The Commons in Lincoln Names Debra Foster as Next Executive Director

The Commons in Lincoln, a not-for-profit continuing care retirement community in Lincoln, Mass., announces Debra Foster as its next Campus Executive Director. With this appointment, Foster will lead the community after its previous executive director, Rey LeBlanc, was appointed president & CEO of JustLiving Communities.

“I grew up surrounded by grandparents and a full, multigenerational family. My appreciation for seniors and the wisdom, knowledge and conversations I experienced in these relationships left an indelible impact on me—one of service and appreciation,” said Foster. “This role in senior living allows me to deliver on my passion to serve others. I take great pride in helping residents and families feel supported—it is especially rewarding to see residents’ faces light up, to see them smile. I look forward to building on Benchmark’s commitment to excellence and making a meaningful difference for the residents and families we serve.”

As Campus Executive Director, Foster provides overarching support to all facets of the community, including the full continuum of care—Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Sub-Acute Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing. Foster sees her role as critical to bridging quality care with warm and welcoming hospitality. She is dedicated to listening closely to residents and assisting them with taking advantage of all The Commons has to offer. She is also committed to developing and growing the team of talented associates who work at The Commons and building on the positive, supportive culture of the community. For 10 years before joining The Commons, Foster served as executive director at The Falls at Cordingly Dam, another Benchmark community. At The Falls at Cordingly Dam, she led overall operations for their Assisted Living and Memory Care neighborhoods, while cultivating a service-driven culture.

Prior to her leadership in senior living, Foster served in roles with increasing responsibility in the hospitality industry for more than 30 years. Before Benchmark, she served as director of operations for Sheraton Boston Hotel. She was responsible for the hotel’s budget and operations, which included 1,220 rooms and 80,000 square feet of meeting space—overall, a $100 million operation. Prior to Sheraton Boston Hotel, she was director of operations for Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center. Foster earned a Master of Business Administration from Boston College and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Bates College.