From her first summer job at the front desk of Atria on Roslyn Harbor to leading one of Atria’s most iconic communities, Andie Bazelais’s journey reflects a passion for serving older adults that runs in the family.
“I had just graduated high school, and my mom – Linda Petrillo, who’s a Regional Culinary Director with Atria – told me to get a summer job. So, I did!” Andie says with a smile.
An Atria-grown career
Her first role at Roslyn Harbor was greeting visitors at the front desk – an experience that sparked a lasting passion for creating warm, welcoming spaces for older adults. It was a meaningful introduction to senior living, and one she was eager to build on through new roles and experiences.
During college breaks, she returned to the community as a server, later became an Engage Life Program Instructor, and eventually took on an Administrative Assistant role at Atria Cutter Mill while earning her master’s in psychology.
Along the way, Atria became more than just a place to work. It became the backdrop for some of life’s most important milestones. She met her husband, James, at Atria Roslyn Harbor. Her mom has worked for Atria for years. And when Andie left the company, she found herself coming back – not once, but twice.
Why West 86 feels like home
“The people brought me back,” she says. “The systems, the structure, the support – no one does it like Atria. Here, the support is just different. When you call, someone says, ‘We’ve seen this before. We’ve got it.’”
That support helped Andie grow. After time in HR, a stint at a tech startup, and even a season at Ross Dress for Less, she returned to Atria again – this time as a Community Business Director at Atria Woodlands. From there, she was offered the leadership role at Atria West 86, the community she now leads as Executive Director.
“This building is home to me,” she says. “I drive an hour and a half each way, and I still look forward to it. The pace here – it’s my thing. The second you walk in, you feel this energy. Residents are smiling, staff are engaged. You can’t fake that. It’s real.”
The importance of recognition
One of her favorite moments captures what she loves about Atria: the day the café at West 86 was named after longtime server Mr. Evans. “He was here for 15 years, and we threw him a retirement party and a naming ceremony. Our CEO knows him by name. That’s Atria. We matter, and our impact matters.”
Today, as Executive Director, Andie treasures the lessons she has gleaned from her winding journey. “When staff are happy, everything else falls into place,” she says. “Resident experience, teamwork, culture – it all flows from there.”
Come see firsthand
From that first summer job to leading a flagship Manhattan community, Andie’s story is proof that when you find your people, you find your purpose.