Fall 2025 Unscripted Magazine - Flipbook - Page 46
LIVING, LEARNING,
& LEADING WELL
Get to know Kevin Cysyk, Messiah Lifeways’ Chief Experience Officer,
in this Q&A about purpose, growth, and the value of helping others.
Q: H OW D I D YO U G E T I N VO LV E D IN
Q: WHAT ARE YOU CUR RENTLY LEARNING
THE S E N I O R L I V I N G I N D U ST RY?
OR CU RIOUS ABOUT ?
A: When I was in high school, I started working as a
A: I’m always learning and reading books, mostly
server at an assisted living community, and it changed
nonfiction about leadership principles and team
my whole life. At the time, I thought I was going to
building. I’d love to say I’ve figured it out, but it’s a
do anything other than senior living as a career,
constant journey. I’ve been spending time thinking
but it just kept pulling me back.
about organizational health at a high level and how
I spent most of my career in the for-profit side
of senior living, but my goal was to always end up
with a nonprofit, mission-driven organization like
we can continue to unify team members to think and
function as one unit, because we do so much better
when we’re all running in the same direction.
Messiah Lifeways.
Q : WHAT ’S A MAN TRA TH AT IS
Q: I F YO U W E R E TO D E S C R I B E YO U R SELF
IN J U ST O N E WO R D, W HAT WO U L D I T BE?
A: Empathetic. I really try to understand people, and
MEANINGFUL TO YOU?
A: “You must be the change you want to see
in the world.” — Mahatma Gandhi
that fuels me. It’s the driver of what I do every day.
Q : WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DO ING
Q: W H AT IN S P I R E S YO U ?
A: So many things inspire me, but I think my greatest
inspiration is helping people grow—helping people
figure out who they want to be and help them get
there. I spend a lot of time helping develop people,
whether they know it or not. I like to see other people
be successful. I like to see other people be happy.
IN YOUR FRE E TIME?
A: I spend a lot of time outdoors hiking, kayaking,
and sailing my boat at either Lake Clark, on the
Susquehanna River, or the Chesapeake Bay. I also play
bass. I used to play a little bit of everything, including
the guitar and saxophone, but the bass has become
my primary instrument.
There’s a lot of things to be unhappy about in the
world. It’s refreshing to be able to be a catalyst for
Q: WHAT SONG WOULD BE ON THE
positive change and growth.
SOUNDTRACK OF YOUR LIFE RIGH T NOW?
A: “Southern Cross” by Crosby, Stills & Nash.
That’s my ‘take me away’ song. It transports me
to another place.
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