At Transforming Age, our communities are shaped by leaders who bring passion, purpose, and a deep commitment to the people they serve. Through our Executive Director Spotlight Series, we’re introducing the individuals whose leadership helps create vibrant communities where residents, families, and team members can thrive.
This week, we’re proud to feature Cleitus Jones, Executive Director of AlmaVia of San Francisco. For Cleitus, senior living is more than a profession. It’s a calling that grew from humble beginnings, a determination to keep learning, and a lifelong commitment to improving the lives of older adults.
Cleitus’s journey into senior living began with a simple goal: get a foot in the door.
Like many leaders in the field, he didn’t start in an executive office. His first role was in a skilled nursing facility, helping residents with everyday needs, including supervising designated smoking areas to ensure resident safety. While the work may have seemed modest, it gave him something invaluable: the opportunity to build relationships with residents and see senior living through their eyes.
As he spent more time with residents, he began to understand not only their needs and challenges, but also how every department contributes to the overall resident experience. Those early experiences gave him a unique perspective and sparked a desire to learn more about the industry.
That curiosity led him to a position as a social worker in skilled nursing, where he gained exposure to nearly every aspect of community operations. He worked closely with residents, families, and care teams, learning how to navigate complex situations, communicate effectively during difficult moments, and advocate for the people entrusted to the community’s care.
As his responsibilities grew, so did his understanding of the senior living profession. He expanded his knowledge into financial and insurance processes, developing a broader view of community operations and how every department works together to support residents.
Eventually, Cleitus was promoted to Director of Social Services, his first opportunity to lead a department. It was a role that allowed him to leave his mark, implement meaningful improvements, and mentor others entering the field.
“I realized I enjoyed helping people succeed,” he shared. “Being able to guide team members and give them the perspective they needed to grow was incredibly rewarding.”
As his leadership journey continued, a colleague encouraged him to consider becoming a licensed administrator. The idea resonated with him because it aligned with a growing belief: if he wanted to make an even greater impact on the lives of seniors, he needed to expand his leadership role.
He completed the rigorous administrator-in-training program, spending more than 1,000 hours under the mentorship of a licensed administrator in Walnut Creek. Much of that training occurred during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, an experience that tested leaders across healthcare and senior living like never before.
For Cleitus, those challenging years became some of the most formative of his career.
He learned firsthand how to respond during health crises, communicate transparently with residents and families, and lead teams through uncertainty. It reinforced his belief that adversity often becomes the greatest teacher.
“I’m a firm believer that people learn the most when they’re put to the test,” he says. “Those experiences still influence how I lead today.”
After earning his administrator license through state and federal examinations, Cleitus accepted a position leading a skilled nursing community in Richmond. The building faced significant challenges, but he embraced the opportunity. Over the next two and a half years, he helped improve operations, strengthen performance, and position the community for long-term success.
When an opportunity became available at AlmaVia of San Francisco, Cleitus knew it was where he wanted to be.
What makes his story especially meaningful is his connection to the community itself. Cleitus grew up in the neighborhood surrounding AlmaVia, attended local schools, and built many of the relationships that continue to shape his life today.
In fact, some of his former elementary school teachers eventually became residents.
“It’s a full-circle moment,” he reflects. “I now have the opportunity to give back to people and a community that helped shape who I am.”
For Cleitus, serving at AlmaVia of San Francisco is more than a job title. It’s an opportunity to invest in the community he loves and contribute to a place that holds deep personal significance.
That dedication to people and relationships aligns closely with the Transforming Age values that guide his leadership style every day.
Of all the organization’s values, collaboration stands out most to him.
When it comes to creating great outcomes for residents, Cleitus believes success requires everyone’s involvement. Team members, families, healthcare providers, and residents themselves all play a role in creating the best possible experience.
“We’re all one team,” he says. “Providing great care requires all hands on deck.”
That collaborative spirit is also a key part of how he views Transforming Age’s Culture of Excellence. Rather than focusing solely on processes or outcomes, he believes excellence is built through teamwork, communication, and a shared commitment to doing what’s best for residents.
The relationships that develop along the way are what he finds most rewarding.
Over time, he has seen residents settle into community life, families gain confidence and trust, and team members grow into leaders. Often, families arrive with understandable concerns or uncertainty. But when they witness the dedication and care provided by the team, those relationships begin to change.
Trust grows.
Communication becomes more open.
Partnerships become stronger.
“When families recognize the effort and care our teams provide, it changes the relationship,” Cleitus explains. “It creates trust and makes it easier to work together, even when challenges arise.”
For him, that trust is one of the most important ingredients in creating a successful community.
Outside of work, Cleitus enjoys spending time with his family and supporting his children through their many school activities. Much of his free time is spent driving them to events, practices, and commitments, something he jokingly describes as his second job.
When he has a chance to recharge, you’ll often find him staying active through bike rides, playing basketball with friends, or coaching youth basketball for children ages 5 through 12.
Coaching allows him to continue doing what he loves most: helping others learn, grow, and reach their potential.
As residents, families, and team members get to know Cleitus, there is one message he hopes they remember above all else: his door is always open.
He believes that the strongest communities are built on honest, direct communication and meaningful relationships. While emails have their place, Cleitus prefers face-to-face conversations whenever possible, believing they foster understanding, trust, and stronger connections.
“Communication is at the forefront for me,” he says. “It’s the best way to resolve challenges, build relationships, and move forward together.”
That commitment to listening, collaborating, and leading with authenticity continues to shape his impact at AlmaVia of San Francisco. Rooted in the community he calls home and dedicated to serving those around him, Cleitus brings a leadership style grounded in trust, service, and a genuine desire to make a difference.
Visit AlmaVia of San Francisco
The best way to experience AlmaVia of San Francisco is to visit and see the community for yourself. We invite you to meet Cleitus and the team, explore the campus, and discover the welcoming environment that residents and families have come to trust.
Whether you’re exploring senior living options for yourself, helping a loved one navigate their next chapter, or simply learning more about the services available, AlmaVia of San Francisco offers a caring and supportive community focused on connection, dignity, and purposeful living.
Learn More About AlmaVia of San Francisco
📍 Community Website: Click Here
📞 Phone: (415) 687-3828
🏡 Address: 1 Thomas More Way, San Francisco, CA 94132
🏡 Living Options Available:
Schedule a tour today and discover how AlmaVia of San Francisco is helping older adults live with confidence, purpose, and belonging while remaining connected to the community they love.
