Riley Finnegan
Roles and Responsibilities
Riley Finnegan currently serves as the Assisted Living and Mind & Memory Care programming director at New Pond Village. She thoughtfully curates engaging programs, tailored to each resident’s unique interests and abilities. Riley ensures that every program aligns with Benchmark’s six dimensions of engagement—physical, emotional, social, sense of purpose, intellectual and sensory—creating a nurturing environment where residents can thrive.
For Riley, it is more than just activities; it is about ensuring that residents are living happy, engaged and fulfilled lives. As she shares, “It is extremely important to me that families feel comfortable knowing that their loved ones are living life to the fullest.”
Industry Expertise & Career Journey
Riley has cultivated her skills in senior care through a variety of roles. Riley’s path began during her college years, when she worked as a CNA and personal care aide in Memory Care and Assisted Living communities. She graduated and became a Program Coordinator at Marbridge Assisted Living and Memory Care, where she focused on dementia care and creating engaging programs for residents.
In 2023, she joined New Pond Village as the Mind & Memory Care program coordinator, where she developed thoughtful activities that cater to residents’ cognitive and emotional needs. Her dedication to resident well-being and her collaborative approach have made her a valued team member and a trusted resource for families.
Passion for Senior Care
Riley is driven by a heartfelt passion for helping seniors live joyful, purposeful lives. “I am a firm believer that life does not stop after moving to Assisted Living or Memory Care,” she shares. “If anything, it can be even more fun.” She takes the time to get to know each resident’s life story, preferences and hobbies to create activities that truly resonate and uplift.
Riley also cherishes the meaningful and long-lasting relationships she builds with residents. “What I am most passionate about in my role is creating impactful, meaningful and long-lasting relationships with the residents. Sometimes I feel like the residents help me just as much as I help them.”
Milestones
Riley earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Services from Quinnipiac University. She is a Certified Dementia Care Practitioner and was recognized in 2024 as a Service Champion Award recipient by Benchmark Senior Living, an honor that reflects her creativity, compassion and unwavering dedication to residents. Riley was promoted to program director in April of 2025.
Leadership Philosophy
“I am a firm believer that this is the residents’ home, and we must treat it as such. It is extremely important to create engaging, fun programs that are tailored to each resident’s interests—seven days a week, throughout the day. There should never be ‘bored’ or ‘lonely’ residents when the programming team is in the building. My goal is to ensure that every resident feels a true sense of belonging and purpose when they come to New Pond Village. Aging can be a lonely experience, but my team and I are here to make sure our residents never feel that way.”
Personal Interests
In her free time, Riley enjoys expressing her creativity through various arts and crafts, including ceramics, painting and collaging. She also cherishes spending time with her friends and family—especially her cat, Poppy—and makes sure to visit her twin sister in Syracuse whenever she can.
To learn more about Riley’s approach and dedication, visit her feature article: Riley Finnegan: The Memory Nurturer.