Our Story

Austera Group was born out of a shared passion for creating exceptional senior housing. Our founders, Kristin Kutac Ward and Michelle Clark, bring a wealth of diverse experiences and a deep commitment to enhancing the lives of older adults. Embracing the power of collaboration and community, we strive to create harmonious and sustainable solutions that elevate senior housing projects to new heights, ensuring that every step we take is guided by unity and a shared vision for the future.

Kristin’s 30-year journey in the senior housing industry has enabled her to work in all facets of creating successful projects and communities. From her early days as a nursing home administrator to founding a marketing consulting and advertising firm, and eventually leading a management company as CEO, Kristin has worn many hats. Her extensive background gives her a unique perspective on what it takes to create thriving senior communities.

Michelle’s path is equally impressive. With a degree from architecture school and a career as an interior designer, she has worked on hundreds of senior housing projects, ensuring that each one is both beautiful and functional. Her expertise doesn’t stop there—Michelle has also excelled in development and capital raising for senior housing, bringing the financial acumen needed to turn visions into reality.

Together, Kristin and Michelle combine their talents to lead Austera Group with a perfect blend of creativity, experience, and dedication. Inspired by the elegance of the Golden Ratio and the harmony and sustainability of the Fibonacci Sequence, their diverse backgrounds and unwavering passion for senior housing drive everything we do, from designing welcoming spaces to delivering individualized solutions and programs.

Our Approach: Harmonizing growth and success

At Austera Group, we believe in harmony, growth, and sustainable success for our clients. We provide a holistic suite of services designed to elevate your senior housing project to new heights, considering every element of your business and ensuring that all components are aligned and working in unison towards your goals.

Our approach to senior housing projects is designed to develop balanced and optimal solutions. The Fibonacci sequence, known for its unique pattern where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones, symbolizes growth and interconnectedness, and inspires everything we do. This principle guides us in ensuring that every element of your business is aligned and working in unison towards your goals.

Our methodology is rooted in a three-step process:

1. Assess: We begin by thoroughly assessing every aspect of your senior housing project. This involves understanding your current situation, identifying strengths, opportunities and aspirations, and gathering insights to inform strategy.
2. Position: Based on our assessment, we position your project for success by aligning all components with your overarching goals. This step ensures that every element of your business is strategically prioritized to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.
3. Solve: Finally, we implement tailored solutions designed to address your specific challenges and improve outcomes. Our solutions are both innovative and efficient, prioritizing tactics to achieve your goals based on highest impact.

Using this structured approach, our advisory services help your business grow in a harmonious and sustainable manner. We focus on creating strategies that balance short-term gains with long-term success.

We offer a comprehensive range of services tailored to fit your unique needs. With decades of experience in all facets of the senior housing industry, we provide integrated solutions that ensure every aspect of your business works cohesively. Our approach enhances overall efficiency and effectiveness while ensuring you stand apart from your competition.