Meet the Team: Spotlight on Our Caregivers and Staff at Symphony Park

When it comes to choosing a senior living community for yourself or a loved one, the environment, amenities, and programs are important, but the people truly make the difference. At Symphony Park, we believe the heart of our community is our team. From leadership to the staff working behind the scenes, each individual plays a vital role in creating a safe, joyful, and enriching environment for residents.

In this post, we invite you to meet the people who bring Symphony Park to life every day. You'll learn about our team and discover how their experience, passion, and dedication make our community a truly exceptional place to call home.

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Why Great Leadership Matters in Senior Living

In any organization, strong leadership is crucial. But in senior living, it's more than just operational oversight, it sets the tone for the entire community. A compassionate, experienced leadership team creates a culture of respect, empathy, and accountability that filters through every level of care.

At Symphony Park, our leaders guide with integrity, vision, and a resident-first mindset. They foster an environment where team members are empowered, supported, and inspired to go the extra mile. The result? A high standard of care, strong team retention, and a place where residents thrive.

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Executive Spotlight: Leading With Compassion and Purpose

Our leadership team is composed of experienced professionals who are not only experts in senior living but are also deeply passionate about serving older adults. Here are a few of the incredible leaders at the helm of Symphony Park:

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Julie Ogawa, General Manager

Julie brings 30 years of hotel industry experience, having worked her way up from concierge in Tokyo to leadership roles in luxury hotels across Asia and the U.S. She moved to Huntersville to help open Symphony Park, where she applies a hospitality-driven approach to create a resort-style senior living experience. A hands-on leader, Julie is often seen making coffee, setting up rooms, or arranging flowers to ensure every detail feels like a vacation.

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Liam Goddard, Executive Director 

Liam is a seasoned leader in luxury senior living, with a background in health and wellness for active adults. He holds degrees in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, and Business Administration, and believes retirement should be vibrant and enriching. As Executive Director, Liam takes a people-first approach, focused on enhancing resident experiences and fostering a positive, inclusive community.

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Shannon Yunn, Business Office Manager

Shannon is a senior living professional with over 12 years of experience in Independent and Assisted Living. A Penn State graduate from Pittsburgh, she’s a former Certified Director in Assisted Living and a Chairman’s Club award recipient. She’s currently pursuing her Professional in Human Resources certification to further her career.

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Randy Cook, Director of Engineering

Randy began his senior living career in 1989 as a groundskeeper and has since held leadership roles in facilities, IT, and risk management. A highlight of his career was earning SHARP accreditation for excellence in safety and health standards. In 2024, he joined Symphony Park as Director of Engineering, overseeing maintenance, security, IT, and grounds. Randy values communication, prioritizes customer satisfaction, and is proud to support Symphony Park’s vision as a premier luxury resort for older adults.

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Laura Johnson, Activities Director

Laura’s passion for movement began with classical ballet and led to degrees in Exercise Science and Clinical Exercise Physiology. After moving to Charlotte in 2011, she built a career in wellness through personal training, group fitness, and leadership roles at the YMCA. In 2021, she shifted her focus to senior living and now serves as Activities Director at Symphony Park, where she designs programs that support residents’ growth in every area of life. She’s also a certified yoga teacher through Yoga Alliance.

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Simon Shirley, Lead Concierge

Simon Shirley, originally from Maidstone, England, began his hospitality career as a Footman in The Royal Household, serving the Royal Family. Now Lead Concierge at Symphony Park, he manages daily operations, assists residents with service requests, and supports engagement through the Cubigo platform. Simon brings his signature “Royal Touch,” ensuring every resident and guest feels genuinely welcomed and cared for.

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Jennifer Vega, Director of Housekeeping

With 15 years in the hospitality industry, Jennifer has helped open boutique hotels and worked with top luxury properties in New York and North Carolina. She’s driven by a passion for connecting with people, learning their stories, and creating memorable experiences that foster genuine relationships.

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Jeff Lambert, Dining Room Manager

Jeff Lambert, Front of House Dining Manager at Symphony Park, brings 22 years of food and beverage experience with top brands like Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, and Kimpton Hotels. In recent years, he has focused on luxury senior living, creating warm, memorable dining experiences. Jeff is committed to excellence and ensuring every meal reflects genuine care for residents.

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Seth Shepherd, Dining Room Manager

Seth Shepherd is a seasoned operations leader with over 21 years of experience in hospitality, specializing in restaurants and sports venues. He most recently served as District Operations Manager for Raydal Hospitality, overseeing 10 locations and generating $8.5 million in annual revenue. Seth has launched new restaurant concepts, managed large-scale events, and held leadership roles with brands like Buffalo Wild Wings, Levy Restaurants, and Compass Group. He holds a Master’s in Business Management and a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management. Based in Concord, NC, he’s a proud husband, father of three, and youth basketball coach.

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Anthony Russo, Executive Chef

Executive Chef Anthony Russo brings a lifelong passion for cooking rooted in his Italian upbringing and love for family meals. A Culinary Institute of America graduate, he has worked with renowned chefs and led kitchens at top restaurants and resorts from New York to Florida. His career highlights include roles at South Seas Island Resort, North Harbor Club, and a decade with LDV Hospitality in Manhattan.

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Each member of our leadership team brings their own strengths, but together they share a common goal: to create a senior living experience where residents feel respected, engaged, and truly at home.

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Behind the Scenes: Dining, Housekeeping, and Maintenance Teams

Luxury all-inclusive senior living means every detail matters. That’s why the unsung heroes of Symphony Park,our dining, housekeeping, and maintenance staff play such an important role.

Our culinary team prepares chef-crafted meals that are as delicious as they are beautifully presented. Our servers know residents by name and work hard to create a welcoming, restaurant-style atmosphere.

Housekeeping staff ensure that apartments and common areas remain spotless and comfortable. Their work contributes to the safety and dignity of each resident’s experience. From freshly made beds to sparkling bathrooms, they take pride in their attention to detail.

Meanwhile, our maintenance team keeps everything running seamlessly. Whether it’s changing a lightbulb or fixing a leaky faucet, their work enhances the beauty and functionality of the community.

Though these teams often work behind the scenes, their impact is felt every day.

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Team Values: What Unites Our Staff

What connects every member of the Symphony Park team is a shared commitment to our values. These principles guide our work, our relationships, and our service:

• Compassion: We treat each resident with the same care we’d give our own family.
• Excellence: We strive for the highest standards in care, hospitality, and service.
• Respect: Every individual is honored for their life story, preferences, and choices.
• Integrity: We do what’s right, even when no one is watching.
• Joy: We believe in creating a joyful, engaging environment for residents and staff alike.

These values shape everything we do—from how we greet visitors to how we respond to a resident’s needs in the middle of the night. They are what make Symphony Park feel like more than just a place to live. It’s a place to belong.

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What Residents Are Saying About Our Team

Residents consistently tell us that it’s our people who make the biggest difference. Whether it’s the personal attention from the staff or the smiling welcome from our concierge, every interaction builds confidence and trust.

Here are just a few sentiments we often hear:

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“After two weeks, I said put the house on the market, I don’t need a month. Because everything was so wonderful.” - Sherron

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"I didn’t really downsize; I picked up a 59,000 square foot amenity center. We live more efficiently now. We sleep, eat, watch TV, and work there. I still run nine companies and meet many nice people every day." - Bill

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"This is a community. And everybody is so kind and pleasant. The people that work here are fabulous and very helpful. The residents all want to make new friends like we do." - Ed and Susan

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These testimonials speak to the heart of our mission: people first, always. Hear more of our resident testimonials.

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Why it Matters: People Make All the Difference

At Symphony Park, luxury living goes far beyond elegant finishes and thoughtful amenities. It’s the people who bring warmth, meaning, and vitality to every resident’s experience.

From leadership to life enrichment to the team members you may never see but whose work is felt every day, everyone here is united by a passion for serving seniors with dignity and joy. Our staff aren’t just employees—they’re part of a community where residents feel valued and supported.

If you’re exploring senior living options in the Huntersville area, we invite you to visit Symphony Park. Come meet the team, feel the energy, and see what makes our community so special.

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Schedule a Tour and Meet the Team in Person

We’d love the opportunity to welcome you and show you around. Schedule a tour today and experience the Symphony Park difference for yourself.