
My Story
Sometimes when you go through negative events, they seem like such a horrific part of your life, but the key is to look back on the pain and say, "How do I let this motivate me for a better future?" Use it as fuel to propel you forward. In the words of my mother, "Find the power in this moment."
-Dwayne J. Clark
Founder & CEO of Áegis Living
A Picture Tells 1000 Words, But A Video...
This video gives you a glimpse of where I came from, how Áegis Living started, and the future we have planned around redefining health and wellness as we age.
Enjoy!
Twenty-four years ago, I founded my own elder care company, Aegis Living. In my several decades of proximity to the elderly, I have learned from the wisest and most simple, from the bravest and most adventuresome, from those impaired by hereditary diseases, from brilliant inventors and successful investors, and from the most loving and humble teachers, scholars, and public servants. You may not be able to predict how you die, but you can shape the way you live.
-Dwayne J. Clark
Founder & CEO of Áegis Living
My Career Journey
Prior to forming Áegis Living, I was Executive Vice President of Sunrise Senior Living, and spent seven years with Leisure Care. When I started Áegis Living, my mission was to redefine an industry that had great potential but was failing in execution. I studied business models from companies known for world-class innovation, all based in Seattle: Costco, Nordstrom, Amazon, and Starbucks. With the knowledge gained from these companies, I grew Áegis Living from a dream to a company with over 2, 000 staff members and seven projects currently under development in the Seattle Area.
Industry Awards
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Top 50 Best Places to Work in 2017 by Glassdoor, an online employee review site
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Top 15 Places to Work with the Best Work/Life Balance in 2017 by Glassdoor
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Best of Assisted Living Design 2015 from Senior Housing News
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2014 Family Business Awards Growth Award by Seattle Business Magazine
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Best Retirement Facility by 425 Magazine (three years in a row)




My Future Focus
Today, I'm always conscious of my ability to impact people near and far, even beyond my own employees and residents, through events like the March for Civility or donating to the local Boys and Girls Club. Whether it’s an assisted living facility that raises the bar for the industry, a book about what it’s like to care for an aging parent with dementia, or a local cafe that gives back to the community, I'm committed to helping elevate people across the globe.
Industry Disruptor
As the Founder and CEO of Áegis Living, I'm Championing the Evolution of Senior Care and Innovative Wellness Solutions.
Áegis Living has more than 30 senior living facilities in the Western U.S., employs more than 3,000 staff members, and to date has served more than 60,000 residents. Áegis has been recognized for the excellence of care to seniors and employees alike, receiving a wide variety of awards, including;
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Top 11 Senior Housing Influencer Senior Care 2020
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Top 50 Best Places to Work in 2017 by Glassdoor
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Top 15 Places to Work with the Best Work/Life Balance in 2017
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Best of Assisted Living Design 2015 from Senior Housing News
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2014 Family Business Growth Award by Seattle Business Magazine
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Best Retirement Facility by 425 Magazine (three years in a row)
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Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award
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Lifetime Achievement Award from Senior Services.


Changing The Face of Assisted Living
I like to refer to Áegis as the “Four Seasons of Assisted Living.” With beautifully designed buildings, diverse and evolving programs that enhance residents’ longevity, and a devoted staff, Áegis is vastly different than other facilities in this industry. Using innovative methods, I work to inspire employees to strive for and deliver exceptional service. It’s a big mission, and it’s what sets Áegis apart. Company culture is not a buzzword for me–it is the DNA with which I built Áegis Living.
Treat Them Like Family
"Hire the right people, provide the right training and offer them the best culture to create overwhelmingly delighted employees. If you take care of your employees, your employees will take care of you."
-Colleen Clark

Culture Curator
Whether it’s through writing books or plays, producing films, giving live presentations and lectures, or collecting art, it is my passion to create and share the spirit of creativity, civility, and legacy with everyone in my community.