Lana Johnston is the founder of Connection with Lana, a consultancy that helps people create strong and meaningful connections with their ageing loved ones. After working for years in corporate leadership where she designed people programs and led organisational change, she realised that the same methods used to build relationships at work could also be applied to family life. This discovery led her to start a mission that was not only professional but deeply personal.
The idea for her business came from an experience that changed her forever. When her father was fighting cancer, Lana and her family became completely focused on the tasks at hand—doctor appointments, medications, and logistics. They were trying so hard to do the right things that they forgot about simply spending time together. After he passed away, Lana was left with the painful regret that they had missed too many chances to just be present with him. She couldn’t change her past, but she made a promise to help others avoid that same mistake. This powerful motivation became the heart of her work.
“If her work can help even one person avoid the pain of missed opportunities, she considers it a success.”
Lana’s mission is clear: she wants to help people build strong connections with their ageing parents and loved ones so they don’t live with regrets later. She believes that connection is the invisible thread that ties everything together in life. Her main audience is what she calls the “sandwich generation”—people who are raising children while also caring for ageing parents. These people are usually overwhelmed with responsibilities, and Lana’s work shows them how even the smallest changes in daily routines can create moments of real connection.
One of the most impactful tools Lana has created is the SMILE framework. It teaches families five simple but powerful steps: See the good and the needs, Make moments memorable, Intentionally connect, Listen deeply and lovingly, and Embrace the 1% shift. These steps help people change how they approach time with their loved ones. For example, a daughter once told Lana that something as simple as sorting her mother’s pills every week turned into their favorite bonding time after she started using that moment to ask questions about her mother’s life and stories.
Lana’s book, Small Moments, Strong Bonds, captures everything she’s learned along the way. Writing it has been one of her biggest achievements, but even more rewarding is seeing the change in families who use her methods. Many people believe they need more time with their loved ones, but Lana teaches that it’s not about how much time you have—it’s about how you choose to use it. That shift in thinking has transformed how her clients connect with their ageing parents.
Like any leader, Lana has faced challenges. One of the hardest parts was learning how to talk openly about her own regrets without losing her professional credibility. It felt strange to share personal mistakes while also trying to help others. But Lana found that being honest about her experience actually built more trust. When she tells people about the missed chances with her father, they feel safe opening up about their own stories. She also had to make sure people understood that her approach wasn’t about adding more to their already busy lives. It was about using their time differently—with more intention and heart.
“It’s not about how much time you have—it’s about how you choose to use it.”
What keeps Lana motivated, especially during difficult times, is the thought of regret—the kind that weighs people down for years. Every time she helps a client avoid that regret, she feels like she is honoring her father’s memory and learning. She also keeps herself inspired by research that shows how meaningful relationships are one of the biggest factors in long-term happiness and wellbeing. For Lana, this isn’t just a job—it’s deeply human work that matters. Her leadership style is built on three key values: humility, practicality, and hope. She knows that every family’s situation is different, so she always keeps an open mind and learns from each person she works with. Her advice is practical and tailored to real-life challenges, not perfect scenarios. And above all, she believes that it’s never too late to make stronger connections—even if things have been distant or difficult in the past.
Lana draws heavily on her experience leading teams in the corporate world. One of the big lessons she carried over is that connection doesn’t happen by accident—it needs to be designed. She teaches families to build what she calls “connection ecosystems” where everyone has a meaningful role. Whether it’s someone who brings joy to the group or someone who handles the day-to-day tasks, everyone’s contribution matters.
Innovation plays a part in her success too, though not always in the traditional way. Lana does use technology—video calls, shared online albums, even music playlists—but the real innovation comes from changing how people think. She helps them shift their mindset from doing tasks to building relationships. A simple routine like helping with medications becomes a chance to talk, laugh, or share stories. That small shift changes everything. To stay ahead in her field, Lana focuses on what makes her work different. Her unique blend of corporate experience and personal family insight allows her to show clients how small, consistent improvements—what she calls “one percenters”—can have a huge impact. These tiny steps are easy to manage and don’t require major changes, which is why her message resonates with so many people.
“Connection doesn’t happen by accident—it needs to be designed.”
Her business is built around social impact. Every family she helps creates a ripple effect that improves the wellbeing of more people. Her goal is not just to grow her business but to solve a growing problem in society—how we care for our ageing parents while juggling everything else in life. When people ask her for leadership advice, Lana says the best leaders don’t always have the answers. Instead, they ask good questions and know when to step forward—and when to step back. Whether it’s at work or at home, great leaders make space for others to be part of the solution.
Looking ahead, Lana’s goals for 2025 and beyond include reaching more families before they reach crisis mode. She wants to expand her impact through her book and create workplace programs to support employees who are part of the sandwich generation. Because when people feel supported in their family lives, they are more focused, happy, and productive at work too.
More than anything, Lana wants her legacy to be about protecting the human connections that define who we are. She wants people to know that taking care of ageing parents isn’t only about managing medications and doctor visits. It’s about preserving the relationships and memories that shape our lives. If her work can help even one person avoid the pain of missed opportunities, she considers it a success.
In today’s fast-paced world, where everything is about speed, multitasking, and outcomes, Lana Johnston offers a different perspective. She reminds people that the most valuable things in life are often found in the quiet, small moments—the kind that many overlook. Her work isn’t just about caregiving; it’s about connection, compassion, and living without regrets.