At The Cottages Assisted Living and Memory Care, our communities thrive because of the dedicated leadership guiding them every day. We are deeply grateful for our Regional and Executive Directors, whose commitment, experience, and compassion help ensure that each Cottage community provides exceptional care, comfort, and connection for our residents. By thoughtfully overseeing operations, supporting our caregiving teams, and upholding our mission of personalized senior living, these leaders play a vital role in maintaining the warm, family-centered environment that makes The Cottages so special. In this blog, we’re excited to introduce you to each of these incredible individuals who work behind the scenes to watch over our communities and help them flourish. Their guidance helps our communities continue to grow, serve with excellence, and provide the high-quality senior care that families trust.
Meet The Cottages Regional Directors
The Regional Directors at The Cottages play a critical leadership role by overseeing multiple community locations and ensuring each operates in alignment with both state regulations and organizational standards. They provide guidance and support to community managers and staff, helping maintain high-quality care, compliance, and operational consistency across all sites. Their responsibilities include monitoring regulatory compliance, reviewing performance metrics, supporting staff development, assisting with problem-solving and strategic planning, and ensuring that each community delivers safe, compassionate, and effective services to residents. By maintaining regular communication with leadership teams and conducting site visits, Regional Directors help ensure that The Cottages communities uphold the organization’s mission, values, and commitment to quality care. Let’s meet The Cottages Regional Directors!
Karen Mendoza
Karen Mendoza serves as the Regional Director for The Cottages at Lochsa Falls and The Cottages of Emmett, bringing five years of dedicated service and leadership to The Cottages team. With a deep passion for memory care, Karen recently earned her CARES Dementia Specialist training, further strengthening her commitment to providing compassionate, knowledgeable support to residents living with dementia. Her journey in long-term care is truly inspiring, beginning as a caregiver and steadily working her way up to become an Administrator and now a Regional Director. That path has given her a unique understanding of every role within a community and a deep appreciation for the people who serve in them. Karen’s genuine heart for residents, families, and staff shines through in everything she does, and her leadership reflects the compassion, dedication, and excellence that define The Cottages.
Kristin Baisden
Kristin Baisden serves as the Regional Director for The Cottages at Alpine Meadows and The Cottages at Columbia Village and has been a valued part of The Cottages team for the past three years. Her career caring for seniors in the Treasure Valley spans many years and roles, from CNA and caregiver to coordinator and location leader, giving her a deep understanding of both the needs of residents and the dedication of those who serve them. Before stepping into her current role, Kristin led with excellence as the Executive Director of The Cottages of Boise. Known for her genuine heart and servant leadership style, Kristin has a remarkable ability to guide teams and communities toward success while never losing sight of the people at the center of the work. She is the kind of leader who doesn’t lead from a distance, she is willing to roll up her sleeves and work side by side with her teams, supporting them, encouraging them, and helping create communities where both residents and staff can truly thrive. Her compassion, strength, and commitment make a lasting impact on everyone she serves.
McKenzie “Kenzie” Cortez
McKenzie “Kenzie” Cortez serves as the Regional Director for The Cottages of Payette and The Cottages of Weiser and has been a valued member of The Cottages team for the past two years. An experienced administrator with a deep passion for providing exceptional care to seniors, Kenzie brings both knowledge and heart to her role. Her journey in senior care began as a caregiver, where she developed a firsthand understanding of the compassion and dedication required to serve residents well. After earning her administrator’s license, she continued to grow as a leader while staying grounded in the hands-on experience that shaped her approach to care. Working closely with her team of dedicated caregivers, Kenzie helps ensure that residents receive the excellent, thoughtful care they deserve each day. Her commitment, leadership, and genuine concern for the well-being of residents and staff alike are evident in all that she does.
Meet The Cottages Executive Directors
Executive Directors at The Cottages play a vital role in ensuring that each community operates smoothly while maintaining the highest standards of care and compliance. They are responsible for overseeing the daily operations of their communities, making sure that state regulations and organizational policies are consistently met. Executive Directors support and lead their teams, provide guidance to caregivers, and ensure that residents receive safe, compassionate, and individualized care. Their daily responsibilities often include monitoring compliance and documentation, supporting staff training and development, communicating with families, addressing resident needs, and coordinating with regional leadership to maintain quality and consistency. Through attentive leadership and a strong presence within the community, Executive Directors help create an environment where residents feel safe and valued, and where staff are supported in providing exceptional care. Let’s meet The Cottages Executive Directors!
Heather Pinson
Heather Pinson serves as the Executive Director of The Cottages of Meridian and has been a dedicated member of The Cottages team for 16 years. Her journey in senior care began as a caregiver, and through her dedication, compassion, and leadership she has served in various roles before becoming Executive Director. With more than 20 years of experience in senior care, Heather brings both deep knowledge and genuine heart to everything she does. She considers caring for seniors a true honor and is passionate about creating an environment where residents can live their best possible lives, regardless of age-related limitations. Heather also has extensive training in caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, helping ensure residents receive thoughtful and specialized support. In addition to her work at The Cottages, Heather has contributed greatly to the senior care industry by serving on several healthcare organization boards, sharing her experience and helping advance quality care for seniors throughout the community. Her unwavering dedication to residents, team members, and the broader senior care community continues to make a lasting impact.
Nancy Flores
Nancy Flores serves as the Executive Director of The Cottages of Mountain Home and has been a cherished part of The Cottages family for an impressive 12 years. Throughout her time with the organization, Nancy has served in several roles, including caregiver and Activity Director, before stepping into her leadership role as Executive Director. These experiences have given her a deep understanding of the needs of residents and the importance of compassionate, person-centered care. Nancy truly has a heart of gold and brings warmth, kindness, and dedication to everything she does. With a special passion for memory care, she works closely with her team to ensure residents living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia receive thoughtful, respectful, and loving support each day. Her commitment to residents, families, and team members helps create a welcoming community where everyone feels valued and cared for.
Maddi Thweat Thibault
Maddi Thweat Thibault serves as the Executive Director of The Cottages of Middleton and has been a valued member of The Cottages team for the past six years. Her journey in senior care began as a caregiver, and through dedication, compassion, and hard work she grew into the leadership role she holds today. Maddi holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a pre-medical concentration, bringing both knowledge and a thoughtful approach to the care of residents. Her heart for seniors is deeply personal, having been raised by loving grandparents who played a significant role in guiding and encouraging her throughout her life. That experience continues to shape the way she serves others. Maddi’s kindness, dedication, and respect for those in her care shine through in the way she supports both residents and her team, helping create a community where seniors feel valued, supported, and truly at home.
Catina Jimenez
Catina Jimenez serves as the Executive Director of The Cottages of Boise and has been a valued part of The Cottages team for the past seven months. With many years of experience in senior care, Catina brings both knowledge and compassion to her role and has quickly become a trusted leader within the community. She has extensive experience working with individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, and her dedication to providing thoughtful, person-centered care is evident in everything she does. Catina is a strong and compassionate advocate for her residents, always striving to ensure they are treated with dignity, respect, and kindness. Her commitment to supporting residents, families, and team members makes her a wonderful addition to The Cottages team and an important part of the Boise community.
Grateful for Our Leaders Who Make It All Possible
The Cottages organization is deeply grateful for the dedication and leadership of our Regional Directors and Executive Directors. The work they carry each day is significant, requiring compassion, wisdom, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to the residents and teams they serve. Their efforts ensure that each community operates with excellence, integrity, and heart, while meeting the high standards that residents and families depend on. Though much of their work happens behind the scenes, its impact is felt in every home, every team, and every resident who receives thoughtful care each day. Their leadership truly makes this mission possible, and their work does not go unnoticed. We are incredibly thankful for each of them and the passion they bring to The Cottages every single day.
Let Us Help You Today!
We welcome the opportunity to speak with you about the care that our residents receive at our Idaho locations. We are experts in assisted living, memory care, respite, adult day care, and have been serving seniors for over 20 years. Our small home-like senior living homes and specially-trained team members offer an atmosphere that promotes the well-being of your loved one.
If you have any questions, would like to tour one of the Idaho assisted living or memory care homes, or speak with one of our licensed administrators, please fill out the form below. Please mention which location(s) you’re interested in.
