Change in leadership, new lifelong learning program at The Commons

Reynaldo LeBlanc, executive director at The Commons in Lincoln, has been named as the first president and CEO of the nonprofit JustLiving Communities (JLC), formerly New England Life Plan Communities. JLC owns The Commons, which is operated by Benchmark Senior Living.

LeBlanc joined Benchmark Senior Living in 2013 as move-in coordinator at The Groves in Lincoln (since renamed The Commons in Lincoln) when it was acquired by Benchmark. He was later promoted to director of customer experience and associate campus executive director.

As executive director, a role he assumed in 2018, he guided the community through the Covid-19 pandemic, led its transition to nonprofit ownership under JLC, and oversaw a 28-unit independent living expansion beginning in 2023. The Commons won approval in November 2024 to build 28 new independent living units (14 two-bedroom units in the Flint building, six one-bedroom units in the Russell building, and eight new cottages).

The new executive director will be Debra Foster, who was previously the executive director for The Falls at Cordingly Dam, another Benchmark facility. She starts at The Commons on August 3.

Partnership with OLLI

The Commons in Lincoln has launched a new partnership with Tufts University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) that will give complementary memberships to its residents to access non-credit courses, lectures, interest groups, and special events on campus and remotely. The complimentary membership is worth $75, but program members are responsible for course fees.

All Tufts OLLI courses are taught by vetted OLLI members, Tufts graduate students, Tufts faculty, and subject matter experts. The courses consist of lectures and discussion with no homework. OLLI has 120 locations affiliated with U.S colleges and universities.

In addition to the catalog of remote courses, several classes will be offered to OLLI members on-site at The Commons. This fall, the courses will include “Four Famous Poets: W.B. Yeats, Robert Frost, T.S. Eliot and W.H. Auden,” taught by Tufts OLLI member Ed Dyke; “James A. Michener’s ‘Tales of the South Pacific’.” taught by Tufts OLLI member Ronald Bernard; and “Mind of a Killer,” taught by outside instructor John Olszewski.

“A love of learning is woven into the fabric of our community,” said Elyse Golibroda, Independent Living Programming Director. “This partnership with Tufts University is a natural extension of that spirit, offering access to high-quality educational opportunities and enriching experiences.”

Asked if residents themselves might teach OLLI classes in the future, Golibroda said, “Our residents have impressive professional backgrounds and have much knowledge to offer. They will always have the opportunity to teach a class with OLLI.”