Wendy Simpson is CEO and president of LTC Properties — a REIT investing in seniors housing and health care with nearly 80 skilled nursing properties in its portfolio. Having led LTC Properties for 15 years, Simpson is well known for her industry in and investment expertise.
In this Hot Seat interview, Simpson shares industry insights and her people management philosophy, as well as what inspires her and whom she’d trade places with for a week — if given the chance.
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
I am so 100% a morning person no matter the time zone. I just do not understand people who see 3:00 am from the wrong side of the day.
What is your personal mantra?
One tongue in cheek – If you set your standards low enough you are never disappointed. This is advice I give young women who think I could mentor them. But really I fully believe that just showing up and doing your job substantially proves that you are reliable, engaged and ready for more responsibility.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
I don’t know it is a superpower but I really want to rule the world. And I would have a 100% woman army.
It’s 7 am on a Saturday. Where are you right now?
Finished with coffee and on-line newspapers, answered and sent emails and suited up to hike in Griffith Park.
What is your favorite weekend activity?
Being with a limited number of my family and a larger number of my friends and also hiking. Alternate Saturdays mani/pedi. I am living the life!
What inspires you?
New ways to look at things. I probably will not adopt a new way but I embrace the possibility.
If you could trade places with any other person for a week, who would it be and why?
Whoever gets to follow Elon Musk around and attends all meetings, phone calls, Twitter posting discussions….I am pretty sure his lawyers would not let me.
What is your go-to breakfast? What makes it your go-to?
Coffee and biscotti. I can cook that.
What was your first music concert?
I do not believe I have ever been to a music concert. Not in favor of crowds. One of our former operators had a huge celebration for themselves that must have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and had the band Train perform. I was tricked into going to that in the guise of customer relations.
What’s your favorite destination worldwide?
The Italian Riviera.
What’s the emoji you use most often?
If I knew how to do an emoji on email I would show you but it is probably the one with the head exploding.
What was your first job and what was your biggest on-the-job lesson from that experience?
I was an accounts receivable clerk at a plastic molding company in my hometown. When I quit to go to college, the CFO told me I would never make up my lost wages after 4 years of school. So I finished in 3 years and think I came out ahead. Show up and do your job and be ready for more responsibility.
If you could change one thing about the skilled nursing payment landscape, what would it be?
Do not let people sign up for Managed Medicare for all needs.
What is your most important people management principle?
Manage people smarter than me. I learn so much.
Who is your greatest career inspiration?
Winston Churchill. He never gave up and was snappy with words and wit.
What would you say to someone who said working in health care is boring?
They haven’t found the right spot within this massive field of opportunities.
What’s one thing all skilled nursing professionals can to do improve the patient experience?
Think of someone you love in the same situation and hope that you are giving the same care as you would want your loved one to receive.
If you were recruiting someone to join the industry for the first time, what are three words you would use to describe the skilled nursing industry?
National opportunities abound.
