Rendever Appoints Nicole Will to Strengthen Care Ecosystem

Industry leader carries a new vision for the care economy, bringing technology, caregivers, and communities together to expand access to virtual reality (VR) solutions

Rendever, the leader in immersive technology for the aging population, today announces the appointment of Nicole Will as Head of Marketing and Partnerships. With over 20 years of experience in aging services, Will is driving a new era of connection and support for senior living operators, families, and caregivers. Through strategic partnerships and storytelling, Will will deliver Rendever’s cutting-edge VR technology to those who need it most, transforming the aging experience with empathy and innovation.

Will’s dedication to aging services is rooted in her own journey. At just 15 years old, Nicole Will stepped into the role of family caregiver, gaining an early understanding of the complexities and emotional realities that families face as loved ones age. That experience shaped the path she would follow, pursuing a degree in Human Services, Social Gerontology and dedicating more than two decades to the field of aging services. Starting in hands-on caregiving as a Registered Nursing Assistant, Will built her career from the front lines of care to leadership, eventually serving as a Director in senior living, giving her a deep understanding of the aging journey from both professional and personal perspectives. Since then, Will has created willGather, a platform that elevates and collaborates with thought leaders, caregivers, brands, and organizations in the aging services field to create meaningful change.

"Nicole’s arrival marks a pivotal moment for Rendever as we bridge the gap between cutting-edge innovation and the families who need it most," said Kyle Rand, Co-founder and CEO of Rendever. "Her deep clinical foundation and her heart for care align perfectly with our mission to overcome social isolation through shared experiences driven by empathy and compassion."

At Rendever, Will is responsible for expanding Rendever's Thrive at Home program and building vital partnerships with home care organizations, hospitals, healthcare centers, and family caregivers to bring immersive VR experiences to those aging in place.

"The light bulb moment for me was seeing the Rendever’s words in action and the teams’ genuine heart for the people they serve," said Will. "I wanted to be a part of that and to challenge the industry to rethink engagement. I’d like to see a world where we move away from an aging narrative defined by decline and loss, and move toward a future defined by curiosity and possibility."

Looking forward, Will envisions Rendever becoming an essential part of the social health continuum, where emotional well-being is recognized as being just as important as physical health. In addition to her role at Rendever, Will will continue to host her top-rated podcast, “Navigating the World with Your Aging Loved One”, and support Rendever through her extensive network. She also remains an Innovation, Medical and Science Advisor for Lorenzo’s House.

A Heart for Connection: A Q&A with Nicole Will, Rendever’s New Head of Marketing & Partnerships

Welcome to the Rendever team! As the lead for Strategic Partnerships & Marketing, tell us about your role and what goals you have for working with Rendever?

Thank you! I am so excited to be here! My primary goal is to ensure that everyone in aging services has the opportunity to access Rendever and the life-changing services it provides. To me, this role is a blend of relationships, partnerships and storytelling. I’m constantly asking: How do we share Rendever in a way that truly touches hearts and minds?

On a day-to-day basis, I’m working to deepen our story by highlighting our real-world impact. A large part of my focus right now is working with our new NIH grant, to deliver the Thrive at Home initiative, and building relationships with home care organizations, caregivers and families to ensure our research studies don’t just exist on paper, but truly thrive in practice. Ultimately, I’m here to encourage people to join our mission of bridging the gap through evidence-based, immersive technology.

What was the specific "lightbulb moment" that made you decide to join Rendever?

It really came down to alignment. I first met Kyle (Rendever’s Co-founder and CEO) when he was a guest on my podcast, and even after I'd interviewed over 200 guests, that interaction stuck with me. I saw that his heart is always in total alignment with his actions.

Whether at industry conferences or the Care Sanctuary at SXSW, I saw a team that doesn't just talk about care; they live it wholeheartedly. Seeing how the organization works with meaningful partners and witnessing the consistency of their mission made me realize that joining Rendever full-time was the culmination of my own journey.

Does your background in Social Gerontology influence how you approach marketing and partnerships? If so, how?

Absolutely. I believe our past experiences always shape our current roles in ways we might not expect. My path in aging services started early, having my grandmother live with us and becoming a family caregiver myself, which led me to study gerontology and build a clinical foundation in transitional care. I began my professional career as a Registered Nursing Assistant and worked my way up to Director in senior living.

Because of those years spent sitting with families and learning about their uncertainties, I don’t approach marketing as persuasion. Instead, I see it as an opportunity to translate a vision. It’s about understanding what communities actually need rather than assuming. My background allows me to bring an evidence-based foundation to our storytelling, ensuring we address what is truly meaningful to our partners.

How does your experience in senior living communities help you understand the daily pain points of Rendever’s partners?

I’ve worn many hats as a registered nursing assistant, a therapeutic recreation specialist and a director of a community. I’ve lived those daily challenges.

At this stage of my life, it feels like all those roles are converging. I understand that the care economy shouldn't be siloed; senior living should be a hub of support for families, not just a place people turn to in a crisis. Because I’ve been in their shoes, I can better empathize with them and position Rendever as a guide that supports the workforce and helps staff provide more creative engagement.

What kind of change are you hoping to enact through your work with Rendever?

I want to challenge the industry to rethink engagement. We shouldn't limit ourselves to "what has always been done". I want to help shift the perception of aging away from a narrative of loss, sadness, and decline and reframe it around joy, curiosity and possibility.

I would also love to see the care team expanded to include families as a meaningful part of the engagement process. By using Rendever as a vehicle for connection, we can help people form deeper relationships with their loved ones, asking the big questions, and experiencing life together, regardless of physical limitations.

Your podcast, Navigating the World with Your Aging Loved One, has featured hundreds of conversations with industry thought leaders. Over the years, what themes have emerged that shape your priorities today?

Good question! A consistent theme I notice is the need for senior living to be a resource or guide for families. People often feel that connection becomes out of reach when a loved one enters care, but Rendever proves that it doesn't have to be.

Another major recurring theme is the power of empathy. With our Dementia and Empathy Training, we have a unique opportunity to sit in vulnerable moments that others might never witness. It’s a reminder that we aren't just serving senior living; we are integrated with hospices, hospitals and NGOs.

On that note, I am continuing the podcast because it’s a vital platform for personal stories to be shared and helps me stay connected to the network I’ve built to support Rendever’s growth.

Looking back five years from now, what would success look like for you?

Success is Rendever being an essential part of the social health continuum. I want us to be in every community, hospital and hospice to support well-being, mental health and pain management and bring families together in very special moments.

Five years from now, I hope society has reframed its view of aging to reduce the negative stigmas often associated with it and be replaced by compassion and empathy, especially for those living with dementia. Success means no one is lonely or isolated because connection is baked into every caregiving experience.

What types of organizations are you most excited to collaborate with?

I’m incredibly excited to work with partners who want to share their own stories of innovation. I love collaborating with teams who are focused on the impact of their world and the why behind what they do.

What is your favorite virtual reality Rendever experience?

Oh, I love the "risk-taking" aspect of VR. It allows me to do the things I can’t or wouldn't do in real life, since I’m not much a risk-taker in that sense! So, anything involving heights or adrenaline, like skydiving or the hot air balloon experience, is a favorite for me. I also love the underwater ocean experiences like swimming with the dolphins and seeing the coral reefs.

What are you most excited about right now?

I’m excited about our ability to step into culturally relevant moments and deliver them directly to seniors to keep them connected to the world as much as possible. For instance, capturing the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl victory parade and bringing that experience to residents the very next day was so thrilling.

There’s a common misconception that as you age, you naturally become disconnected from the world. It’s not a lack of interest; it’s a change in situation. Rendever challenges that norm, ensuring that everyone, regardless of age, stays engaged with the world around them.

About Rendever

Rendever is overcoming social isolation and improving care through the power of virtual reality and shared experiences. From senior living communities to hospitals, the platform is being used to reduce depression and loneliness by fostering personal connections among populations where life has become limited. Participants in group sessions can check off bucket list items together, revisit meaningful places and share stories, stay engaged with family members, and more. Rendever is being used by high-profile senior living operators, including Oakmont Management Group, Marquis Health, and MBK Senior Living, healthcare systems such as UCHealth and Cleveland Clinic, has research funded by the NIH and NIA, and has launched commercial partnerships with major organizations like AARP and Verizon. Rendever is a four-time Inc. 5000 honoree, a two-time TIME Best Invention winner, and a TIME100 Most Influential Company. To learn more, please visit www.rendever.com.

Media Contact

Erica Torres

Uproar by Moburst for Rendever

erica.torres@moburst.com