Hello VTI family,
I’m thrilled to introduce myself as the new Executive Director of the Validation Training Institute. Stepping into this role feels less like starting a new chapter and more like coming home to the kind of work I’ve been called to do my entire life.
My journey into aging services began long before my first official job title. It started with my “Gram Gram”, my first “resident” in every sense of the word. She taught me what real connection looks like: slowing down, listening between the lines, honoring feelings even when words get tangled. That early relationship shaped everything I’ve done since.
Professionally, I began as a Health and Wellness Coordinator. Over the years, I moved through roles in wellness clinics, skilled nursing facilities, independent living holding titles from activities organizational leadership. I learned how to build programs from the ground up, how to scale them across communities, and how to support caregivers so they can show up with empathy and confidence.
That’s why the Validation Method resonates so strongly with me. It’s so much more than a communication technique; it’s a way of honoring the inner world of people experiencing cognitive change. It creates connection where disconnection often feels inevitable. It restores dignity. It centers feelings. It reminds us that everyone deserves to be heard and understood.
As I step into this role, my focus is clear:
- Expand the reach of Validation so more caregivers, families, and professionals have access to empathy-based communication.
- Strengthen partnerships and pathways for teachers, AVOs, practitioners, and allies around the world.
- Support the international Validation community, the people who make this work real every single day.
- Champion connection as a form of healing, both for older adults and for those who care for them.
I’m incredibly grateful for the warm welcome from Vicki, the Board, our global network, and all of you who carry this mission forward with such heart.
I look forward to meeting you, listening to your stories, and learning how we can continue building on this powerful movement, together.
With appreciation and purpose,
Tamorra Sims