LCS Announces 2026 InnoTank Competition Winner
May 13 2026LCS has announced the winner of its 2026 InnoTank competition, an internal pitch event designed to elevate innovative ideas from both corporate and community employees. The competition was held live in front of over 450 attendees during the LCS Community Operations Conference in Des Moines, Iowa, on May 12, 2026.
Five finalist individuals and teams pitched their ideas to a panel of judges for the chance to win the $10,000 grand prize. Ultimately, the entry from Cynthia Storm, Director of Memory Care, Clarendale Ann Arbor, was selected as the 2026 InnoTank winner for her Alzheimer's themed concept.
“In just its second year, InnoTank continues to gain momentum,” said Frank Vedder, LCS Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer. “Our employees are truly embracing innovation - more than 50 entries were received this year - and the competition was even stronger. The ideas brought forward have the potential to meaningfully advance how we work and better serve our residents.”
Vedder and Joel Nelson, LCS Board Chair and former CEO, served as judges for the live competition along with a resident judge and industry-leading experts:
- Katie Sloan, President and CEO of Leading Age, the association of nonprofit and mission-driven providers of aging services. Sloan advances strategic priorities that increase impact through advocacy, enhance member value, and foster innovative solutions to improve services and support for older adults.
- Katie Schmitz, Head of Principal Investing and Fund Management at Ziegler and the Managing Principal of the Ziegler Link-age Funds, a venture capital fund family with an investment policy designed to support innovation, collaboration and growth among entrepreneurs and senior living and healthcare providers.
- John Hayes, a Sandhill Cove resident who has served as Resident Council President and brings a distinguished career in television broadcasting. He has held leadership roles including News Director and General Manager and later founded a company that grew into the largest owner of television stations in the United States.
