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Success Story

Strengthening risk governance and operational resilience for a national senior living operator

By Rhonda DeMeno, Wayne Wills and Scott Meyer | January 30, 2026

How a rapidly expanding senior living operator strengthened its insurance and risk management program by centralizing documentation and using analytics to improve portfolio wide visibility.

A rapidly expanding senior living ownership and management organization — with more than 70 communities across the U.S. — was facing increasing complexity in its insurance and risk management program. The organization’s brokerage responsibilities were fragmented across eight different firms, resulting in inconsistent documentation practices, limited visibility into portfolio-wide risks and growing operational strain as the company continued to scale.

Willis, a business, partnered with the organization to streamline its risk management framework, enhance governance and introduce analytics-driven insights that would support long-term resilience and growth.

Identifying the opportunity: Evaluating the organization’s risk landscape and operational needs

As the organization’s footprint grew, it became clear that the existing brokerage model could no longer keep pace with operational demands. Willis conducted a comprehensive risk management program review, evaluating the effectiveness of current processes, documentation systems and risk governance across all properties.

A key early milestone was the work of the North America Client Onboarding Team, which organized more than 1,000 documents into the risk management system (RMS). This provided a unified foundation for analysis and created visibility that had not previously been possible.

To ensure a holistic perspective, we convened subject matter experts across all lines of business, conducting a detailed red/yellow/green light diagnostic to evaluate exposures and performance indicators across the organization’s portfolio. The team then layered in analytics to identify trends, quantify risk levels and highlight areas that demanded immediate action.

Why the organization selected Willis as its risk management partner

Throughout the evaluation process, several differentiators emerged:

  1. Identification of critical “red light” issues
    We uncovered multiple high-priority risks that had gone undetected in the previous decentralized structure
  2. Exceptional documentation management and attention to detail
    The onboarding and RMS organization effort demonstrated the rigor and discipline the organization sought in a strategic partner.
  3. Broad and deep expertise across all lines of business
    Our technical bench strength provided confidence that the risk program could evolve alongside the organization’s continued growth.
  4. Proven consultative approach to risk management
    Through diagnostics, analytics and strategic recommendations, we demonstrated an ability to serve as an integrated risk advisor — not just a broker.

Impact and outcomes: Strengthened risk governance and operational resilience

By consolidating its risk management program with us, the organization achieved:

  • A cohesive, proactive and scalable risk management framework
  • Centralized documentation and improved governance
  • Portfolio wide visibility through the Red/Yellow/Green diagnostic
  • Data driven insights supporting stronger decision making
  • Access to specialized experts across all operational areas

Our structured approach, technical expertise and consultative guidance positioned the organization for stronger governance, helped reduce risk exposure and sustainable growth across its national senior living portfolio.

Looking to enhance risk visibility and operational resilience in your senior living communities? Reach out today to learn how our team can help.

Disclaimer

WTW hopes you found the general information provided here informative and helpful. The information contained herein is not intended to constitute legal or other professional advice and should not be relied upon in lieu of consultation with your own legal advisors. In the event you would like more information regarding your insurance coverage, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. In North America, WTW offers insurance products through licensed entities, including Willis Towers Watson Northeast, Inc. (in the United States) and Willis Canada Inc. (in Canada).

Authors


Senior Vice President Risk Services - Senior Living

Wayne Wills, Senior Living Industry Segment Leader, North America
Senior Living Industry Segment Leader, North America

Scott-meyer, Executive Vice President and Managing Director
Executive Vice President and Managing Director
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