Published August 31, 2026

When Beverly Ito joined Keiro in 1974, she never imagined the path ahead would lead her to become the president and CEO. From pharmacy intern at City View Hospital to administrator of Keiro Intermediate Care Facility and eventually leading the organization through its next chapter, her nearly 50-year career was defined by a deep commitment to the people and mission of Keiro. Each step was guided by unwavering respect for Keiro’s founders and a drive to preserve their legacy. Little did she know that by doing so, she was leaving a lasting impact of her own.

The transition to president and CEO was challenging at first — shifting from facility-based care to community-based programs required a change in perspective and a willingness to step outside her comfort zone. Yet, there was one constant that remained the same: “What kept me going was feeling as though the residents, staff, and volunteers were all a part of my family, and I had to keep us together. And that still stands true today.”

“If we keep the founders’ vision in sight, no matter who is driving the car, they will know where we are supposed to be.”
– Beverly Ito

The Keiro Difference

The 2016 sale of Keiro’s former facilities marked one of the most significant transitions in the organization’s history. Since Beverly continued working at the Sakura Intermediate Care Facility until its closure in 2021, she faced a constant balance between public assumptions and reality. “Especially post-sale, under new ownership, I really wanted to preserve what we called ‘The Keiro Difference.’ It was care that was centered on compassion and deep connections with family members, volunteers, and staff.” 

Her proudest moments as president and CEO include discovering new approaches to healthy living through
Keiro’s Genki Living Workshops and establishing Keiro Kikyo Home. She looks forward to seeing how Keiro Kikyo Home will grow and views this project as a full-circle moment to where Keiro began in 1961. Looking back, she shared, “The biggest lesson I learned was resilience. The most important thing was knowing that I could get through the challenge no matter what.”

Preserving the Legacy

As Beverly prepares to retire at the end of 2026, she is focusing on ensuring a thoughtful transition to Keiro’s next chapter. She hopes future leaders will continue building on Keiro’s foundation while finding new ways to serve the evolving needs of Our Community.

“I think what I would really want to be remembered for is that I did the best I could to preserve the legacy of our founders and really connect with and take care of the people that I was surrounded by. I would like to be remembered as someone who not only did the talking but also did the walking,” Beverly shared. 

By following the example of Keiro’s founders, she is honored to have been one of the driving forces behind the creation of Keiro’s roadmap for the 70th anniversary and beyond.