Chicago – September 16, 2026 -- Ziegler, a specialty investment bank, has appointed Michele Saunders as Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for its Senior Housing & Care Finance Practice, bringing more than 20 years of healthcare and senior living experience to the firm.
Saunders joins with a track record spanning growth, sales and marketing leadership in senior living and healthcare
Prior to Ziegler, Saunders served as Chief Growth Officer at Go Icon, an engagement software company, and spent nearly 11 years with HealthPRO Heritage, a former Link-age Fund portfolio company. A trained physical therapist, she also has AgeTech experience, most recently with AI startup Meela.
New role targets expansion of strategic partnerships supporting M&A, development and refinancing
In her new position, Saunders will focus on expanding Ziegler's strategic partnerships and connecting organizations with the firm's expertise as they navigate mergers and acquisitions, new development, refinancing and other strategic initiatives.
"I have long admired Ziegler's culture, expertise and deep commitment to senior living," Saunders said, adding that she aims to connect clients with the right expertise for long-term decision-making.
Ziegler's Senior Housing & Care Finance leadership cites her relationship-focused approach
Dan Revie, Senior Managing Director and Practice Head of Senior Housing & Care Finance at Ziegler, said Saunders' extensive healthcare and senior living experience, along with her relationship-focused approach, will support the firm's continued expansion across the sector.