LeadingAge Illinois, LeadingAge Iowa, and LeadingAge Missouri are pleased to announce the official merger of the three state associations into a stronger, more connected regional organization named LeadingAge Midwest while also maintaining the separate, outward-facing, state-specific identities of LeadingAge Illinois, LeadingAge Iowa and LeadingAge Missouri. This structure is designed to expand member value through a centralized infrastructure while preserving the state-based relationships, advocacy, and personal support members rely on every day.
This merger represents a proactive and strategic step forward for mission-driven aging services providers across Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. By combining three organizations, the unified association will build on the strengths of each state while creating a more efficient regional infrastructure behind the scenes. Through a shared back office under the name of LeadingAge Midwest, the organization will reduce duplication, streamline operations, and leverage resources more effectively—allowing for more time, attention, and investment devoted to state-specific member services, advocacy, education and support.
A core benefit of the merger is the opportunity to leverage technology in new and more meaningful ways to improve the member experience. With a stronger regional foundation, the association is positioned to maximize digital resources, enhance communications, improve access to education and create seamless ways for members to connect with information, expertise and one another. These technology investments support a more responsive, modern and accessible association experience for members in all three states.
At the same time, the merger is intentionally structured to ensure that growth in scale does not come at the expense of personal relationships. Knowledgeable staff are present in each state, continuing to support members locally and maintain the trusted connections that have long defined each association. Members will continue to have direct access to individuals who understand their state’s regulatory environment, legislative priorities, provider landscape and unique operational challenges.
As part of this structure, each state is supported by a State Executive Director. These positions, coupled with Board representation, are central to ensuring that Illinois, Iowa and Missouri perspectives are represented and each state retains a strong and visible presence within the unified organization. The State Executive Directors will serve as key contacts for members, legislators, regulators and other stakeholders. They will help ensure that state-specific needs, advocacy priorities and member concerns are front and center in the association’s work, while also helping members benefit from the broader expertise and resources of a regional organization.
“This merger allows us to do more for members while staying deeply connected to the states and communities we serve,” said Angela Schnepf, President and CEO. “A regional back office gives us the scale to create efficiencies, invest in technology and expand resources, while our state-based staff and Executive Directors ensure that personal relationships, state advocacy, and local member needs remain at the heart of our work.”
The unified association will also expand opportunities for member engagement and peer connection. Beginning in August, an enhanced member engagement and networking infrastructure will be rolled out to support both intrastate and cross-state networking. This new infrastructure is designed to help members connect more easily with peers within their own state, while also opening the door to broader regional collaboration across Illinois, Iowa and Missouri.
Through this expanded engagement model, members will have greater access to networking groups, educational opportunities, shared learning, peer-to-peer problem solving and timely resources. The association will be able to significantly increase the amount of education and practical support available to members, while also creating new ways for providers to exchange ideas, identify solutions and learn from one another across state lines.
The merger builds on a strong foundation of collaboration among the three states, including prior shared programming, member events, salary surveys, leadership opportunities and regional networking. By formalizing this partnership, LeadingAge Illinois, Iowa and Missouri are positioned to deliver greater value, deepen engagement and strengthen the collective voice of mission-driven aging services providers throughout the region.
Members can expect the same trusted advocacy, high-quality education, timely communications and personalized support they have always received—now strengthened by broader expertise, expanded infrastructure and a larger regional network.
Together, LeadingAge Illinois, Iowa and Missouri will continue advancing excellence, innovation and collaboration in aging services while ensuring that each state’s voice, identity and priorities remain clearly represented.