Our Team

MICHAEL MANUEL

CO-FOUNDER

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Michael Manuel serves as the visionary Founder and CEO of Next Level Senior Living, where he combines over two decades of healthcare and senior living experience to redefine care standards in assisted living and memory care. With an extensive background in operations, financial management, and business development, Michael is dedicated to creating innovative, resident-focused communities that set a benchmark in the industry.

Born and raised in a far suburb of Chicago, Michael has that Midwest commonsense, while being near Chicago made him business savvy as well.  Under his leadership, Next Level Senior Living thrives on operational excellence and a commitment to personalized care. He specializes in designing scalable systems, optimizing workflows, and driving strategic growth initiatives that enhance resident outcomes and financial performance. His ability to manage large-scale projects, navigate complex challenges, and build cohesive teams has been central to the company’s success.

Michael’s career highlights include:

  • Leading multimillion-dollar organizations nationwide to achieve record-breaking occupancy and revenue.

  • Developing innovative care models and policies that enhance quality and efficiency.

  • Forging key partnerships with healthcare organizations to expand service offerings and improve care delivery.

  • Overseeing the integration and transformation of new facilities, driving operational consistency and financial growth.

As a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator (LNHA) and a leader in post-acute and senior living care, Michael collaborates closely with the COO and executive team to ensure the alignment of business strategies with the company’s mission and values.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago and an MBA from National Louis University. Beyond healthcare, Michael has extensive experience in property management and real estate.  His first adult entrepreneurial endeavor was in college, where he founded one of the first internet radio stations in the country. 

Outside of work, Michael enjoys spending time with his three children, Brittany, Ashley, and Robert, playing guitar, reading, collecting vinyl records, and exploring the outdoors. An avid film enthusiast, he loves delving into classic and contemporary cinema, as well.

KRISTA BROWN

CO-FOUNDER

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Krista Brown is an accomplished healthcare executive with over a decade of experience in senior living and healthcare administration. As COO of Next Level Senior Living, Krista brings a wealth of expertise in operations management, business development, and financial optimization. She is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator (LNHA) with a strong academic foundation in Healthcare Management and Applied Sciences.

Raised on the Illinois side of the St. Louis area, Krista feels right at home in the Midwest.  At Next Level Senior Living, Krista oversees operational performance, regulatory compliance, and quality of care across assisted living and memory care communities. Her leadership focuses on optimizing financial outcomes, improving clinical workflows, and fostering high-performing teams. Krista’s ability to balance strategic vision with day-to-day operational excellence has resulted in increased occupancy, revenue, and resident satisfaction.

Krista’s career achievements include:

  • Successfully leading multi-state operations, achieving record-breaking revenue and occupancy levels.

  • Driving service innovation, including niche program development and strategic growth initiatives.

  • Implementing CRM systems to streamline operations, track leads, and improve team performance.

  • Building trusted relationships with hospitals, insurers, and community organizations to expand referral networks.

With a passion for delivering exceptional care, Krista collaborates closely with the leadership team to align operational strategies with Next Level Senior Living’s mission and vision.

In her personal life, Krista enjoys spending time with her beloved boxer, Rylie, as well as indulging in hobbies like coffee tasting, cooking, traveling, and learning to play the violin.