Susan DiMickele spent 21 years in Big Law before making a career pivot that ultimately led her to become President and CEO of National Church Residences. In this episode of Beyond the Resume, Susan joins Chris Papa and Lisa Flicker to discuss the experiences, decisions, and leadership lessons that shaped her path from attorney to nonprofit housing executive.
Susan shares how her father’s end-of-life journey, the needs of her family, and a longstanding desire to do mission-driven work helped push her toward a new chapter. After serving on the National Church Residences board, she joined the organization as its first general counsel, then expanded into innovation, home- and community-based services, senior living, and healthcare before eventually stepping into the CEO role.
The conversation explores National Church Residences’ work serving older adults through affordable housing and services including service coordination, home health, hospice, primary care, caregiver support, and benefits navigation. Susan also discusses the growing population of older adults, the rise in homelessness among seniors, the difficulty of getting affordable housing deals done, and the organization’s goal of serving 100,000 older adults by 2030.
Susan also breaks down what leadership looks like from the CEO seat: surrounding yourself with talented people, giving them the tools they need, and staying accountable to the organization’s vision. She identifies talent as one of the biggest factors in reaching National Church Residences’ growth goals and explains why adaptable people with a growth mindset will be increasingly important as roles and technology continue to change.
For professionals considering a career change, Susan offers a clear message: be willing to make a lateral move or even take a pay cut, focus on the “next right thing,” and play the long game. The episode closes with Susan discussing faith, personal routines, her hiring philosophy, and the mentors who shaped her career.
CHAPTERS
(00:00) Meet Susan DiMickele & National Church Residences
(03:02) What Makes Senior Affordable Housing Different?
(04:02) Leaving Big Law for a Mission-Driven Career
(05:43) From General Counsel to President & CEO
(06:44) Combining Housing, Healthcare & Services
(08:01) The Origins of National Church Residences
(09:49) Living Longer vs. Living Better: Finding Your “Joy Span”
(11:39) The Growing Housing Challenge Facing Older Adults
(12:34) What Does a CEO Actually Do?
(13:41) Transferable Skills & Developing a Growth Mindset
(15:23) Susan’s Early Career, Family & Sense of Purpose
(17:24) Why Affordable Housing Deals Are Getting Harder
(18:42) Career Pivots: Take the Lateral Move and Play the Long Game
(19:52) The Talent Needed to Serve 100,000 Older Adults
(21:47) AI, Changing Roles & Hiring for Adaptability
(23:29) The Hot Seat
(25:13) Faith, Personal Rhythms & Staying Grounded
(26:46) Susan’s Hiring Philosophy
(29:37) Mentors Who Shaped Her Career
(30:59) Closing Thoughts with Susan DiMickele
YouTube: https://youtu.be/Cb3D6TjUPmU
Spotify: https://bit.ly/beyondtheresume-spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3I3nkG9
