Benchmark Senior Living Names Two Veteran VPs to Executive Team

Elizabeth Wheatley to Lead Resident Care and Kristine Martel to Head Human Resources

Professional portrait photos of two women

Benchmark Senior Living, a leading provider of senior living services in the Northeast, today announced new additions to its executive team. Elizabeth Wheatley, RN, with over 30 years of senior living experience, has been appointed vice president of resident care. In addition, Kristine Martel, who spent 25 years at Tufts Health Plan, has been tapped as vice president of human resources.

Tom Grape, founder, chairman and CEO of Benchmark, said both women are proven leaders whose experience and character match the needs and values of Benchmark.

“Elizabeth will play a critical role in meeting the ever-evolving clinical protocols brought about by COVID-19 as well as other health-related needs of our residents,” said Grape. “We are confident her leadership will further strengthen our clinical teams throughout our communities, positioning us to successfully meet our residents’ expectations for years to come.”

He added, “The Benchmark senior leadership team was impressed with Kris’ success in building strong, trust-based relationships across a company and her commitment to the employee experience, including professional development and diversity and inclusion initiatives. Benchmark’s well-earned reputation as an employer of choice is in good hands with Kris.”

Wheatley spent almost two decades with Five Star Senior Living. She recently served as vice president of health and wellness, designing and managing resident service programs and overseeing their COVID-19 clinical response. Wheatley is an advisory board member of the National Center for Assisted Living and a former member of Argentum’s Clinical Quality Roundtable. She earned a nursing degree from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Services.

Martel served as vice president of human resources at Tufts Health plan, where she implemented effective talent management and continuous change initiatives that instill employee trust. She has also been a catalyst for successful diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

Martel holds a master’s in management from Bentley University.

About Benchmark Senior Living
Benchmark is a leading provider of senior housing in the Northeast, providing independent living, assisted living, memory care, and continuing care retirement options in 63 communities across seven states. The Waltham-based company’s core values of Called to Care, Better Together and Be the Benchmark guide its purpose to transform lives through human connection.

Benchmark is one of only two companies to be named to The Boston Globe’s Top Place to Work all 13 years that the honor has been given. Throughout its history, Benchmark has continually been recognized as a top workplace. The Great Place to Work Institute certified Benchmark for four straight years, and the company earned a place on FORTUNE’s 50 Best Workplaces in Aging Services three of the four years the magazine published the list.