Lead Instructor: 

Jessica Drecktrah, DNP(c), MHA, MN, RN

Pioneering Healthcare Executive | Nurse Leader | Wellness Strategist

Jessica Drecktrah is a visionary healthcare executive and nurse whose career spans senior living, fitness, academia, retail, and integrative wellness. Currently completing her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership at Duke University, she serves as clinical lead for assisted living at Carolina Meadows, a flagship Novare Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). Previously, she was Vice President of Life Enrichment at Presbyterian Homes & Services, where she led wellness, dementia care, volunteerism, and enrichment initiatives for more than 8,000 residents. She has also served as Chief Nursing Officer and faculty for the Faith Community Nurse Network, guiding 400+ nurses in spiritually integrated community wellness.

Her leadership legacy includes impactful roles with Target, YMCA, Allina Health, Ecumen, the University of Minnesota, and the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA). At ICAA, she developed a groundbreaking wellness audit and ROI tool and continues to teach in its Leadership in Wellness Management Certificate program. She also launched the YMCA’s prototype George Wellbeing Center, advanced healthy aging strategies for 50,000 older adults, and drove enterprise-wide well-being initiatives at Target. Jessica holds master’s degrees in Healthcare Administration and Nursing from the University of Minnesota, a dual bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and serves as Affiliate Faculty at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing.