Meet the Team

Monark Grove Clarkston offers distinguished care for seniors in Clarkston, MI. We are dedicated to the compassionate care of all our residents. Professionally managed and staffed by a friendly team of highly qualified individuals, we help seniors live a comfortable, active life.

Team member Becky at Monark Grove Clarkston in Clarkston, MichiganBecky Howard

Executive Director 

With 25+ years’ experience working in healthcare and senior living, and a background in both commercial and residential real estate, Becky is well-positioned to lead at Monark Grove Clarkston! As Executive Director, she is responsible for daily operations for the entire community. With regard to her role within the community, she says, “I get pure enjoyment from delivering a wonderful experience and quality care to the residents, educating their loved ones, and coaching the team. My goal every day is to make a positive impact, and create joyful moments in every situation I encounter.”  Originally from Clio, MI, in her free time Becky enjoys spending time with her two young adult children, a son and a daughter. Favorite pastimes include biking, hiking, golfing, boating, reading, attending sporting events, listening to music, traveling, and dining out.

 

Team member Luli at Monark Grove Clarkston in Clarkston, MichiganLuli Mhilli

Business Office Manager 

Luli Mhilli is from Albania and has spent over 15 years in the hospitality industry. Luli oversees daily office operations and helps answer residents' questions and concerns. She finds that getting to know each resident on a personal level is a deeply rewarding experience. Her guiding principle is "To handle yourself, use your head. To handle others, use your heart." When not at work, Luli loves spending time with her family.

Team member Jason at Monark Grove Clarkston in Clarkston, MichiganSharon Punches-Henney

Director of Sales and Marketing 

A Michigan native, Sharon brings over 15 years’ experience—including over 5 in Senior Living—to her role. Her daily responsibilities include ensuring all current and future residents flourish in the Monark Grove lifestyle. To Sharon, working with the senior community is a dream come true. She enjoys hearing residents’ stories and putting a smile on their faces. Outside of work, Sharon loves spending time with her three incredible sons, taking in theater, and traveling. Integrity is her guiding principle and a quote that inspires her is, “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.”— Booker T. Washington

Team member Lina at Monark Grove Clarkston in Clarkston, MichiganLina Roeser

Director of Life Enrichment

Lina joined the Monark Grove Clarkston team in June of 2022 with uniquely diverse background. A former educator, becoming Director of Life Enrichment was a career change for her. A desire to serve the senior community led Lina to return to school to become a Certified Activity Professional–and we’re fortunate to have had her ultimately find a home as Director of Life Enrichment!  A graduate of the University of Michigan, she also says years as a stay-at-home mom gave her extensive training, including patience and compassion towards others. Lina puts those talents to work every day, providing compassionate service to our residents and their loved ones–while building unparalleled person-centered programming. A self-described lifelong caregiver, Lina says she fell in love with seniors’ knowledge and wit. She says she is “honored” to be in her role at Monark Grove Clarkston and feels she, too, is learning more than she ever could have imagined! Born in Detroit and raised in Livonia, Lina now resides in downtown Clarkston, MI. When she’s not busy wearing her many hats at work, Lina enjoys skiing, swimming, gardening, crafting, and spending quality time with friends and family.

Team member Taleena at Monark Grove Clarkston in Clarkston, MichiganTaleena Williams

Dining Room Manager

With 13 years working in dining room and hospitality management, Taleena says she prides herself on making sure everyone who walks through the door has an unforgettable dining experience. Her #1 goal is to make sure the needs of the residents are met. In terms of her role as Dining Room Manager, she says she believes in “fostering success within the team.” The most important part of her job she says, is to be certain resident care is provided with dignity and respect. Having grown up on a sheep farm in Silverwood, MI, Taleena has many interests outside of work! She says she enjoys art and DIY projects–as well as dance, music, and theater. She also has two great kids with whom she shares her love of the great outdoors, encouraging them to stay active and strong. But, her favorite hobby is doing puzzles ...Rubik’s cubes, in particular! 

Team member Ben at Monark Grove Clarkston in Clarkston, MichiganBen Johnson 

Director of Maintenance

With 12+ years working in senior living and maintenance capacities, responsible for preventive maintenance and building safety, Ben says he can “fix just about anything!” Asked why he loves his work at Monark Grove Clarkston, Ben relates, “Every day there’s something new that brings new challenges to the job. Every day I learn new things.” In his work he says he prides himself on doing quality work and getting things done right and neatly! Born and raised in Clarkston, MI, Ben still calls it home. Outside of work Ben especially enjoys family time, as well as outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, and trail riding. 

Team member Jason at Monark Grove Clarkston in Clarkston, MichiganJason Kohler

Executive Vice President, Senior Living

Born and raised in Flint, Jason Kohler has worked in Senior Living and adjacent industries for over 18 years. Since 2003, he has been involved in nearly every facet of senior care, including Independent and Assisted Living, Memory Care, and more. Jason’s prior experience in the Hospitality industry was incredibly helpful when refocusing his career on Senior Living. In his current role, his day-to-day involvement at the community primarily involves helping to support the work that happens in the field, spending quality time in the communities whenever possible. Jason is energized by serving others and loves making a resident’s day whenever and however he can. Outside of work, he plays competitive billiards and also enjoys snowboarding, working out, and spending time with family and friends. His guiding principle is “Take care of your associates. In turn, they will take good care of the residents, and the rest will take care of itself.” A quote that inspires him is, “Whether you think you can, or think you cannot, you’re right.”  - Henry Ford

Team member Adam at Monark Grove Clarkston in Clarkston, MichiganAdam Snyder

Senior Vice President of Operations, Senior Living Division

Originally from Lancaster, PA, Adam Snyder has been involved in Senior Living since 2003. He now oversees the day-to-day operations for all Beztak Senior Living communities. Adam enjoys interacting with people every day and helping brighten lives. He has a passion for tackling issues and finds brainstorming and implementing new solutions very rewarding. Outside of work, Adam loves attending his kids’ sporting events, golfing, hiking, and fishing. 

Team member Daniel at Monark Grove Clarkston in Clarkston, MichiganDaniel Novak

Corporate Director of Food and Beverage, Senior Division

Daniel Novak, a native Detroiter, has been working in management, food service, and senior living for over 20 years. His day-to-day responsibilities include working with our culinary teams developing dining programs, setting and maintaining standards, verifying food safety compliance and ensuring quality. Dan treats each day as an opportunity to exceed our residents expectations by creating a spectacular dining experience from start to finish inclusive of food, ambiance, décor and service. When not at work, he enjoys cooking for family and friends, dining out trying new restaurants, and fishing and spending time at his cottage in Northern Michigan.

Team member Joe at Monark Grove Clarkston in Clarkston, MichiganJoe Del Serrone

Senior Director of Brand Management

Joe Del Serrone was born in Michigan and raised in Italy, where he began his career in hospitality over 20 years ago. His experience includes cruise ships, luxury hotels and apartment management. Joe has worked in Senior Living since 2014, currently leading world-class brand initiatives to ensure a consistent and compelling brand experience globally across the senior living portfolio. Joe enjoys getting to know people and strives to make a positive difference in the lives of residents and team members. When not at work, Joe enjoys cooking, Italian music, travel and quality time with family and friends.

Team member Michael at Monark Grove Clarkston in Clarkston, MichiganMichael MacDonnell

Corporate Director of Sales and Marketing 

Having spent 16 of his over 18 years’ industry experience in related and relevant positions, Michigan native Michael MacDonell is responsible for oversight of the Senior Living salesforce as a whole. This includes active involvement in the success and optimization of all phases, from prospective-resident through to move-in. Michael particularly enjoys working with his team to engage with prospective residents and their families to discover how to best meet the individual needs of each. Outside of work, Michael stays busy helping his wife raise their two young boys. In addition to spending time with his family, he also enjoys playing music and bike riding. One of his chief guiding principles is “take ownership in everything you do.” A quote that inspires him is “We can all make a difference in the lives of others in need, because it is the most simple of gestures that make the most significant of differences.” — Miya Yamanouchi

Team member Colette at Monark Grove Clarkston in Clarkston, MichiganColette Belcourt

Regional Director of Operations, Senior Living

With 8 years of experience in senior living, Colette’s focus is on providing leadership oversight for day-to-day operations at the community level, as well as regional oversight of all operations for the Monark Grove sites. With regard to her role within the Monark Grove family of communities, she says, “I love seeing the positive impact our work has within the senior living environment, providing a luxury product to our senior residents, and knowing they thrive in our care.” In terms of her leadership role within the Monark Grove team, Colette believes in cultivating a positive and productive working environment that drives the communities towards excellence, while treating team members with dignity, respect, and appreciation for their contribution. Born in Fowlerville, she spent her college years in Kalamazoo, and now resides in Lake Orion. Married with 3 children and a golden retriever, outside of work Colette enjoys long distance running, reading books, baking, listening to true crime podcasts, watching her children play sports, and spending time with family.

Team member Natalie at Monark Grove Clarkston in Clarkston, MichiganNatalie Stringer

Director of Artistic and Intellectual Planning

Originally from Washington D.C.,  Natalie brings over ten years’ experience in performing arts, nonprofit administration, and arts conference programming and producing to her role. As Director of Artistic and Intellectual Planning, she is responsible for curating and overseeing the artistic and educational programs for the All Seasons senior communities in MI, AZ, and FL. More specifically, Natalie actively conceptualizes, develops, maintains, and controls the vision, venue, and content that shapes the artistic, educational, and cultural programming of the All Seasons communities. Natalie believes there’s no better feeling than witnessing a room of strangers form an innate bond because of a shared art experience. When not working, she enjoys travel, exploring the outdoors, writing, and seeing as many new performers as she can. A quote that inspires her is “The purpose of art is to lay bare the questions that have been hidden by the answers.” (James Baldwin).

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