Jay Woolford has over 35 years of executive experience in senior housing. He currently advises on Social Purpose Real Estate and Non-Profit Strategic & Organizational Development. Previously, he was the CEO of Sustainable Housing for Ageless Generations (SHAG), the largest provider of affordable senior housing in Washington State, serving over 5500 low-moderate income seniors in 30+ communities. Under Jay’s leadership, SHAG has focused on developing the supports and services necessary for providing its residents to safely continue to live independently through collaboration and partnerships with other non-profits. Jay most recently served as Leading Age Washington’s Past Board Chair and previously chaired the Senior Living and Community Services Committee. He also serves on the Seattle Central Community College technical advisory council, University of Washington professional education advisory committee and the Policy Advisory Taskforce (PAT) of the Governor’s Affordable Housing Advisory Board (AHAB) for Washington State. Prior to his leadership at SHAG, Jay was involved with developing a number of types of CCRCs throughout the country. These included traditional life-care, equity (coops and condominiums) and entry fee. Jay also helped develop a Senior Services Cooperative to provide support and services in community. Starting out as an architect, he began focusing on senior housing early in his career and that interest in environment, place, support, and community has carried forward. Jay started his studies in art and philosophy and graduated from Cornell University with a BArch.

Education

BArch, Cornell University – 1980

Goethe Institut, Staufen, Germany – 1976

Middlebury College – 1973-76