Immanuel board member brings a resident voice to the national stage

When Brenda Bergman Evans was elected to the Board of Directors for the National Continuing Care Residents Association (NaCCRA), it marked an important moment. She was also appointed as Board Secretary, a milestone not only for her, but for Immanuel.

Brenda’s new role brings a direct connection between Immanuel and a national organization focused on supporting residents in continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). Her decision to step into this role wasn’t about recognition: it was about perspective, and making sure it’s heard.

A perspective on aging

Her interest in NaCCRA began at the 2025 LeadingAge Conference, where she attended a session highlighting the organization’s work. She was struck by its emphasis on partnership between residents and leadership. She was also drawn to its mission to promote, protect, and improve the lives of those who choose to age in continuing care residential communities.

That message aligned closely with her own experiences and priorities. After learning more, she joined NaCCRA and saw an opportunity to become more involved. It aligned both with her personal interests and her commitment to reshaping how aging is viewed and experienced.

At the center of that motivation is a belief she describes simply: aging should not be defined by decline.
Quoting author Doris Lessing, “The secret that old people share is that you really haven’t changed in 70 or 80 years. Your body changes, but you don’t change at all,” Brenda added “except usually by getting wiser.”

Brenda is candid about the cultural challenges that still exist, pointing out that society often focuses on “ill health and disease” rather than the full experience of aging. Her work, both at Immanuel and now through NaCCRA, pushes back on that narrative.

Listening first

Throughout her career in healthcare, Brenda has emphasized the importance of listening to older adults and involving them in decisions that affect their lives. 

“Older adults have the answers to the best plan of care, but we need to ask the right questions and then listen,” she said.

Strengthening the resident voice

That mindset carries directly into her work with CCRCs. Rather than focusing on limitations, she believes the conversation should shift to what individuals continue to bring to their communities. 

“Older adults are the experts,” she said, adding they should be the ones shaping what aging looks like. 

This is also where NaCCRA plays a key role. The organization exists to give residents a stronger voice: advocating for their rights, sharing information, and creating opportunities for collaboration across communities. For Brenda, that mission is practical as much as it is philosophical. Through tools like member forums and shared learning, residents can exchange ideas, address challenges, and learn from one another’s experiences. 

It’s a model that reinforces something she sees as essential in community living: trust.

Residents, she said, have not always felt heard when transitioning into community environments. Building that trust requires consistent communication and a willingness from leadership to value the experience and insight residents bring. 

Her leadership style reflects that same approach: steady, approachable, and grounded in listening. 

“One doesn’t need to be the loudest voice in the room to make an impact,” she said. “But you have to show up, be knowledgeable, listen, and be nice.” 

Looking ahead

For Immanuel, Brenda’s role with NaCCRA creates an opportunity to both contribute to and learn from conversations happening across the country. Drawing from her experience with Immanuel communities, she sees value in sharing ideas and innovations while continuing to learn from others doing similar work.

Ultimately, her decision to serve comes back to something simple: making sure residents are part of the conversation. Now on a national stage, that voice carries even further.