Founder, President and CEO, Wilson Care Group
Shelley Wilson, founder, president, and CEO of Wilson Care Group, discovered the need for dependable, compassionate home care at the tender age of 18, when she was seriously injured in an accident. Tragedy became inspiration, and in 1996, at the age of 21, she started Wilson Homecare. Today, with more than 400 employees, Wilson Homecare is Hawaii’s largest private home healthcare service provider and Shelley is also the proud owner/administrator of Wilson Senior Living in Kailua, a new concept in residential senior care that 22 deserving Kapuna will soon call home. Wilson Senior Living and Wilson Homecare comprise the Wilson Care Group.
Shelley’s story is one of resilience, a can-do entrepreneurial spirit, and servitude. Less than two years into her career as an Army medic, she suffered multiple broken bones and life-threatening injuries in a severe automobile accident. Her recovery took nearly three years, during which she had many occasions to contemplate how beneficial it would be – for herself and her family – to have the help and support of professional homecare services. And so, with her own experience as inspiration, Shelley began drafting a blueprint for success that begins and ends with a phenomenal team of highly competent, compassionate caregivers.
Perhaps the best measure of this success is revealed in the numerous accolades bestowed on Shelley and her team by her business peers, including: Girl Scouts Woman of Distinction (2012), SMEI Distinguished Sales & Marketing – Entrepreneur of the Year Winner (2012), YWCA LeaderLuncheon Honoree (2012), Pacific Business News’ Business Leadership Hawaii Awards: Wilson Homecare, Best in Small Business Winner (2011); American Savings Bank Business Leader of the Year: Shelley Wilson, Finalist (2011); Pacific Business News’ “2011 Businesswoman of the Year” in the for-profit category, Wilson Homecare is ranked #5 in Hawaii’s “Top 25 Women-Owned Businesses in Hawaii,” Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame Laureate (2011); Small Business Administration’s “Small Business Person of the Year-Island of Oahu (2009),” Smart Business Hawaii “Smart Business Success All-Star Award (2009),” and Pacific Business News’ “40 Under Forty” (2003), where Shelley received a commendation from Governor Linda Lingle for her achievements. Wilson Homecare has been recognized five times as one of the “Fastest 50” companies and named five times in PBN’s “Top 25 Women-Owned Businesses in Hawaii.” And, in 2004, Wilson Homecare was recognized by Pat Summerall as an “Outstanding Small Business Award Winner.” This honor was published in Forbes magazine.
Shelley’s contributions to the community are equally noteworthy. She served as the 2010-2011 Chair for The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, and is the past chair of its Small Business and Health Issues Committees. In May 2011, Chaminade University added her to their Board of Regents. She is a Board Member of the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children, and the East-West Center Foundation. Recently, she was inducted into the Pacific Aviation Museum Board of Directors. She is also a member of the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, serving on the Advisory Panel for Homecare and Hospice, the Better Business Bureau of Hawaii, and was the 2007 President of the Organization of Women Leaders.
In addition to her local affiliations, Shelley has also participated in the global effort to aid underprivileged children. She traveled to Africa with Rotary International to help vaccinate children against polio, and to Vietnam with the “Kids Without Borders” humanitarian group.
Shelley Wilson understands how to turn adversity into opportunity and what it means to really care for others.
Email: shelley@wilsoncare.com