A Letter from Our New President and CEO

Dear Future Residents, Families, and Friends of Santa Marta,

Happy New Year! I’m thrilled to join the Santa Marta family as the new President and CEO. With the arrival of 2025, we are not just turning the page on a new calendar year but stepping into an exciting new chapter of growth and opportunity for our community.

As a brief introduction, I am married and live in Shawnee with my husband and our four-year-old son, Aidan. I was born in Kansas City, spent my early years in Greenwood, MO, and later relocated to Ashland, MO. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Adult Development and Aging from the University of Missouri, a Master’s Degree in Human Development (Aging), and an Educational Doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California. My family and I are members of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Parish in Shawnee.

Santa Marta has long been a place where faith, care, and connection come together to create a truly exceptional environment. I am deeply honored to carry forward this tradition while working to make our community even better. My commitment to serving our residents is unwavering — I believe everyone deserves a vibrant, fulfilling life supported by meaningful relationships and outstanding care.

Explore Santa Marta in 2025

For those considering Santa Marta as your future home, now is the perfect time to visit us. We’re hosting several events and tours in the coming weeks, and I’d love the opportunity to meet you personally and share what makes this community so special. There’s something new and exciting happening at Santa Marta—I encourage you to come and experience it for yourself.

As we begin 2025, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to lead such a remarkable community and excitement for the journey ahead. I wish you a very happy New Year and look forward to meeting you in person soon.

Warm regards,

Colleen Hollestelle
President and CEO, Santa Marta

PS: Visit Santa Marta’s Events Page to check out our upcoming events and educational webinars, Wine and Cheese Wednesdays, or our January 28th event focused on how to stay safe from fraud/scams.