embrace our core values: professionalism, integrity, commitment and compassion. Additionally, empathy, great communication and willingness to go the extra mile are key attributes for anyone tasked with serving the residents of one of our communities.
Jessica Soucie
Executive Director
Jessica Soucie was named Executive Director of The Kensington in Hastings in March 2020. The move marks a return to her roots for Soucie, whose first job at age 16 was as an employee and certified nursing assistant (CNA) at The Kensington.
Before taking the helm of The Kensington, Jessica was the Executive Director at CountryHouse Residence for Memory Care in Grand Island for two years. Both CountryHouse and The Kensington are part of the Agemark Senior Living family of companies. Before CountryHouse, Soucie was a program coordinator for the TeamMates Mentoring Program and a clinic manager at Mary Lanning Hospital.
Soucie holds a bachelor’s degree from Hastings College and a master’s degree from Doane University. She is also a Certified Dementia Practitioner.
In her free time, Soucie enjoys spending time with her two children, MaCoy and Jaylinn, and her partner, Michael. Together, they love to golf and spend time outdoors.
“I’ve always had a great love and fondness for The Kensington and I'm so proud to serve in my role. This building holds so many wonderful memories for me. I’m truly honored that Agemark trusts in me to lead this community."
Krista Finley
Senior Living Consultant
Krista Finley is The Kensington’s Senior Living Consultant. In her role, she walks hand-in-hand with residents and families considering The Kensington. Krista has always had love for working with the elderly and enjoys spending time with residents of The Kensington, visiting and learning from their life experiences.
Krista joined the Kensington team in March 2015. Prior to her current role, Krista worked in sales for Verizon and at Eileen’s Cookies in Hastings.
Krista is a graduate of Grand Island Senior High and Southeast Community College in Lincoln. She is also a Certified Dementia Practitioner. In 2016, she was a finalist for Agemark’s “Hero” Award, which recognizes some of the top employees among Agemark communities.
Krista and her husband, Jef, have been married for 13 years. They have two children, Jack and Marcus. In her spare time, Krista loves to perform Karaoke and paint, the latter at her studio, Charm’ N Canvas, where she teaches classes on Friday evenings.
“I love Agemark. Working for this company has been such a wonderful experience. They value people and treat them like family. The feeling I get when I walk in our community is one that I haven't felt anywhere. It's a feeling of love and people caring for others. To me, that's what life is all about!"
Vicki Ground
Housekeeping and Laundry Manager
Vicki began working at The Kensington in 2008, starting first in the nursing department. Prior to The Kensington, she worked at Good Samaritan Village for 13 years as a Medication Aide. She also holds a medical and dental office assistant degree.
Vicki has a great love for working with seniors and feels that the opportunity to work with residents of The Kensington is a true gift from God. Seeing residents smile brightens her day and gives her a wonderful feeling.
Vicki and her husband, Dan, have five children and 12 grandchildren. The family loves to camp and fish.
“The family that lives and works within these walls is the greatest ever. Here, you always feel welcomed and if you're having a down day, it's the best place to be."
Rhonda Kolbet
Life Enrichment Coach
Rhonda Kolbet is The Kensington’s Life Enrichment Coach. In her role, she helps ensure that residents are participating in life-enriching activities which address social, spiritual and intellectual wellness.
Rhonda joined The Kensington in 1992. Prior to that, she worked at Good Samaritan and Tiffany Square Care Center. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Kearney State College (now the University of Nebraska-Kearney) in 1987. Rhonda was nominated for Agemark’s “Hero” Award in 2019.
Rhonda and Mike have been married for 25 years and have a daughter, Hannah, who now works at our community as well. Rhonda delights in telling the story of Hannah’s birth, because she was nearly born in the lobby of The Kensington!
“I love working for Agemark and I'm grateful to Marcia Houchin for hiring me. I was looking for something a bit different than what I was doing but really wanted to work with those in assisted living. I grew up with a lot of great aunts and uncles, and I have always enjoyed serving the elderly."
Shelby Petersen
Dining Services Manager
Shelby Petersen leads the dining team at The Kensington, where she delights in preparing delicious dishes for all residents to enjoy. She began at The Kensington in 2015, starting first as a server, then a cook, before earning her current position as manager. She enjoys working with Kensington residents and seeing others gain enjoyment from the food that she lovingly prepares.
Shelby’s entire career has been centered in the kitchen. She began by working at the Care Center in Blue Hill as a dietary aide while still in High School. From there, she moved on to Mary Lanning Healthcare as a food service worker, dishwasher and a diet clerk, among other roles. In both roles, she gained experience working for the elderly and particularly for those with specific dietary needs, allergies and restrictions.
A graduate of Blue Hill High School, she attended Central Community College, where she earned a Cultinary Arts and Hospitality Management degree in 2020. She holds Culinary Concepts and ServeSafe Manager certificates. She will soon earn a Restaurant Manager certificate.
Shelby is a native of Blue Hill. She and her boyfriend, Dustin, have three children: Alex, Landyn and Abell. Together, the family enjoys fishing, gardening and deer hunting.
“I love working with our residents! They are such neat people and have so many wonderful stories. I also love our team at The Kensington. I could not ask for a better job, better coworkers and a better company to work for."
Career Opportunities
Interested in a career in senior living? We’re often looking to add talented members of our team. At The Kensington, we choose employees who emulate the values that we hold as a company: Compassion, Commitment, Professionalism and Integrity. If this describes you, apply for an opportunity today.