Statewide honor recognizes Siddall’s exceptional leadership, innovation and lasting impact on services for older adults.
GROSSE POINTE FARMS, Mich. – Krista Siddall, Executive Director of The Helm at the Boll Life Center, has been named the 2026 Senior Center Director of the Year by the Michigan Association of Senior Centers (MASC), recognizing her outstanding leadership, innovation and dedication to improving the lives of older adults.
The award is part of the MASC Awards of Excellence, which recognizes outstanding individuals, programs, organizations and community partners advancing services for older adults throughout Michigan. As one of only 16 state senior center associations in the country, MASC helps elevate the work of senior centers and aging services professionals statewide. This year, 25 Awards of Excellence applications were submitted, with nominations reviewed and scored by judges from Colorado, Alaska, Washington and Minnesota to ensure a fair and objective selection process.
Siddall received the award on Wednesday, November 4, during the MASC annual conference, attended by senior center and aging services professionals from across Michigan. A representative from the National Council on Aging also traveled from Washington, D.C., to attend the conference and celebrate the work recognized through the association’s Awards of Excellence program.
Since joining The Helm in March 2023, Siddall has led a period of significant growth and transformation, building upon the organization’s longstanding commitment to serving older adults while expanding its reach, strengthening services and positioning The Helm to meet the evolving needs of the Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods.
Among her most significant accomplishments are her leadership in the successful 2024 Senior Services Millage initiative and the development and opening of The Helm Wilson Day Center in 2026. Together, these efforts represent major milestones in expanding services and securing a sustainable future for senior support in the community. Siddall played an instrumental role in helping secure millage funding to strengthen existing programs and expand essential resources, while spearheading the creation of the Wilson Day Center to address a critical need for older adults experiencing memory loss or cognitive decline and their caregivers.
The new adult day program provides meaningful daytime engagement for participants, respite for caregivers and access to personalized guidance and resources. Bringing the center to life required extensive planning, philanthropic support and community partnerships, including collaboration with Henry Ford Health.
“Krista has brought extraordinary vision, determination and leadership to The Helm,” said Carol Klenow, President of The Helm Board of Directors. “From expanding essential services to establishing the Wilson Day Center and helping secure sustainable funding for the future, she has strengthened the organization in ways that will benefit our community for years to come. This recognition is incredibly well deserved.”
Beyond these major initiatives, Siddall has guided improvements across programs and services at The Helm, including expanded health, wellness and enrichment opportunities, enhanced outreach and care navigation, and additional support for caregivers. She has also championed programming in community locations, helping make services more accessible to older adults throughout the Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods.
Siddall has also prioritized staff development and a collaborative workplace culture, contributing to The Helm being named one of Crain’s Detroit Business 2025 Best Places to Work in Southeast Michigan. Her leadership extends beyond the organization through active involvement in regional aging services, healthcare, public health and community initiatives.
“What distinguishes Krista is her ability to turn vision into action,” said Joseph A. Valentine, City Manager of the City of Grosse Pointe. “She recognizes the changing needs of our community, brings people and organizations together, and develops meaningful solutions that make a lasting difference. Her leadership has strengthened not only The Helm, but the network of support available to older adults throughout our communities.”
Siddall’s recognition as Director of the Year celebrates the lasting impact of her leadership and the vision she continues to bring to The Helm. As the organization looks to the future, her commitment to innovation, collaboration and the well-being of older adults will remain central to its continued growth and evolution.