Immanuel is pleased to announce the promotion of Chad Gumbert to Vice President of Culinary. Chad brings years of experience helping shape dining programs across the organization. He will lead culinary services throughout Immanuel’s communities and PACE® centers, supporting teams dedicated to delivering high-quality dining experiences for residents and participants.
Pat Kearns, Immanuel Chief Operating Officer, said Chad's culinary expertise and operational leadership make him well-suited for the role.
“In his new role, Chad will provide leadership and direction for culinary services across Immanuel, working closely with our culinary teams, community leaders, and PACE® center leaders to continue strengthening the dining experience for those we serve,” she said.
Leading through service
For Chad, stepping into this new role is an opportunity to support residents, participants, and employees on a broader scale. He said he was excited and honored by the promotion and views it as a chance to further Immanuel's culture and mission while helping culinary teams succeed.
Chad credits much of his professional growth to the opportunities he has had to learn from residents, participants, and employees throughout the organization. Those experiences have given him insight into how dining influences quality of life and reinforced the importance of servant leadership and collaboration.
“The experiences that have prepared me most are the opportunities I've had to listen to and learn from residents, participants, and team members,” Chad said. “Understanding what residents value, what they expect from leadership, and how dining contributes to their overall quality of life has been invaluable.”
Enhancing the dining experience
Chad believes dining quickly becomes one of the most important parts of everyday life for residents and participants. While it may not drive an initial decision to join a community or program, he said food plays a significant role in comfort and well-being, and in bringing people together.
As Vice President of Culinary, Chad plans to focus on strengthening the systems that support culinary operations across the organization. His priorities include evaluating current practices, refining processes, and ensuring teams have the resources needed to deliver a consistent experience while remaining responsive to resident and participant feedback.
“Working in senior living has shown me how meaningful this service can be, and it is incredibly rewarding to know that our work enhances someone's day," Chad said.
Celebrating team success
He also believes successful dining programs begin with strong teams. Chad emphasizes trust, communication, accountability, and professional development as important elements in creating a workplace where employees can thrive and do their best work.
One of the most rewarding aspects of culinary leadership, according to Chad, is hearing positive feedback from residents, participants, and family members.
“Feedback of all kinds is valuable because it helps us learn and improve. However, positive feedback is especially meaningful because it reflects the dedication and hard work of our culinary teams,” Chad said.
As he begins this new chapter, Chad looks forward to supporting culinary teams across Immanuel while continuing to elevate dining experiences for the residents and participants we serve.
