Jaime Roberts

Feb 16

Who is Jaime Roberts?

Jaime Roberts is a dynamic leader, author, and advocate dedicated to improving the lives of older adults and their families. As the CEO of Arizona LeadingAge, Jaime spearheads advocacy, education, and support initiatives for mission-driven senior living providers across the state. With a career rooted in senior living leadership, she is also the founder of The Help Project, a resource designed to guide families in creating quality care roadmaps for their aging loved ones in under 99 minutes.

Jaime is the author of The Third Rail: A Difficult Conversation About Aging in America, a thought-provoking exploration of the challenges facing an aging society inspired by the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic. She is a licensed dementia trainer and consultant, a licensed nursing home administrator, and a licensed assisted living manager, bringing a wealth of expertise to her work.

Above all, Jaime is a dedicated mother, lifelong learner, and passionate advocate for compassionate care, personal growth, and meaningful connections.

Please briefly summarize your life's journey, highlighting the significant chapters and pivotal moments.

About ten years ago, I went through a difficult divorce while raising two young children. Navigating co-parenting has remained challenging, but from that moment on, I made it my mission to show up for my daughters every day, determined to help them learn from my experiences and avoid the mistakes I’ve made. I’ve never been afraid of hard work, and that resilience has carried me through some of the most challenging times in my life.

Professionally, I’ve dedicated my career to working with older adults. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I wrote The Third Rail: A Difficult Conversation About Aging in America, which explores the complexities of aging in our society. Inspired by the book, I founded The Help Project—a resource designed to help families create a comprehensive care roadmap for their aging loved ones in less than 99 minutes.

Currently, I serve as the CEO of Arizona LeadingAge, a mission-driven association representing senior living providers. Our organization focuses on advocacy, education, and supporting the senior living industry and the broader community. Before this role, I held executive positions in senior living, gaining extensive leadership experience.

I am a published author, a licensed dementia trainer and consultant, a licensed nursing home administrator, and a licensed assisted living manager. My passion lies in empowering families and professionals to navigate the aging journey with confidence, compassion, and clarity.

How many children do you have, and what are their ages?

I have two amazing daughters Raya is almost 15 and Tabitha is 11

What were some of the challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?

I've faced a variety of challenges, both personally and professionally. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that life isn’t always fair, and it can be incredibly hard. But I’ve also discovered that when you focus on what truly matters to you—not what the world expects or values—you become more resilient and grounded. That focus has been a powerful anchor for me during difficult times. I’m definitely still a student of life, always learning and growing. One of the most important lessons has been understanding how to have a healthy relationship with myself and others. My daughters are, without question, my greatest gift and teachers. I never knew it was possible to love so deeply, and through that love, I’ve learned more about patience, vulnerability, and strength than I ever thought possible. I’ve also grown from the disappointing relationships in my life. Rather than letting them define me, I’ve used those experiences to better understand who I am, what I value, and how I show up. I’ve realized that it’s not just about what happens to you—it’s about how you respond. So, every day, I work on showing up with intention, authenticity, and a commitment to becoming the best version of myself. I try to keep my head where my feet are, which seems to be the best medicine.

What lessons did you learn about yourself throughout your journey?

Oh gosh, I’m definitely still learning—growth is an ongoing journey. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned about myself is how powerful the ego can be and how difficult it is to let go of old stories we tell ourselves. But the beauty is that new, healthier stories are always available if we’re willing to create them. My best friend and partner has been instrumental in teaching me the importance of having an emotional vocabulary. That lesson was transformative for me—learning not just to feel emotions but to name them and understand them. My daughters, naturally much better at this, have been my daily reminders and teachers in this area. I work on it with them all the time because I believe that when you can identify what you’re feeling and why, you’re giving yourself an incredible gift. Another profound lesson I’ve learned is that allowing others to dictate how you should feel or think often leads to poor decisions as an adult. Owning your emotions and understanding their roots creates clarity and resilience. That’s been one of the most important lessons in my journey—learning to trust myself, honor my feelings, and stay connected to myself.

What motivates you to keep going during difficult times?

100% my daughters

How have you been able to prioritize your passion, purpose, and well-being alongside motherhood?

I am not sure, I try. I guess time will tell :-)

How do you define self-care and what does it look like for you?

I wake up at 4:45 am, do two loads of laundry, and exercise before the day starts. Over the past few years, I have learned to be more gentle with myself and allow myself time to recharge and sleep. Sleep has become my self-care :-).

Was there a time when you weren't aligned with your purpose or balancing yourself alongside motherhood?

YES! Learning how to parent at different ages and balance that work with my work can be hard.

What changes needed to be made in your life to allow you to live a life where you feel fulfilled?

Most of the changes are all in my head. It's a mindset shift. Once you visualize what you want and who you want to be you just have to make your next decision/step with that vision in mind.

Share a moment of MOM GUILT, and what you do to manage it? (If applicable)

As a single mom, I feel it—sometimes more than I’d like to admit and for various reasons. I feel it when I miss school events because of work commitments, when I’m not part of the group of moms who always seem to be present for every activity, or when I’m not the “Johnny-on-the-spot” volunteer. I’m not a PTA mom, and balancing the demands of being a single, working mom—especially with a demanding career—often comes with its fair share of guilt. I worry that my kids might miss out on specific social experiences because I can’t always be as involved as I’d like. How do I manage it? Honestly, I’m not sure I manage it perfectly—but it is what it is. I know that at the end of the day, I have two truly exceptional kids. They are resilient, kind, and thriving. And if the biggest challenge they face is having a mom who couldn’t make it to every school event, then I’d say they’re pretty lucky. I focus on what matters—showing up for them in the ways that count the most, even if it doesn’t always look picture-perfect.

What's your greatest Mom Hack that you have learned thus far in your motherhood journey?

Saying I am sorry to my kids if I mess up. But I really want to know who is good at finding the extra socks from the laundry!!

Why do you think it's important for women to share their journeys and inspire other women?

I think it's important so you know you're not alone, and although everyone has a different path, we need each other. There is power in that kind of connection.

What is one lesson or piece of advice you would like the community to learn from you?

If your shoes match, you're killing it!

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Andrea Hecht

Jaime Roberts

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