Dakota Dunehew

I’m someone who really enjoys working with people and creating genuine connections. Professionally, I’ve worked in roles that have required me to communicate with all kinds of people, build relationships, stay organized, solve problems, and juggle a lot of moving pieces at once. I’m naturally outgoing and personable, but I’m also someone who takes ownership of my work and likes finding ways to make things better.

I enjoy a fast-paced environment, learning new things, and being part of a team where I can contribute and continue to grow.

Outside of work, I’m a huge animal lover and love spending time with my pets. I enjoy being outdoors, listening to music, traveling, and spending time with the people I love. I’m always up for a new experience and try not to take life too seriously.

Family Advisor at Granite Gate Senior Living (2025-05 – Present)

• Increased occupancy from 53% to the 79% range in just six months through strategic sales initiatives, relationship building, and consistently driving an average of 6 move-ins per month independently.
• Simplified and streamlined the move-in process, coordinating with families, prospects, physicians, and the on-site nurse to ensure smooth transitions.
• Consistently exceeded closing goals by leveraging strong follow-up strategies, empathy, and active listening to build trust with families.
• Proficient in Salesforce and Welcome Home CRM and other platforms, using data to track metrics, monitor pipeline health, and optimize conversion rates.
• Recognized for being teachable, adaptable, and collaborative, working closely with the Executive Director and department heads to align community goals with resident satisfaction.
• Delivered personalized tours, presentations, and follow-up that resulted in multiple move-ins each month.
• Focused on retention as well as occupancy, ensuring new residents feel welcome and supported from the start.

Life Enrichment Director at Granite Gate Senior Living (2023-08 – 2025-05)

• Directed both the activities and transportation departments, overseeing a team of five employees and managing turnover due to retirements while improving retention strategies.
• Designed and maintained comprehensive schedules for activities and transportation, ensuring seamless operations and high resident satisfaction.
• Actively engaged with residents to enhance their quality of life and support their individual needs.
• Met with new families, conducted tours, and prioritized resident retention by fostering strong relationships and creating a welcoming, supportive environment.
• Collaborated with multiple departments to improve overall resident experience, streamlining communication between all departments.
• Developed creative programs and events that encouraged socialization, mental stimulation, and community engagement, leading to increased resident satisfaction and retention.

Life Enrichment Coordinator at Touchmark at the Ranch (2022-07 – 2023-07)

• Work closely with residents facing degenerative diseases, providing personalized and compassionate care.
• Understand each resident's preferences to create meaningful and engaging experiences.
• Collaborate with caregivers, coordinators, and families to ensure the highest quality of life for residents.
• Quickly assess and implement individual-centered care strategies to ease anxiety, frustration, and discomfort.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with family members, offering ongoing support and communication.
• Develop and manage a structured daily schedule with diverse activities designed to promote engagement and well-being.

Bistro Attendant / Lead Server at Touchmark at the Ranch (2021-07 – 2022-07)

• Managed a fast-paced bistro independently, efficiently serving residents food and drinks during lunch and dinner hours.
• Maintained a clean and sanitary workspace, adhering to high health and safety standards.
• Provided personalized service by greeting and addressing each resident by name.
• Stocked, organized, and labeled inventory to ensure smooth daily operations.

Summer Camp Lead Mentor at Lime Hollow Nature Center (2016-06 – 2019-08)

• Facilitated, organized and planned outdoor learning and games for 5 to 12-year-olds.
• Directed five to seven activities daily including, learning, hiking, games, and over night events.
• Oversaw a staff of 6-8 employees to ensure the safety and well being of up to 70 campers each week.
• Guided children from all backgrounds, learning capabilities and skills.
• Used critical thought and communication to work as a cohesive team and ensure the satisfaction of parents and campers.

Early Childhood Education – Prescott College (2019-08 – 2020-05)

Early Childhood Education – Green Mountain College (2018-08 – 2019-05)

High School Diploma – Homer High School (2014-09 – 2018-06)