When Katia (Kat) Xiong, Associate Executive Director at Presbyterian Village North (PVN), learned she had been accepted into the LeadingAge Texas Leadership Collective, her first reaction was a mix of excitement—and nerves.
“Our Executive Director, Dustin Allen, actually nominated me,” she said with a smile. “Once I found out what the program was about, I got really excited, but I’ll admit, I was a little nervous too. I had to record a two-minute video and write an essay to apply—and I’m not exactly a fan of hearing myself on camera!”
Despite the initial hesitation, Kat leaned into the opportunity. The Leadership Collective only accepts 18 participants from across the state, and when she found out she was among them, she was thrilled. “I couldn’t wait to get started on this journey of growth.”
The program, led by LeadingAge Texas, is designed to support emerging leaders in the field of aging services. Over the course of four months, participants travel to different cities, engage with expert faculty, complete a course project and connect with a cohort of peers dedicated to making a difference in their organizations and communities.
For Kat, the biggest draw was twofold: the chance to grow personally and professionally and the opportunity to connect with like-minded leaders.
“I love meeting people who are passionate about this work,” she said. “It’s inspiring to hear what others are doing in their communities—and to bring back ideas we might be able to use at PVN.”
The in-person visits to other senior living communities across Texas have already sparked ideas. “I really just want to see things from a different perspective,” Kat shared. “Sometimes, a small change can make a big impact. If I can bring back even one or two new ideas that benefit our residents and teammates, it’s worth it.”
As for the leadership side of things, Kat is always looking for ways to stretch and improve. “Confidence comes with experience, and I’m always working to be the best version of myself,” she said. “I’m especially excited about learning from Nicole Gann—she’s someone I really look up to.”
Each participant is also responsible for a course project that makes an impact within their organization. While Kat is still working through the details, she’s already put some of the program’s books and assignments into practice with the PVN team. “Eventually, I’d love to develop some kind of leadership class internally,” she said. “Something that helps our team grow together.”
The program also fits perfectly into her long-term goals. “This aligns with my commitment to PVN and our mission,” Kat said. “I want to keep building up a strong, diverse team and make sure we’re always growing, always moving forward.”
When asked what it means to be a “change agent” in aging services, Kat doesn’t hesitate. “To me, it means staying at the forefront—recruiting and mentoring great people, developing plans that support our teammates and never being complacent.”
Though she’s not quite finished with the program, Kat’s already feeling the impact. “It’s been such a great experience connecting with my cohort and traveling to different cities,” she said. “The relationships and ideas I’m gaining along the way are ones I’ll carry with me long after the program ends.”
We’re proud to support Kat on this journey and look forward to seeing how her leadership continues to shape the future at PVN.
To learn more about the Leadership Collective, visit: LeadingAge Texas Membership Leader.
| Dates and Locations of the 2025 LeadingAge Texas Leadership Collective: Class 1: January 16-17 in Houston Class 2: February 20-21 in San Antonio Class 3: March 20-21 in DFW Class 4: April 17-18 in Austin Leadership Collective Summit: May 18 in Austin |
