Happy Team Members, Award-Winning Culture

Sequoia Living asked its team members how they wanted to define the culture. “We truly wanted to know what they think,” said Martha Atwood, Chief People Officer. Using the Barrett’s Values Centre survey, employees were asked to identify their top 10 personal values and the top 10 values they see in the organization. They were also asked about desired culture.

If Sequoia Living was performing at its ultimate best, what would the top 10 values be in the organization?

With a high 91% participation rate, team members from dishwashers to department managers completed the survey. The top three values identified for the desired culture were accountability, caring and teamwork. While some staff might complain that leadership would not listen to the results, the CEO and executive team embraced what was revealed. “Everything we do we weave in the values, including our recruitment, recognition program, training, and performance appraisal process,” said Martha.

Sequoia Living created grassroots culture clubs with line staff and leaders working side-by-side. “Every community has a culture club, including our home office,” said Martha. “And they really brought the values to life through educational sessions, recognition programs, celebrations, and more.”  

In 2024, the survey administered by Drive revealed our culture score went up from 80 to 91. “A culture score reflects the strength of an organization’s workplace culture, measuring how well employees feel supported, valued, and engaged in their roles,” said Denise Boudreau, President of Drive. Sequoia Living received the World’s Top Culture award for the second year in a row.

In 2023, Sequoia Living created an innovation award where people can solve a problem to improve service. Staff pitched an idea and Sequoia Living provided a stipend to implement the idea. In 2025, Sequoia Living will launch a Shark Tank-like competition, where they can get team members together and come up with ideas on how they want to improve the workplace. “We really believe that it’s not us as leaders that have all the answers,” explained Martha. “Listening to our team members has helped recruitment and retention.”

Sequoia Living’s turnover hit an all-time low of 17% at one of its Life Plan Communities with zero open positions. “We went from 30 open nursing jobs to zero,” said Martha. “People really want to come work for us.” Besides World’s Best Culture for workplace values, Sequoia Living provides programs for emergency relief and 75% tuition reimbursement for nursing degrees. With these outstanding benefits, team members build trust and stay with us longer.

About Sequoia Living:
With 750 employees and over 1,000 residents and participants, Sequoia Living operates four life plan communities and three affordable housing communities in the San Francisco Bay area. Its broad community services programs include the oldest operating Senior Center in the nation. Learn more about our nonprofit at www.sequoialiving.org/about.

About World’s Top Culture Designation:
World’s Best Culture distinction by Drive, the leading provider of innovative solutions designed to enhance the culture of aging service organizations. With a deep understanding of the field’s unique challenges and opportunities, Drive helps achieve outcomes through culture so employees, residents, and organizations thrive.