Some careers are carefully mapped out. Others find you when you least expect it and change everything. For Kari Kingston, what started as a short-term opportunity quickly became a career rooted in purpose and everyday impact.
Featured in Immanuel’s My Story, Our Mission video series, Kari’s journey is a powerful example of how the right environment and the right people can turn a temporary role into a calling. My Story, Our Mission is a video series hosted by Chrissie McDaniel, Manager of Talent Acquisition, and Jameon Rush, Director of Marketing. Each episode spotlights team members whose everyday work embodies Immanuel’s mission.
Today, as an executive assistant at Grand Lodge in Lincoln, Nebraska, Kari is not only supporting the day-to-day operations of the community but also helping create the relationships and moments that bring Immanuel’s mission to life.
Kari didn’t intend for a career in retirement living and senior care. After a brief time in education, she spent more than two decades building a career in the health club industry, eventually co-running a large facility with her husband. When they sold the business, she found herself at a professional crossroads. That journey led her to Grand Lodge, initially through a 12-week temporary position. She didn’t expect it to last.
Something changed quickly.
“As the days went on, I didn’t want to leave,” Kari said. “I was enjoying it, just seeing that I was making a difference in people’s lives.”
Ask Kari what keeps her coming back each day, and the answer is simple: the people.
Mornings often begin with residents eager to greet her, asking about her life and sharing their own stories. Those daily interactions, she notes, are more than small talk; they’re moments of connection that can brighten someone’s entire day.
For some residents, those conversations are especially meaningful. Kari recognizes that she may be one of the few people they see regularly, and she embraces the opportunity to be a steady, caring presence.
“They just want to share their story,” she said. “And I learn so much from them.”
That sense of mutual learning and respect is at the heart of Immanuel’s mission, and Kari lives it out every day.
Those moments often become cherished Christmas cards for families; a tradition that means as much to Kari as it does to those she serves.
“To know that my family, too, is making a difference to them, that we’re all in this together,” she said.
It’s a beautiful example of how Immanuel’s mission extends beyond employees and into the broader community.
Kari’s experience speaks directly to anyone considering a career in senior living, especially those who may not have imagined themselves in this field.
Her advice? Keep an open mind.
“Fulfillment. Happiness,” she said, describing what people might discover. “It just put my life in a completely different direction.”
No two days at Grand Lodge look exactly the same for Kari, and that’s part of what she loves most. Whether she’s managing office responsibilities or joining a community event, every moment is an opportunity to connect, support, and serve.
She acknowledges that some people may feel uncertain about working with older adults, but those hesitations often disappear once they witness the energy, wisdom, and warmth residents bring to each day.
For current team members and those considering joining Immanuel, her journey is a reminder: when your work centers on people, fulfillment naturally follows.