DEANNA MALARA
Severance,Colorado
Summary
Results-driven Sales & Operations Executive with over 25 years of experience in enhancing occupancy, enrollment, and revenue growth through consultative sales and business development. Expertise in fostering customer loyalty, establishing referral partnerships, multi-site operations and leading high-performing teams to exceed goals. Committed to guiding families through critical decisions while achieving impactful business outcomes.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Community Relations
MorningStar Senior Living
Fort Collins, Colorado
09.2025 - Current
- Developed strategies to drive occupancy growth and foster lasting relationships with prospective residents, families, healthcare professionals, and community partners for a senior living community with 55 assisted living suites and 24 memory care suites.
- Maintained 97%+ occupancy for seven consecutive months, earning monthly and quarterly High Occupancy Bonus Awards for sustained census performance.
- Led the complete consultative sales process from initial inquiry through move-in, averaging 3–7 resident move-ins each month while maintaining a robust waitlist.
- Build trusted relationships with families by understanding their unique situations and recommending personalized senior living solutions.
- Conducted 25–35 personalized tours each month, fostering an environment for families to share needs, concerns, and life events that influence their search.
- Manage the admissions process, including financial conversations, resident agreements, assessments, and move-in coordination.
- Developed strategic referral partnerships with hospitals, physicians, hospice agencies, rehabilitation centers, and home health providers to enhance community outreach.
- Planned and executed two or more marketing events each month, driving external business development initiatives throughout Northern Colorado.
Senior Manager of Corporate Operations
The Learning Experience
Colorado
09.2021 - 09.2025
- Provided executive leadership for multiple Colorado locations with responsibility for operations, sales, enrollment growth, human resources, recruiting, budgeting, compliance, and customer experience.
- Selected Accomplishments
- Achieved 98% client retention through proactive relationship management and exceptional customer service.
- Directed multi-site operations while driving enrollment growth, customer retention, and operational excellence.
- Led full-cycle recruitment, onboarding, leadership development, and performance coaching across multiple locations.
- Managed budgets, payroll, accounts payable/receivable, and purchasing to ensure financial accuracy and operational planning alignment.
- Developed innovative systems that improved recruitment, employee retention, and organizational profitability.
- Coached and mentored managers to build high-performing, collaborative teams that enhanced operational effectiveness.
Regional Manager
Prestige Preschool Academy
Greater Denver, Colorado
09.2020 - 07.2021
- Led regional multi-site operations, enhancing leadership development, budgeting, recruiting, and professional development initiatives.
- Developed systems that enhanced compliance, supported employee development, and ensured operational consistency.
- Standardized operational processes and implemented regional training programs to ensure consistency across sites.
Executive Director of Operations
Bright Horizons Family Solutions
Fort Collins & Loveland, Colorado
05.2000 - 09.2020
- Directed business operations, sales, enrollment, financial management, recruiting, and customer experience, leading a team of 40 employees to achieve organizational goals.
- Increased enrollment by 35% in six months by implementing strategic marketing, community outreach, and consultative sales initiatives.
- Reduced employee turnover from 60% to 7% through leadership development and employee engagement.
- Managed recruiting, budgeting, payroll, financial operations, and compliance, enhancing customer retention through strategic oversight.
- Successfully led operations through COVID-19 by implementing innovative virtual services and customer engagement strategies.
- Cultivated partnerships with local schools and community organizations, increasing enrollment and enhancing brand awareness.
- Developed and facilitated a regional leadership certification program.
Education
Colorado Director Certification -
Front Range Community College
Fort Collins, COEducation
University of Northern Colorado
Greeley, COSkills
- CRM & Sales Tools: Aline CRM
- Workday
- CareerPlug
- Yardi
- PandaDoc
- Further
- Review Trackers
- Hootsuite
- Soci
- Microsoft Teams
- Google Meet
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Consultative Sales
- Occupancy Growth
- Relationship Management
- Community Relations
- Multi-Site Operations
- Marketing Strategy
- External Business Development
- CRM Management
- Customer Experience
- Team Leadership
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Budget Management
- Event Planning
AWARDS & COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
MAT Leadership Award, HEART Award, Family Partnership Award, Community Leadership – SafeHouse Denver, Baby Haven, and Women's Safe House, Led volunteer initiatives to create family-centered spaces supporting children and families in crisis
Timeline
Director of Community Relations
MorningStar Senior Living
09.2025 - Current
Senior Manager of Corporate Operations
The Learning Experience
09.2021 - 09.2025
Regional Manager
Prestige Preschool Academy
09.2020 - 07.2021
Executive Director of Operations
Bright Horizons Family Solutions
05.2000 - 09.2020
Colorado Director Certification -
Front Range Community College
Education
University of Northern Colorado