Building Futures: How Cedarhurst Champions Employee Growth & Development

When Almir Sajtovic reflects on his path to becoming President of Cedarhurst Senior Living, he often starts at the beginning—with an apron tied around his waist. At just 16, working as a dishwasher and server in a senior living community, Almir had no idea he’d stumbled into the start of a lifelong career.

“As a refugee, I moved around a lot during the war in Bosnia,” he recalls. “I spent some time in Germany before eventually landing in the St. Louis area. I never grew up around grandparents, so being around seniors always meant a lot to me. It felt like I was connecting with something I didn’t get to have back home.”

That early respect for older adults grew into a vocation. After high school, he became a Dining Services Director. By 2011, he had joined Cedarhurst, where his first office was tucked into the kitchen. In those early days, he rotated through several roles, Dining Services Director, Assistant Executive Director, and Business Office Manager, gaining hands-on experience across multiple areas of community operations.

“I learned so much from seeing every part of the community in action. Each role taught me something different—how to build relationships, solve problems, and, most importantly, put people first.” — Almir Sajtovic, President of Cedarhurst Senior Living

A Journey Through the Ranks

From there, Almir advanced to be Executive Director. He was entrusted with leading a team and an entire community—a responsibility made possible by leaders who believed in him. “Joshua Jennings, CEO of Dover Companies, took a chance on me as a young leader, allowing me to lead an entire community at the age of 23.”

That resilience, along with the trust others placed in him, propelled Almir forward: Area Director of Operations, Vice President of Operations, COO, and, for the past three years, President.

His rise is exceptional, but what he values most is not the titles—it’s what they represent. “I hope my story shows others that it’s possible here,” he says. “There’s nothing special about me. It’s just work ethic, dedication, and relationships. At Cedarhurst, if you show that, you’ll grow.”

A Culture of Opportunity

Cedarhurst has become known for promoting from within, a philosophy that defines its culture as much as its resident care. “When people see their peers moving up, it’s inspiring,” Almir explains. “It gives them a clear example that growth is not only possible, it’s encouraged.”

That culture is evident across Cedarhurst’s home office team. Leaders like Morgan Semanisin, now Director of Operations, and Jenny Rakers, Divisional Director of Operations, both started at the community level before stepping into broader leadership roles. Their stories echo with Almir’s: hard work, a willingness to learn, and the support of leaders who recognized their potential.

The same holds true in nursing. Lisa Canady and Kristen Schnur, now Regional Directors of Nursing, built their careers at Cedarhurst by combining clinical expertise with a deep commitment to relationships.

Diverse Paths, Shared Purpose

Not every growth story looks the same, and that’s the beauty of Cedarhurst’s approach. Bethany LaChance, who started as a Community Relations Director, and Gina Blankenship, who began as a Director of Sales, have both risen to Regional Directors of Sales and Marketing, connecting families with communities that feel like home. April Martin and Patricia Louvier, each beginning as a community Dining Services Director, now serve as Regional Dining Services Directors, bringing creativity and care to their work.

Even outside direct resident care, the pattern holds. Jacob Wright, now a Business Intelligence Developer, began at the community level before his skills in data reshaped how Cedarhurst supports its teams.

Alex Neff’s career closely mirrors Almir’s. Starting as a Business Office Manager, he moved from community to community helping rebuild, open, and strengthen operations. Today, he serves as Divisional Director of Operations. “Alex is a great example of saying yes to opportunity,” Almir says. “His willingness to go where he was needed helped shape his career and strengthened Cedarhurst as a whole.”

Leadership Rooted in Relationships

For Almir, all these stories circle back to a simple philosophy: put people and relationships first. “When there’s trust and alignment, everything else follows,” he says. “Mistakes are forgiven, problems get solved, and teams thrive when the foundation is relationships.”

That philosophy guides how Cedarhurst identifies future leaders. The focus is not on résumés alone but on the company’s core values: work ethic, a willingness to go beyond the minimum, and genuine care. Skills can be taught. Character can’t.

“We want people who do the next job before they’re promoted,” Almir explains. “When you see someone already living the role they want, it makes the decision easy.”

Looking Ahead

As Cedarhurst grows, Almir is committed to protecting and strengthening that culture. Investments in new HR platforms are helping attract and retain top talent, while the company’s pace and expectations continue to foster resilience and excellence.

“We move quickly and expect a lot, but that’s what makes it rewarding,” he explains. “The pace is faster; the expectations are higher. But for people who want to grow, who want to be surrounded by others working just as hard as they are—it’s the best place to be.”

For Almir, the vision is clear: “My goal is for people to build their careers here and retire here. When our people grow, Cedarhurst grows. And when Cedarhurst grows, our residents flourish. That’s the future we’re building together.”

This story originally appeared in the Fall 2025 issue of Flourish^® magazine.

About the Author

Ryan Davis is the Corporate Communications Manager at Cedarhurst Senior Living and the writer behind every story in Flourish^® magazine. He holds a Communications degree from Indiana University and brings 19 years of experience to his role, which he began in January 2024. Ryan is passionate about storytelling, especially sharing the meaningful lives of Cedarhurst residents, families, and staff. He hopes each published story becomes a treasured legacy for loved ones.