3rdPlus leadership team.
Cynthia Thurlow
Founder and Principal
Cynthia’s 30-year career in branding and advertising spans a multitude of industries, from high-end hospitality with Sunterra Resorts (today named Diamond Resorts) and its 50 worldwide locations to telecommunications, software, banking, nonprofits and medical systems. A partner in general-service agencies THREEam and GCDirect, she catered to clients such as T-Mobile USA, Microsoft, F5 Networks, Boeing Credit Union, Goodwill Industries and Pacific Medical Centers. Also, Cynthia has owned a casual but upscale bistro, Cafe Destino in Bremerton, Washington, where she also originated Bremerton’s first farmers market.
Her broad professional background translates well to the senior living industry, which requires technical expertise with food and beverage, hospitality, communications and creative, all driven forward by a powerful, engaging brand.
Cynthia takes a professional approach that consistently focuses on the positive, builds long-term relationships with clients and achieves success with brilliant creativity. A past president of the Seattle Direct Marketing Association, board committee member of the Puget Sound American Marketing Association, member of ALFA and LeadingAge, Cynthia rounds out her passions with organic gardening, art, cooking and her island home life with her husband and dog, Dr. Pickles.
Scott Daniels, CEC, CCA, AAC
Vice President, Culinary Operations
Scott has spent much of his 20+ year career at food services and facilities management company Sodexo, most recently as a District Manager, overseeing 18 retirement/acute/subacute account locations. He is passionate about putting his experience to work helping senior living communities to effectively self-operate—with a focus on training, coaching and fresh, local ingredients.
Scott’s credentials include an associate degree in Occupational Studies from the Culinary Institute of America (with Honors) and Culinary Federation’s Certified Executive Chef appointment in American Culinary. He also earned the Federation’s Certified Culinary Administrator appointment. He is an American Academy of Chefs fellow inductee and a graduate of Sodexo Senior Living “Leadership Academy.”
Scott enjoys organic gardening, providing a home for rescue dogs from all over the world, fishing, his home and, of course, cooking!
Derek Dujardin
Creative Director and Brand Strategist
Before joining 3rdPlus, Derek developed brands, concepts and messaging for a wide range of clients, including Nike, Starbucks, T-Mobile, Microsoft, F5 and Evergreen Health. He believes, “People buy stories, not products. In a crowded environment with multiple competing narratives, the best story usually wins.”
He knows a little about winning with more than 30 professional awards, ranging from Addys to Tellys, and even an Emmy. Furthermore, Derek is the creator of The MENding Monologues, a theatrical show devoted to ending gender violence. And he also directs an improv comedy troupe in Sedona, Arizona.
Diane Strathy
Vice President, Creative Services
Over her 35+ years in the advertising field, Diane worked at Nordstrom, Eddie Bauer and Foundation Design before coming to 3rdPlus in 2010. After years in fashion advertising, she loves making a difference in people’s lives through her work with the 3rdPlus team to modernize branding for seniors and help communities live their mission. Diane enjoys spending time with family, traveling, enjoying nature on the lake and walking with friends.
Michael Brooks
Director of Sales & Marketing/Community Sales Coach
Michael brings over 25 years of diverse expertise to his role, encompassing sales, small business development, executive recruiting and senior living sales coaching. He has served as a senior living sales counselor for nearly a decade, drawing from his extensive background in cultivating long-term relationships. Leading national sales efforts at 3rdPlus, Michael also coaches senior living community sales teams nationwide, specializing in empowering non-profit Life Plan and rental communities to achieve remarkable results.
Inspired by personal experiences aiding his parents in transitioning to a CCRC, Michael is deeply committed to the senior living sector’s mission. He enjoys helping senior communities understand ageism and what is important to the consumers of today and the next five to ten years. His tenure as Director of the Small Business Development Center at the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce further honed his skills in strategic planning and support for small businesses and non-profits. Since joining 3rdPlus in 2021, Michael has excelled in virtual sales and in coaching senior living sales departments across the country, leveraging his expertise to enhance communication strategies and drive community census growth. Michael is a licensed private pilot, enjoys traveling and is an avid gardener.
Maria Hagadorn
Director, Account Services
Maria is a seasoned professional with 20 years of sales, marketing and hospitality expertise. Her passion for the senior living industry is evident in her leadership roles, where she spearheaded corporate sales and marketing strategies as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for a group of 15 communities in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Her responsibilities covered all care levels for all communities, including new construction and acquisitions. Maria’s dedication to the industry also led her to serve as a senior leader in the design and operational task force for three new independent living communities. Her expertise in senior living was further demonstrated during her tenure as the Director of Sales and Philanthropy at a Methodist Continuing Care Retirement community with 550 residences. Here, she orchestrated a transformative shift in sales strategy, leaving an indelible mark on the community’s success. Before her deep dive into Aging Services Sales and Marketing, Maria’s career flourished in Strategic and Global Business Sales in the Supply Chain and Logistics industry for 11 years.
Maria enjoys cooking and playing board games with her family. She also loves strolling the aisles of antique stores and refinishing furniture.
Lina Munford
Digital Director and Web Designer
Jag älskar den digitala världen! If you know anyone Swedish, you know they understand beauty and quality, which is how the 3rdPlus Swede approaches websites and digital campaigns. Before finding her home at 3rdPlus, Lina spent 10 years in a variety of general agencies and worked on a wide range of accounts, including the Shoes & Jewelry Merchandise department at Amazon. Lina enjoys the creative process while applying her organizational and critical thinking skills within the ever-changing digital world. Fitting for a 3rdPlus creative, Lina is a passionate organic gardener, adores cooking and makes a mean strawberry-rhubarb jam. She loves spending time with her family and visiting her homeland every chance she gets.
Cheri Carl
Public Relations Director
Cheri is a passionate communications professional with deep skills in public relations, marketing, social media, crisis communications, creative problem solving and project management. She helped grow the Starbucks Coffee brand for 17 years and brings more than 30 years of experience to the team. Cheri manages public relations and social media for 3rdPlus and its senior living community clients. She loves to travel, walk, swim and geocache with her family.
Heather McCoy
Production Manager
Heather joined our team in 2023 as our Production Manager. She brings a wealth of experience with more than four years in healthcare marketing and nearly 15 years in printing, including roles in project management and client relations. Heather has a knack for understanding what clients need and delivering above and beyond. Whether she’s working with clients or overseeing production, she’s all about exceeding expectations and making sure things run smoothly. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her kids and partner, gardening, learning to fish and soaking up the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Schedule a Meeting.
Schedule a 30-minute meeting with us or call 888-776-5135 to learn more. We look forward to working with you!