Ellie Kirke knows a thing or two about emotional milestones. As a former bridal stylist at Kleinfeld Bridal and series regular on Say Yes to the Dress, she spent years helping women find their perfect gown. Today, she’s the Community Sales Director at Coterie Hudson Yards, a New York City Atria community where she brings empathy and care to helping families find ideal senior living solutions.
When fashion meets purpose
Kirke’s career began in luxury fashion, where she thrived for more than a decade. But a growing desire to make a deeper impact led her in a new direction.
“I started to really feel that I was ready for a change in my life,” she recalls. “My heart drew me to helping older adults.”
She began working with new senior living developments and soon realized her skills translated seamlessly. “Both opportunities involve entering someone’s life during a life-changing decision,” she explains. “They’re very emotionally charged and often involve a lot of differing opinions. I try to help shepherd all these different opinions from people who ultimately want the best outcome – whether it’s finding a gown that’s going to empower a woman to feel her most beautiful or supporting a family in their journey to find the next best home for a loved one.”
Skills that transfer beautifully
Ellie credits her time in bridal fashion for sharpening the skills she now relies on daily. “Working in bridal prepared me to be an incredibly active listener,” she says. “It allowed me to understand how to ask the right questions.”
That skill is crucial when guiding families through important life decisions. “When someone’s on the fence, either with a dress or an apartment, I think it goes back to having really listened.” Ellie emphasizes that active listening has been a critical element of her success.
Where passion and purpose meet
Ellie’s love for older adults began in childhood, when she performed piano recitals at her grandmother’s skilled nursing facility. She carries that passion with her every day in her current role.
For Ellie, the joy of her work goes far beyond the sales process – it’s rooted in the everyday relationships she builds with residents. “I look at these residents like an extension of my family,” she says.
Those connections show up when helping families make big decisions, as well as in more lighthearted ways. “There are residents who come up to me every day and tell me everything they love about what I’m wearing – and everything they absolutely hate about what I’m wearing,” she laughs. “That brings me so much joy.”
Whether she’s helping someone transition into their new apartment or sharing a moment of laughter in the hallway, Ellie treasures the friendships she’s formed at Coterie. “Something that brings residents joy is getting to see all of us and chat with us – I love it,” she says.
It’s a daily reminder that community and care are at the forefront of senior living. And Ellie wouldn’t have it any other way.
When work doesn’t feel like work
In her current position, Ellie combines her professional background and skillset with a mission-driven purpose. “It’s not just a product. It’s not just a service. It’s so much more. To be able to truly represent the best of what senior living should be – it’s something I feel so lucky to do,” she says. “I hope this is what I get to do for the rest of my career.”
Ready for a career that fits?
Ellie’s journey shows how the most successful careers aren’t always linear – but the best ones are deeply meaningful. Whether you’re transitioning from another industry or growing within senior living, discover opportunities across the US and Canada where your unique skills can make a real difference.