ARTICLES

In January 2023, OnePoint Partners welcomed their newest Partner, Sarah Laffey. Sarah is a highly experienced finance executive with a twenty-seven-year career dedicated to the senior living industry. We sat with Sarah to learn more about her background and new role.

Q:  Please share a little about your professional background and role at OnePoint Partners. 

A:  I spent most of my career in the financial and capital markets sector. In the 90s, I started my career in banking at Fleet Bank in a commercial lending role. Initially, I was placed in a healthcare finance group that focused on healthcare and not-for-profit organizations. After a few years, I became involved in the financing of a senior housing community construction project in Greater Boston. The bank wanted to specialize in senior housing at the time, and I was selected to lead that effort.

In the years following, I continued work in the senior housing space, eventually becoming the Chief Financial and Chief Investment Officer at Benchmark Senior Living, a for-profit company with private equity partnerships.

During the pandemic, I connected with Toby Shea, one of the founding partners at OnePoint, with whom I had previously worked in different capacities. He asked if I would consider joining the company. One thing led to another, and I decided to make the leap. It was a big decision, but I was excited about the opportunity to work with Toby and the dynamic team. I believed that I could help make a difference at OnePoint and contribute my expertise.

 

Q:  Why are you passionate about the work that you do?

A:  At the end of the day, it’s the impact we make on our clients’ lives that truly matters. For example, we’re currently assisting a not-for-profit client in purchasing another not-for-profit organization that is going through bankruptcy. We’re working hard to structure the deal, capitalize it, and turn the bankrupt organization around.

When we were finally able to reach an agreement with the bankrupt organization and see the relief on the owner’s face, it was truly a remarkable moment. Our client as well as their residents were finally able to take a deep breath and relax, knowing that their lives were not going to be turned upside down. It’s moments like these that truly energize me and remind me why I’m passionate about this work.

 

Q:  What sets OnePoint apart?

A:  There’s no other company out there that comprehensively does what OnePoint does. While some firms may offer similar services, we are truly unique. Our group is focused on strategic advisory, but our success is measured by how well our clients can stand on their own.  Our engagements are never a one-size-fits-all solution.  We take the time to understand our clients’ needs whether it’s revenue generation, operational improvements, market positioning, financial structuring or something else, we’re able to bring the right combination of advisory expertise to the table.

We have made the strategic decision not to operate like a management company. We don’t want our clients to be locked into long-term contracts; instead, we work with clients to customize and create unique solutions that work best for them. Our approach allows for flexibility, uniqueness, and creativity in our services.

 

Q:  What does OnePoint’s B Corp designation mean to you? 

A:  At OnePoint, we are proud to be B Corp certified. I believe that we are one of the first companies in the industry to hold this designation, which is a significant milestone.

When first speaking with Toby, I was impressed that at its core, OnePoint is an organization that, in addition to prioritizing capital goals, prioritizes the improvement of lives, responsible care for service users and employees, environmentally conscious decision-making, and social impact. Joining an organization with such a value system makes me very proud.

Coming from the for-profit world, the focus was always on generating more profit and cash flow. Getting rid of that noise was a relief. While having a bottom line is necessary to stay in business, we don’t need to grow it by 10% every year or have an investment partner that is only

interested in generating more profit. We believe that taking care of people should be the main focus, and that’s why we are committed to being a B Corp.

 

At OnePoint, we are committed to advancing non-profit senor living through forward-thinking leadership, collaboration, and compassion to help our clients achieve their full potential.