The new executive director of Senior Services, Inc, is a little more familiar with the nonprofit orgnaization’s operations than some new hires might be.
Wyatt Sheeder was invited to join the board of directors of Senior Services last year. When its longtime executive director, Laurel Alkire, retired in May, Sheeder applied for the job and was eventually recommended by the board’s search committee.
Sheeder recused himself from the full board’s vote on the matter and has since resigned from the board.
Donna Johnson, chair of the Senior Services board, cited Sheeder’s previous work in home health care, managerial experience and “passion and enthusiasm for whatever he puts himself to. And having been on our board, he understands the Wichita community and is familiar with the needs of seniors in that community. That was kind of a nice blend for us.”
Senior Serices, Inc. operates Meals on Wheels in Wichita, four senior centers in the city and a senior employment program. It has 37 full- and part-time employees and an annual budget of about $3.2 million.
Sheeder becomes the organization’s third executive director.
“I’m very excicted and very honored to be in this position and I’m looking forward to continuing the legacy of Senior Services, Inc., of Wichita,” he said. “It’s a job that has not been open often.”
Sheeder grew up on a farm in Iowa, going on to study music education and music therapy at Warburg College, a private liberal arts school in Wavery, Iowa. He remembers that a number of textbooks he used were authored or co-authored by graduaates of the Univesrity of Kansas, which has one of the oldesst music therapies program in the nation.
“Music therapy is the use of music to achieve individualized goals,” he said. “Music therapists are trained to assess needs and devlop interventions to work toward those goals,” which could range from relaxation to cognitive stimulation, emotional support, spiritual support and pain reduction.
Sheeder’s first job out of college was a hospice music therapist in Chicago. He came to Wichita in 2012 to create a hospice music therapy program at Rivercross Healthcare, which provides a variety of end-of-life care. He became vice president of operations for a home health care company in 2017 and for the last five years has served as executive director of the Wichita Cancer Foundation. The foundation is a nonprofit that provides financial support for cancer patients across Kansas by paying their health insurance premiums.
Sheeder said joining the Senior Services board reninforced what he already knew about the organization.
“Having worked with seniors most of my career, I’ve observed firsthand the needs fulfilled by Senior Services — socialization and community, certainly nutrition and empowering peope to be active members of society if they want to keep working.”
“When I joined the board, I was reminded of all the different assets and really proud to see how Senior Services is working to support and make changes in the community in those areas.”
Sheeder said the challenge Senior Servies faces “is common in terms of shifts and funding and support.”
Asked what he hopes to accomplish, he said, “I think there’s some opportunities of maybe some increased visibility, making sure people are aware of how they can benefit from our services and support our program.”
Outside of work, Sheeder has volunteered for the Tallgrass Film Festival, performs with the Wichita Chamber Chorale and enjoys travel, paper crafting and reading.
“I really have enjoyed Wichita,”he said. “It’s a very engaged community and diverse, and I have enjoyed being able to be involved in different things.”
