Working and Serving Together.

Seth Awes was appointed Executive Director of Westminster Place and Ten Twenty Grove in 2024, bringing nearly 20 years of senior living leadership experience with a strong focus on operations and sales & marketing. In this role, he oversees the day-to-day operations of the communities, ensuring excellence in resident care and organizational performance.

Seth joined Presbyterian Living in 2018 as Director of Sales & Marketing at Westminster Place & Ten Twenty Grove, and in 2021 transitioned to The Moorings of Arlington Heights, also part Presbyterian Living, were he served as Administrator of Community Life.

Originally from Minnesota, Seth has spent the past two decades in the Chicago area. He holds dual master’s degrees in Nonprofit Administration and Business Administration from North Park University in Chicago and is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator.

John Denkert has served as Administrator of Community Life at Westminster Place since 2017, bringing over 25 years of senior living leadership experience. He oversees key areas including Independent Living, Concierge Services, Social Services, Hospitality and Dining, Resident Programs, Spiritual Life, and the Fitness Center, with a focus on enhancing resident engagement and satisfaction.

Prior to Westminster Place, John was the Healthcare Administrator at The Moorings of Arlington Heights, where he led operations across Short-term Rehab, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing, Medical Records, and Therapy Services. His tenure was marked by successful annual surveys, the launch of a comprehensive staff appreciation program, and the implementation of multiple quality improvement initiatives.

Earlier in his career John held the Area Controller role with a national senior living organization, managing twelve communities across four states. In 2004 he became Executive Director of a newly opened Assisted Living community, where he introduced a specialized memory care program and achieved deficiency-free state surveys.

John holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is an Illinois Licensed Nursing Home Administrator.

Nancy Ichinose began her career at Westminster Place and Ten Twenty Grove in 1989. She has more than 40 years of experience in activities and programming with 36 years of experience at Westminster Place as an Activity Specialist, Activities Coordinator, and now Director of Community Programs. Nancy is responsible for planning and programming activities, working closely with residents to support their individualized leisure interests and goals.

Prior to joining Westminster Place, Ichinose began her professional career in 1982 working with residents with dementia in a long-term living setting and had a supervisor that mentored her to get a degree in Therapeutic Recreation. She has held positions as an Activity Professional with various organizations including the Council for the Jewish Elderly, and Villa Scalabrini, now part of Ascension Living. She also spent over 30 years working with the Chicagoland Activity Professionals Association in a variety of volunteer positions including President, Education Chair and Executive Secretary for the Illinois Activity Professionals Association.

Sarah was named Director of Sales and Marketing for both Westminster Place and Ten Twenty Grove in 2024. She oversees the independent living census for both communities and leads the sales and marketing team, guiding prospective residents and their families through the decision-making process and transition into independent living.

Since joining Presbyterian Living in 2022, Sarah has held multiple roles across the organization, demonstrating her versatility and leadership. Prior to that, she led nonprofit fundraising initiatives, including serving on boards, and spent time in the classroom as a fourth and sixth grade teacher.

Originally from Chicago’s southwest suburbs, Sarah now lives on the city’s north side. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from North Park University and a Master of Arts in School Improvement Leadership from Olivet Nazarene University. She is licensed in both elementary education and school administration.

Michael Elkes was named Healthcare Administrator of Westminster Place in 2025. He has more than 35 years of experience in skilled nursing operations leadership. He is responsible for healthcare operations, strategic planning, operations management, regulatory in McGaw, Foster, and The Highlands.

Michael Elkes began his career in senior living at Lakeview Nursing and Rehabilitation Centre in 1987 as an Administrative Intern and was promoted to Administrator in 1989. From 2011 to 2015, he served as Regional Director of Operations at Infinity Healthcare. Before joining Westminster Place, he held a variety of leadership and consulting roles including Executive Director and Director of Employee Engagement, focusing on culture and strategic resource applications.

Born and raised in Skokie, Illinois, Elkes obtained a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He is an Illinois Licensed Nursing Home Administrator.

Denise Johnson was named Director of Spiritual Life at Westminster Place in July 2021. She began as a Chaplain Intern in 2015 and moved to a Staff Chaplain position in 2016. She has served on all four of the Presbyterian Living campuses.

Denise is responsible for overseeing the religious programming for Westminster Place, including worship services, the Chaplain Intern program, the Gift of Music Recital Series, special interfaith and holiday services, Memorial Services, and other programs that serve the entire community. She also coordinates with local clergy and volunteers who visit our community to lead services and care for residents.

For over 25 years, Denise has been actively involved in an interfaith group—now known as the New Trier Multifaith Alliance—committed to fostering dialogue and understanding among the diverse faith traditions in the area. Before joining Westminster Place, she held leadership roles in several nonprofit organizations and ministry settings.

Denise was born and raised in Northfield, IL and for the past forty years has resided in Wilmette, IL. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and English from North Park University and a Master of Divinity degree from North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago. She is ordained in the Evangelical Covenant Church.