Caring Senior Service names Liz Torres as its 2025 Caring Leader of the Year

Caring Senior Service recently named Liz Torres, agency director of its McAllen, Texas location, as its 2025 Caring Leader of the Year, recognizing her exceptional dedication and commitment to her clients.

Torres was selected through a blind vote by franchisees across the organization and was honored at the company’s annual conference earlier this month.

“Liz represents everything we strive to be as an organization,” said Jeff Salter, founder and CEO of Caring Senior Service. “She leads with conviction, puts clients first in every situation and never backs down when someone needs help. That mindset is what defines her as a leader. She sets a higher standard, challenges those around her to rise to it, and leads with a clear vision of what’s possible.”

Torres has spent more than 20 years at Caring Senior Service, building a culture centered on advocacy, accountability and compassion. As a GreatCare® Master, the company’s highest caregiver designation, she has earned a reputation for going above and beyond her duties to deliver exceptional client care.

Her leadership is reflected in numerous real-world examples, including:

• Advocating for life-saving care: After a long-time client experienced a minor fall and insisted he did not need medical care, Torres later pushed for a hospital visit. Doctors discovered he had an infected hernia that required surgery. When initial opinions advised against operating because of his age and condition, Torres pushed the medical team and sought additional input until a surgeon agreed to perform the life-saving procedure. The client has since fully recovered.

• Ensuring safe, clean living environments: In a case involving unsafe conditions due to hoarding, Torres coordinated with local officials before care began to ensure the home met safety standards for both the client and her caregivers. In another instance, Torres rallied her coworkers to volunteer their time to clean a potential client’s home after noticing unsafe, cluttered conditions during a routine consultation.

In nominating Torres, Andy Gillen, co-owner of Caring Senior Service in McAllen, said she always advocates for clients and coworkers and would win the award for “Most Likely to Refuse to Take No for an Answer When a Client Needs Help” if such a prize existed.

Under her leadership, Gillen said the McAllen office has delivered strong results and has built lasting client relationships. Additionally, the location’s employee retention is high because Torres fosters a culture where caregivers, clients and families are treated with respect.

“In an industry where the caregiver turnover rate can be as high as 79% annually, the stability we see in McAllen is a direct reflection of the culture Liz has helped build over the past 21 years,” Gillen said. “Her commitment to her clients, her team and doing what’s right in every situation is what makes her such an effective and inspiring leader.”