Minnesota's Leaders in Aging

With strength in numbers, our delegates are the state's leading minds in the sector - each advancing a better experience of aging in Minnesota.

2024 Delegates

Cathy Corkill McLeer

State Director

(she/her)

AARP Minnesota connects Minnesotans to resources that help them save money and live their best life.


Learn more at https://states.aarp.org/minnesota/

Robert Freeman

Vice President, Public Policy

(he/him)

Alzheimer’s Association Minnesota-North Dakota is the state's chapter of the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Visit our website or call the 24/7 Helpline (800.272.3900) for support.


Learn more at

http://www.alz.org/mnnd/

Kimelyn Knight

Director of Aging Services (she/her/hers)

Amherst H. Wilder Foundation combines knowledge, compassion and action to improve lives today and for generations to come. Wilder helps older adults and caregivers maintain their health, well-being and independence. We offer Caregiver Services, Wellness Classes, Meals on Wheels and customized living services in partnership with St. Paul Public Housing.


Learn more at

https://www.wilder.org/

Toby Pearson

President and CEO

(he/him/his)

Care Providers of Minnesota is a non-profit membership association with a mission to empower members to performance excellence. Our 900+ member organizations represent non-profit and for-profit organizations providing services across the full spectrum of post-acute and long-term services and supports. We are the Minnesota affiliate of the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living, providing solutions for quality care.


Learn more at https://www.careproviders.org/

Patricia McArdle

Director of Aging

and Disability Services

(she/her)

Catholic Charities Twin Cities serves those most in need. We are a leader at solving poverty, creating opportunity and advocating for justice in our community.


Learn more at

https://www.cctwincities.org/

Xavier Vazquez

Executive Director

(he/him)

Centro Tyrone Guzman is building a vibrant, diverse and inclusive Latine community that belongs and contributes to the social and economic vitality of Minnesota. Elders play an important role in our community, transmitting their life’s wisdom and the Latine culture to younger members. Centro Tyrone Guzman has the longest-standing program for Latine seniors in Minnesota.


Learn more at https://centromn.org/

Ann Bailey

President

(she/her)

DARTS is creating connections that enrich aging. We provide home services, transportation and volunteer opportunities for older adults. We support those caring for an older adult.


Learn more at

https://dartsconnects.org/

Katey Zanotelli-Wade

Senior Director of Aging and Economic Security

(she/her/hers & they/them/theirs)

East Side Neighborhood Services is a community-based agency serving individuals and families across the lifespan. We leverage intergenerational models, building a culture of engagement and respect for learning between the ages. We believe that older adults should be allowed to choose where they want to live and how they can thrive. We support their right to choose and provide tools, services, allies and resources to carry out their self determination.


Learn more at https://www.esns.org/

Beth Wiggins

Director of Caregiving

and Aging Services

(she/her)

FamilyMeans strengthens communities by helping individuals and families through challenges in all life stages. We believe a family consists of people, whether living together or apart, related by blood, marriage, adoption, or the commitment to care for or about one another. In addition to an array of caregiver support services and aging-related community engagement opportunities, FamilyMeans provides counseling and therapy, financial solutions, and youth development programming.


Learn more at https://www.familymeans.org/

James Falvey

Executive Director

(he/his)

Friends & Co has served older adults in Minnesota for over 50 years. We foster meaningful connections for older adults. Maybe you’re an older adult or know someone that is? We offer something for everyone - a quick drop-in chat line, phone companionship, and visiting companionship services. Whatever you choose, Friends & Co is the place to be. At Friends & Co, our purpose is to create meaningful connections that enrich peoples’ lives and provide a sense of belonging that nourishes all of us, which is a fundamental human need.


Learn more at https://friendsco.org/

Briana Joyner

Interim Executive Director

Hallie Q. Brown Community Center is an African American, non-profit social service agency open to all. We work to improve the quality of life in our community by providing access to critical human services, fostering and promoting growth, and developing community leadership. We host two clubs for seniors, which hold regular meetings and social events, connect seniors to resources, and participate in volunteer opportunities.


Learn more at

http://www.hallieqbrown.org/

Ruth Hampton Olkon

Chief Executive Officer

(she/her)

Jewish Family Service of St. Paul has served individuals and families since 1911. The Aging and Disability Services Department is our largest department and pioneers innovative programs and services to address the changing needs of older adults, such as counseling, caregiver coaching and support, case management, advocacy, meals on wheels, dementia coaching, information and referral, community education as well as services to help alleviate isolation and depression.


Learn more at https://jfssp.org/

Adero Cobb

President and CEO

(she/her)

Keystone Community Services has the goals to support St. Paul seniors to age with dignity, connection, independence and health in their own homes. We keep seniors engaged and connected as valued members of our community. We offer senior exercise, volunteer opportunities and social programs for active seniors. We provide care management and in-home supports, such as Meals on Wheels and homemaking to those who need support to live independently. Keystone serves approximately 3,200 older adults through comprehensive services, which act as a safety net for seniors and their caregivers in our community. 90% of Keystone seniors are financially vulnerable and about 25% identify with communities of color.


Learn more at

https://keystoneservices.org/

Kari Thurlow

President and CEO

(she/her)

LeadingAge Minnesota is driven to transform and enhance the experience of aging. With more than 60,000 caregivers, our 1,300 members provide quality services and supports to more than 53,000 older adults every day in independent senior housing, assisted living, in-home care, adult day services, and skilled nursing facilities.


Learn more at https://www.leadingagemn.org/

Kristin Rigg

Executive Director

(she/her)

Living at Home Network offers support to over 10,000 older people in Minnesota through our 32 small non-profits. The organizations that comprise the network take a unique neighbor-helping-neighbor approach. Each program has a Board of Directors that know the needs in their community and mobilize volunteers and other resources to help older adults stay living at home. Services range from volunteer visits, rides and health promotion activities, to individually figuring what is important to each person served. 


Learn more at

http://lahnetwork.org/

Tory Merhar

Associate Vice President

Older Adult Services

(she/her/hers)

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota has responded to the state's changing needs since 1865. Today, our 2,300 staff support one in 65 people in Minnesota through a comprehensive range of innovative services and networks in all 87 counties. Our services are organized around children, youth and families, people with disabilities, and older adults. Services for older adults are designed to support their well-being and ensure they have choices in services and opportunities to participate in community life. Our vision is for all people to have the opportunity to live and work in community with full and abundant lives.


Learn more at

https://www.lssmn.org/

Patrick Rowan

Executive Director

(he/his)

Metro Meals on Wheels is the association of 32 Meals on Wheels programs in the Twin Cities metro area. With our program partners, we lead the effort to make sure people in our community receive nutritious meals and the human connection they need to help them live independently.


Learn more at

https://meals-on-wheels.com/

Jarrod Peterson

Public Policy Chair

(he/his)

Minneapolis Area Senior Workers Association is a community organization of those working to assist older adults in maintaining health and independence. We are dedicated to improving the quality of life for all older adults and have a mission to offer a multidisciplinary community of professionals working in the field of aging who are educated, supported, and interconnected so that they may improve services and advocate for older adults.


Learn more at

https://seniorworkers.org/

Dawn Simonson

President and CEO, Trellis

(she/her)

Minnesota Association of Area Agencies on Aging brings together our state's seven Area Agencies on Aging to work collaboratively with each other and key partners to foster systemic changes which better support older adults and caregivers. Together, we help individuals live and age well in their communities. We support older adults and family caregivers as well as public, non-profit and private organizations that provide services to them and the communities in which they live.


Learn more at

https://mn4a.org/

George Schoephoerster

Past President

Minnesota Association of Geriatrics Inspired Clinicians is a membership organization that supports its members as they advocate for, and serve those, with complex medical needs. Our predecessor organization, the Minnesota Medical Directors Association, was founded in 1978. Starting in 2017, we expanded as an organization with a broader membership in response to the changing paradigm of care for older, and medically complex, persons.


Learn more at https://www.minnesotageriatrics.org/

Paula Woischke

Director, Whitney Senior Center

Minnesota Association of Senior Services has been providing professionals in the field of aging a network to promote health, development and other resources to older adults and to advance professional leadership since 1983.


Learn more at

https://www.mass-seniors.com/

Amanda Vickstrom

Executive Director

(she/her)

Minnesota Elder Justice Center works towards mobilizing communities to prevent and alleviate abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of older and vulnerable adults. We are a statewide, non-profit organization providing a helpline and free advocacy services for older victims and concerned community members. Through statewide professional training, as well as policy and systems change advocacy, we directly impact elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation.


Learn more at

https://elderjusticemn.org/

Heidi Holste

Executive Director

Minnesota Gerontological Society bridges research and practice in the field of aging, with emphasis on developing and supporting tomorrow's leaders. Founded in 1976, we are an enduring professional membership organization that welcomes a diverse group of social service professionals, housing experts, health care providers, researchers, policy analysts, program administrators, educators, retirees, consultants, university students, and others.


Learn more at

https://www.mngero.org/

Kathy Messerli

Executive Director

(she/her)

Minnesota Home Care Association is a non-profit trade association representing nearly 150 home care agencies throughout the state by providing education, consulting, advocacy and more. The association's members include basic and comprehensive licensed providers, hospice agencies, Medicare-certified and PCA providers. Our ongoing commitment to sustaining high quality home care services is at the forefront of everything we do.


Learn more at https://www.mnhomecare.org/

David Blomquist

Interim Executive Director

(he/him)

Minnesota Network of Hospice & Palliative Care is the state's leading network of individuals, healthcare providers, and allied organizations concerned with hospice and palliative care in Minnesota. Our members provide resources and support for individuals facing serious illness or the end of life and their loved ones. We provide education, advocacy and networking opportunities as well as resources and tools for healthcare professionals in the hospice and palliative care communities.


Learn more at

https://www.mnhpc.org/

Phil Duran

Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement

(he/his)

Rainbow Health provides a range of supportive services for people who are low-income and HIV+ such as transportation, housing, case-management and emergency-needs services. We identify ways to adapt these offerings to help older adults in the LGBTQ and HIV+ communities. We also carry forward the focus of Training to Serve, which educated those serving older adults on how to best serve the LGBTQ and HIV+ communities.


Learn more at http://www.rainbowhealth.org/

Jarrod Peterson

Public Policy Chair

(he/his)

St. Paul Senior Workers Association provides people working in the field of aging with a group to exchange ideas and resources. Together, we examine issues affecting older adults and information on current legislative issues in a non-biased manner to advocate for the well-being of the people we serve.


Learn more at

https://stpseniorworkers.org/

Deb Taylor

Chief Executive Officer

(she/her)

Senior Community Services has been a leader in providing services that help seniors to age in place. Our services support independence, empower caregivers and families, and provide opportunities to help keep older adults connected to our community. 


Learn more at

https://seniorcommunity.org/

Jane Pederson, MD

Chief Medical Quality Officer

(she/her)

Stratis Health is an independent non-profit organization that leads collaboration and innovation in health care quality and patient safety. For 50 years, we've worked across settings of care to improve the health of individuals and communities and to improve the processes used to deliver care. Our expertise and services include working with long-term care providers, who deliver care in the home, in the community, in assisted living or in nursing homes.


Learn more at

https://stratishealth.org/

Rajean Moone

LTC Administration Faculty Director and Associate Director of Policy

(he/his)

The University of Minnesota  Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation works to advance interdisciplinary aging science, create meaningful and immersive educational experiences in aging, build and sustain innovations in care and services, and establish vibrant community, governmental, business, and individual collaborations to promote healthy aging for Minnesotans as well as for people across the country.


Learn more at https://www.sph.umn.edu/research/centers/chai/

Vickie Snyder

Board Chair

(she/her)

Vital Aging Network is a grassroots organization that fosters vital aging for all. We believe vital aging is a lifelong process of achieving potential, creating meaning, and enriching life through contributions and connections in the community. Our volunteers promote self-determination, civic engagement, and personal growth for people as they age, through education, leadership development, and opportunities for connection.


Learn more at

https://vital-aging-network.org/

Julie Manworren

President and CEO

(she/her)

Volunteers of America - Minnesota and Wisconsin helps people build hope, resilience and well-being with compassion, integrity, and perseverance. We work to close the gap between people and possibility, serving more than 25,000 people across 110 neighborhoods and communities. We coordinate the efforts of 800 employees, 1,600 volunteers. Together, we will continue to step forward.


Learn more at

https://www.voamnwi.org/


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