meet the team.
Meet roger
owner & CEO
H. Roger Mali is an accomplished healthcare executive and attorney with over two decades of experience in operational leadership, financial restructuring, and strategic advisory services. As Founder and CEO of Elevate North Group, Roger leads a premier healthcare consulting firm specializing in acquisitions, turnaround management, insolvency planning, operations improvement, census and occupancy development and revenue cycle optimization. His expertise spans all major healthcare sectors, including skilled nursing, hospitals, behavioral health, hospice, and home health, as well as insurance and network systems.
Previously, Roger served as Owner and Managing Director of a skilled nursing and assisted living focused business, where he transformed a five-person startup into a multi-state enterprise operating 30 facilities and employing more than 2,900 team members. Under his leadership, this company went through a complex turnaround, in which Roger restructured over $170 million in debt and equity, and successfully recapitalized the company. Roger exited from his majority and controlling interest in 2022. Roger also spearheaded new facility construction and development, regulatory compliance programs, and innovative reimbursement strategies that maximized Medicaid and Medicare revenue.
Before entering healthcare operations, Roger practiced law as a Partner at Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP, specializing in real estate, bankruptcy, and corporate restructuring. He represented lenders, borrowers, and multi-tiered companies in complex transactions, workouts, and global bankruptcies. His legal foundation, combined with operational expertise, positions him uniquely to navigate the intersection of healthcare, finance, and compliance.
Roger holds a J.D. cum laude from Wayne State University Law School and a B.A. from Bowdoin College. He is actively engaged in industry leadership, and previously served on Michigan’s Nursing Home COVID-19 Task Force and has had several speaking engagements at national healthcare conferences. His career reflects a consistent ability to stabilize distressed assets, drive growth, and deliver sustainable value for stakeholders.
Meet kushant
director of finance
With more than two decades immersed in the healthcare landscape, Kushant Shah seamlessly fuses clinical expertise with financial strategy. As a licensed PT, DPT, GCS, and an MBA in Finance graduate, he offers a powerful dual perspective that’s rare in the industry.
His career is marked by transformative leadership—driving operational efficiency, enhancing financial systems, and guiding strategic initiatives that deliver measurable impact. Kushant’s ability to connect front-line care with back-end performance has made him a catalyst for sustainable growth and innovation in healthcare finance.
Meet liesel
director of marketing & Brand Management
Liesel Ryan is a marketing and brand strategy professional with more than 20 years of experience supporting organizations in both the hospitality and healthcare industries. Her background includes developing and executing web design, digital marketing strategies, and social media campaigns that strengthen brand visibility and engagement for service-driven organizations.
Liesel has held marketing leadership roles in the long-term care sector with Mission Point Healthcare and Prestige Healthcare Management / Hypercare, supporting brands such as MediLodge and The Arbor’s. In these roles, she led integrated marketing initiatives across multiple facilities and markets, focusing on digital presence, reputation management, and community engagement.
In addition to her work in healthcare, Liesel has significant experience in the recreational and hospitality industries, bringing a strong understanding of guest experience, brand presentation, and customer-focused marketing strategies.
Outside of work, Liesel enjoys fishing, cooking, and is an avid sports fan.
Meet vincent
director of human resources
Vincent Reynolds serves as a Director of New Center Management, where he oversees Human Resources operations with a focus on talent acquisition, retention, compiance, labor management, and organizational culture. He is known for building strong, trust-based relationships between employees and leadership, emphasizing transparency and integrity as the foundation of a successful workplace.
With nearly 15 years of experience in healthcare, Vincent’s career has progressed through a variety of operational and administrative roles. He began as a Maintenance Technician and advanced through positions including Area Engineering Coordinator, Clinical Scheduler, and Human Resources Specialist, gaining a well-rounded understanding of facility operations and team dynamics.
Vincent has led Human Resources functions across multiple skilled nursing facilities, supporting large-scale operations while maintaining a strong focus on employee engagement and retention. He is currently continuing his professional development through coursework at Michigan State University as he works toward becoming a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, further strengthening his commitment to leadership and operational excellence in long-term care.
Meet jessica
director of business development
Jessica Brantley is a Regional Director of Business Development with a strong focus on driving growth and expanding strategic partnerships within the healthcare industry. She leads business development efforts across multiple facilities, specializing in referral development, census growth, and market expansion.
Jessica is known for her relationship-driven approach, working closely with hospitals, physicians, and community partners to increase admissions and improve patient access to quality care. Her ability to analyze trends, optimize referral pipelines, and implement effective outreach strategies has consistently delivered measurable results.
She is committed to operational excellence, patient satisfaction, and building sustainable growth across the regions she serves.
Meet leigh
nursing home administrator
Leigh McLeod is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Nursing Home Administrator with extensive experience in senior care across both New Zealand and the United States. Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to providing high-quality, compassionate care to residents in long-term care settings, bringing a global perspective and strong clinical background to her leadership.
Leigh is deeply committed to advocating for seniors and ensuring they receive the highest standard of care. Her approach is centered on dignity, respect, and personalized attention, with a focus on creating a supportive environment for both residents and staff. She is passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of those she serves and continually strives to elevate the quality of care within her community.
Meet don
nursing home administrator
Donald Barton serves as Administrator of Lafayette Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, where he oversees daily operations including staff leadership, regulatory compliance, financial performance, and quality of care. He is a skilled leader known for driving operational efficiency while maintaining a strong focus on resident-centered outcomes.
With more than 35 years of experience in healthcare, Donald’s career has progressed through a wide range of clinical and administrative roles. He began as a certified nursing assistant, later earning his nursing license and becoming wound care certified before advancing into nursing home administration. This diverse background provides him with a well-rounded understanding of long-term care operations.
Donald brings over a decade of experience as a Nursing Home Administrator, with a proven track record in staff management, regulatory compliance, and improving care standards. He is committed to fostering a positive environment for residents, families, and team members, and is passionate about building collaborative teams focused on delivering high-quality, person-centered care.