Teresa M Klaassen

Ms. Klaassen founded Sunrise Senior Living with her husband, Paul, in 1981. As Sunrise's chief cultural officer, she helps develop programs that maintain the company’s focus on its commitment to core values and principles of service. Ms. Klaassen is a founding member of the Assisted Living Federation of America, the largest assisted living trade association, and currently serves on the boards of directors of several long-term care organizations. She is a member of the Committee of 200, a leadership group of select U.S. corporate women and the Chairman of Sunrise Senior Living Education Foundation Board, which operates Merritt Academy, The Appletree School, and First Steps Childcare Center. Ms. Klaassen also serves on The Board of Trustees of Eastern University and is a member of the International Women's Forums of Washington, D.C. and South Florida as well as the Advisory Board of Directors for South Florida's The Commonwealth Institute, and its Legacy Advisors, a group that supports women entrepreneurs and business owners.