Keynote
Navigating Difficult Times to Transform the Future: Leadership Strategies for Success
Wednesday, June 21 – 10:45 AM – 12:30 PM
Powered by
Effective leadership does not guarantee success, but ineffective leadership guarantees failure. Deke Cateau, CEO of A.G. Rhodes, a nonprofit nursing home provider in Atlanta, shares leadership lessons that have helped his organization navigate the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19, regulatory and other operational challenges, and societal issues that are impacting communities across the nation. These are certainly precarious times for residential care, health care, aging and senior housing industries, but out of these difficult times is the opportunity to transform the future for those who rely on our nation’s Senior Housing and Long Term Services and Supports.
This session offers 1.25 credit hours for NAB; HRCI; and HUD general certificates.
Deke Cateau is the Chief Executive Officer at A.G. Rhodes, a nonprofit organization operating three nursing homes in metro Atlanta. With more than 20 years of experience in long-term care, Deke is passionate about fostering a greater understanding of and appreciation for the aging population.
As a leader in the fields of health care and aging, Deke educates the community – through robust outreach and speaking engagements with local, national, and international audiences – about the complex issues surrounding aging and long-term care. In 2021, Deke published his first book: Brush Fire: COVID-19 and Our Nursing Homes, which quickly became an Amazon best seller. The book gives an open and honest account of the pandemic’s impact on A.G. Rhodes and on the nursing home industry as a whole. Dedicated to unsung health care heroes, Brush Fire is a book of inspiration and hope. Deke has also published previous articles on long-term care.
In addition to being a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, Deke is a certified dementia care practitioner, trainer, and educator. He is also a recognized advisor to organizations and leaders on industry topics related to person-directed care, leadership, workforce development, strategic planning, and governance.
Deke serves on the Board of Directors for several organizations including LeadingAge, The Eden Alternative, Georgia Health Care Association, the I’m Still Here Foundation, and the Georgia Center for Nursing Excellence. He also serves on the member committee for the Advancing Excellence in Long-Term Care Collaborative, and he serves on the Kaiser Permanente’s Executive Employer Advisory Council. Deke was recently invited to serve as a steering committee member on the Moving Forward Coalition to work to advance the vision of the 2022 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s nursing home quality report.
Deke holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and a Post Graduate Diploma in International Relations from the University of the West Indies St. Augustine Campus where he graduated as Valedictorian in 1997, and a certification in Global Leadership Development from the University of the Virgin Islands. He is a Leadership Atlanta class of 2019 graduate.
