We are a group of passionate creators combining our love of building with our love of people.
Our "front door" approach and emphasis on lifestyle means that we operate on the cutting edge of development.
We inspire forward thinking and work with individuals motivated to make a lasting impact on our communities.
Tim Nichols is the Chief Executive Office of Lifestyle Communities, a company viewed as an iconic leader in finance and development located in Minnesota. As CEO, Tim founded and fosters the growth of Lifestyle Communities’, the industry’s most well-rounded and most knowledgeable leader in cooperative housing in the Midwest. Since starting his career in real estate, finance, and development in 1989, Tim has owned and operated several successful financial and development companies specializing in multi-family housing with an acute focus on cooperatives. Tim has developed or financed projects spanning all ends of the Twins Cities market, including several projects in greater Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. In total Tim has worked on more than $2 billion in multi-family housing projects serving as lender, developer, or master developer.
Named to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’s “40 under 40,” Tim continues to be the passion behind Lifestyle Communities endeavors and is held in high esteem by employees, peers and partners alike. Tim received his B.S. from Arizona State University School of Business in Real Estate Finance and Real Estate Development. Tim has previously served on numerous subcommittees with Mortgage Bankers Association both nationally and locally in Minnesota and Arizona. Tim has also served as President of the Apollo Club and the Apollo Foundations where he remains a proud member.
As President of Lifestyle Communities, Dena brings her deep connections to both the people side and business side of development, construction, marketing, sales and management of the active adult and senior living continuum.
Dena is leading the evolution of Lifestyle Communities as it continues impressive growth including recognition as an award-winning industry leader.
Dena’s moxie in the private sector started in the late 1990’s. Her hard work and determination made her a recognized leader at one of the country's largest not-for profit senior housing providers. From this more than decade long experience, Dena honed in on her strengths which include creating dynamic, unique communities, defining market opportunity, positioning the product, marketing it to the consumer and forging relationships with peers and consumers along the way. Dena perfected her ability to blend the best of the private and public sectors of the industry. Dena has also developed an acute understanding of the dynamics of the wants and needs of baby boomers through the more senior aging population.
Dena is recognized in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journals 2016 “40 under 40” list of business and community leaders as one of the state’s “leading developers and marketers of senior housing”. She is a fellow of the prestigious national Larry Minnix Leadership Academy- Leading Age, holds a MN Real Estate License and a MN License as an Assisted Living Director. Dena received her B.A. from the College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University and received her Master’s Certificate of Organizational Leadership from St. Catherine University.
As Executive Vice President of Lifestyle Communities, Ben provides strategic vision in the selection of new projects that best align with the objectives, expertise and future goals of the company while directing development, design, and construction activities across the company’s expanding portfolio.
With more than 15 years of industry experience in the Twin Cities and Des Moines markets respectively, Ben brings a unique perspective to the company's pursuit of new opportunities. His experience includes 12 years in various leadership positions within the public sector as a City Planner, Community Development Director and Economic Development Manager. Ben leverages his talents in land use planning, urban design, redevelopment, municipal entitlements, zoning code creation and economic development, enabling him to navigate complex land acquisitions, development agreements and irregular entitlement processes.
Ben received a B.A. degree from Iowa State University in Community and Regional Planning. He's held certification with the American Planning Association (AICP); has received certification in Technology of Facilitation (ToP) and Dale Carnegie Foundational Management; is a Class of 2013 graduate of the Waukee (IA) Leadership Institute and is an Eagle Scout.
A native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa Ben takes advantage of his limited free time to catch a Cyclone game, a craft beer, or a random open house excursion with his wife Cass as they indulge in their shared love of real estate. Most often, time spent out of the office is with his very energetic daughters, Gwen and June, who love to dance and perform to almost anything.
As Senior Director of Marketing and Sales, Laura leads the strategy, creative direction, and execution of marketing and sales efforts for Lifestyle Communities to positively impact growth, brand positioning, and individual community success.
As a creative marketing professional for more than 25 years, Laura brings broad professional marketing and design experience working with award-winning, luxury service brands in the Twin Cities and beyond. Her dedication to quality and her creative eye, combined with infectious enthusiasm, results in an authentic connection for our team, brands, partners, and customers.
Laura received her B.A. in Mass Communications from St. Cloud State University. She worked as in-house Marketing Director for several well-known brands, then ran her own creative marketing agency before joining the team at Lifestyle Communities in 2025. Laura is originally from a small town up north in Minnesota lake country and a long-time Twin Cities resident. She lives in Woodbury with her husband Tom and has two amazing adult daughters.
