WesleyLife has announced the appointment of Donna Boetger as its new chief people & culture officer, effective Monday, September 8. Boetger will join the senior leadership team at WesleyLife’s Johnston headquarters, bringing more than two decades of experience in human resources leadership and a proven track record of fostering people-first cultures.
Boetger served most recently as senior vice president, director of human resources at Life Care Services (LCS), one of the nation’s most respected senior living organizations. During her 11-year tenure with LCS, she led a team supporting more than 140 communities and 24,000 team members nationwide.
Boetger's leadership guided transformative initiatives in performance management, strategic hiring, leadership development, onboarding, and culture-building — efforts that helped position LCS as an employer of choice in the industry.
“Donna brings a remarkable breadth and depth of experience, coupled with a deep commitment to the people who make our mission possible,” Rob Kretzinger, president and CEO of WesleyLife, said. “Her ability to connect strategy to culture and culture to results will be an incredible asset as we continue to grow our impact.”
Prior to her work at LCS, Boetger served as human resources director for Eyerly Ball Mental Health, aligning with WesleyLife’s focus on mental wellness as a key component of overall well-being. She also held leadership roles at Mail Services in Urbandale and Sunrise Retirement Community in Sioux City.
Boetger earned her bachelor’s degree in human resources from Briar Cliff University in Sioux City and her MBA with an emphasis in human resources from Bellevue University in Bellevue, Nebraska. Throughout her career, she has implemented innovative apprenticeship programs, enterprise HR systems, and engagement-focused onboarding initiatives, all with an emphasis on retention, leadership development, and team performance.
“Donna’s leadership style, her collaborative approach, and her passion for enriching lives make her a perfect fit for WesleyLife,” Kretzinger added. “We are thrilled to welcome someone whose experience and goals lend themselves so perfectly to our desire to enhance our reach and our impact.”
