Samantha Lavin
Founder
As a Gen Xer living 3,000 miles from my 85-year-old mom with cognitive decline I experienced the guilt, sadness and frustration of being powerless to give her the full life she deserves. No one prepared me for what became an immense responsibility. It was from that place I drew the inspiration to start The Koda Collective.
My experience as a Writer, Director and Assistant Director on large film sets over the years has given me a combination of team building, problem solving, scheduling as well as creative skills to build a uniquely effective brand which will identify and deliver the specialized services and curated team needed to consistently enhance the lives of our elders and in turn, everyone around them.
Our Mission
The Koda Collective was born from a simple yet profound observation: while Los Angeles is a city brimming with cultural wonders, many of our elders face these enriching experiences alone or not at all. Some of them are artists themselves or have contributed to our culture in other meaningful ways. L.A. and many other culture rich cities struggle to sustain the arts community with flexible jobs that pay a decent wage. We saw an opportunity to bridge this gap, not with clinical care, but with artisanal companionship that prioritizes intellectual curiosity and shared joy.
Our mission is to redefine senior lifestyle management by pairing older adults with local artists and arts enthusiasts. This unique pairing creates a synergy where stories are exchanged, experience is shared and new cultural memories are forged, ensuring that every Koda member feels seen, heard, and connected to the vibrant pulse of their city.