2022 News Archive
December 2022
Rajean Moone a Next Avenue Influencer in Aging
12/6/22 - Adam Suomala
Our Delegate Rajean Moone has been named to the most recent Next Avenue Influencers in Aging 2022 list. One of ten national voices on issues of aging, Moone is celebrated for his advocacy and leadership in protecting the needs of aging LGBTQ population.
"In ten years, we will be at the height of the demographic shift presenting us with both amazing opportunities and challenges. I envision the spread of age-friendly policies and practices is far reaching as we work to eliminate ageism and embrace aging," he said. "As a society we will have made significant strides in eliminating health, economic and social disparities so that all communities can live well and age well."
Registration Open for December 14 Session
12/5/22 - Adam Suomala
Register now to learn about the results of Minnesota’s 2022 Needs Assessment – including detailed regional breakouts – at this free online program from Age-Friendly Minnesota, along with Rainbow Research, AARP Minnesota, and the Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging.
The event will be held on Zoom and is free. Save Dec. 14, from 1:00-2:30 p.m. on your calendar and register to get log-in details.
Leadership Council Welcomes Chao Yang
12/1/22 - Adam Suomala
Please join us in welcoming Chao Yang, who will lead our statewide efforts to champion diverse, equitable and inclusive communities in which to age. In her role as our Director of Equity, Yang will be responsible for the development and implementation of strategic projects for both the Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging and the Minnesota Diverse Elders Coalition.
Yang is preceded in this role by Vera Ndumbe, who served admirably in an interim capacity over the past year and will stay connected to our work in a consultative capacity, and Alana Wright, who also remains closely connected in her role as Executive Director of the Minnesota Gerontological Society.
October 2022
Delegate Profile: Susan Parriott
10/18/22 - Adam Suomala
Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging is excited to welcome back Susan Parriott as the incoming Delegate representing the Alzheimer's Association. Susan has served as the Minnesota North Dakota Chapter Chief Executive Officer for over a decade. In 2017, she also became the Region 5 Leader covering Minnesota, North Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
Before joining the Alzheimer’s Association, she served as the Executive Director of The ALS Association, Minnesota/North Dakota/South Dakota Chapter for eleven years and prior to that was the Executive Director of the Pearson Lakes Arts Center in Okoboji, Iowa.
Susan can be reached at
sjparriott@alz.org or 952-857-0531.
Delegate Profile: Vickie Snyder
10/18/22 - Adam Suomala
Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging is also excited to welcome Vickie Snyder as the incoming Delegate for the Vital Aging Network. As an active leader within the organization, Vickie serves as Chair of the Vital Aging Network Board of Directors.
She also serves as the Executive Director of Basic Needs, Inc. of South Washington County, where she oversees the operation of a non-profit thrift store supporting those in the community who need help. Vickie is a retired healthcare technology leader working with more than three decades of leadership experience. With personal and professional roles ranging from frontline staff to various management responsibilities she continues to actively lead into her next phase of life.
Vickie can be reached at
vsnyder@vanmn.org or 651-666-8408.
2022 Summit Registration Now Open!
10/13/22 - Adam Suomala
Each year, Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging hosts a powerful gathering of statewide policy leaders across the state's aging sector.
This year, under the theme of ELEVATE, our Summit builds upon the collective strength of our members and the many partners committed to working together to make aging a statewide priority in the 2023 Legislative Session.
Join this powerful annual convening from 9 a.m. - 12 noon on December 1 (virtual) and December 2 (in-person). In the face of great challenges, we call on Minnesota leaders like you to join us in preparing for the shared policy work that lies ahead.
Sponsorship Opportunities
10/12/22 - Adam Suomala
Explore how you can be a champion in advancing our shared work by advancing our shared mission and connecting with our statewide leaders.
Pre-designed benefits packages have been designed at a variety of levels:
- Friends ($500)
- Bronze ($1,000)
- Silver ($2,500)
- Gold ($5,000)
- Platinum ($10,000)
- Co-Convener ($15,000)
You can also create your own package. For personalized assistance crafting an annual sponsorship package, contact Adam Suomala anytime.
Age-Friendly Minnesota Grant Opportunities
10/10/22 - Adam Suomala
There are two timely requests for Leadership Council members in the coming days that are grounded in our work creating diverse, equitable and inclusive communities in Minnesota:
- Technical Assistance Provider (TAP) Grants - Apply now >
- Grant Reviewers - Volunteer now >
For those interested in offering assistance to communities, the Technical Assistance Provider Grants are now open and due by Friday, October 21, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. A virtual Grant Applicant Conference will be held on October 13, 2022 from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Second, for anyone not seeking grant funding in this project, the Age-Friendly Minnesota Council greatly needs grant reviewers. Members are asked to volunteer if you are able.
Registration Opens for Combating Ageism Program
10/7/22 - Adam Suomala
In partnership with our member Vital Aging Network, this two-hour online workshop is back by demand and designed to elevate awareness of the stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination directed toward people on the basis of age.
Using interactive experiences, facilitators Sally Brown and Donna Comer will prepare attendees to effectively identify institutional, interpersonal and self-directed ageism as well as how to take action in the global movement to combat ageism.
This program is value-priced with two CEUs at $75/person or $500/organization. Scholarships are available if resources are a barrier. Members are asked to share this program with their respective networks as all are welcome. Information has been posted on all Council social media platforms.
September 2022
"We live in a time when science is validating what humans have known throughout the ages: that compassion is not a luxury; it is a necessity for our well-being, resilience, and survival."
Roshi Joan Halifax
Minnesota 2022 LGBTQ Aging Needs Assessment Report
9/15/22 - Adam Suomala
Special thanks for the acknowledgement to Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging from the authors of the Minnesota 2022 LGBTQ Aging Needs Assessment Report. In 2002 and 2012, Twin Cities lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) aging needs assessments provided insights into aging within these communities. Another decade later a partnership between Rainbow Health and the University of Minnesota Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) replicated these monumental studies into this Minnesota 2022 LGBTQ Aging Needs Assessment.
August 2022
MNHPC Announces Annual Conference
8/22/22 - Adam Suomala
Minnesota Network of Hospice and Palliative Care is pleased to share their annual conference theme, Celebrations & Transformations, reflects the collective experience of working in serious illness and end-of-life care through the heightened complexities of a pandemic. "While we will gather virtually again this September, we are excited to be together in community, and conversation and to celebrate each other and our work."
This event will celebrate the professionals, clients, families, connections, colleagues, resilience, determination, passion, heart, and ongoing dedication to provide the highest quality end-of-life care. It will also bring attention to the ways we are called to transform our work and day-to-day existence.
Program Director: Culturally Responsive Caregiver and Dementia Services
8/11/22 - Adam Suomala
Our members at Volunteers of America - MN/WI have posted a position for their Program Director: Culturally Responsive Caregiver and Dementia Services. This opening comes as long-time leader Dorothea Harris announces her retirement.
"We have BIG shoes to fill with this vacancy," notes Alicia Cline Holum, VOA's Senior Director of Older Adult Services. "As you likely are aware, this is a high-profile, well-connected position within the African American community and we are seeking a strong leader, who can partner with our team and become the next face of our Caregiver and Dementia Services." To learn more about the position, visit their website today.
Natasha Merz to Serve as Interim DHS Leader
8/9/22 - Adam Suomala
The Minnesota Department of Human Services announces today that Natasha Merz (she/her) will serve as the interim Assistant Commissioner of the newly merged Aging and Disability Services Division. This role was previously held by Dan Pollock, who recently joined the government relations team at Lockridge, Grindle and Nauen.
Merz comes to this interim position from her current role as the Director of the Disability Services Division. In addition to four years at DHS in management roles spanning services and standards, she had rich experience supporting teams that work on home care, self-directed services and disability waiver policy, she also served for a decade in various roles in the Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care.
Save the Dates for our 2022 Summit
8/5/22 - Adam Suomala
Registration and a Call for Sponsorship will open soon for this annual tradition. This year, we are preparing for both in-person and virtual opportunities for leaders across our sector to connect and plan to harness the collective power of our advocacy strength in the 2023 Legislative Session.
Save December 1-2, 2022 in your calendar now and be sure to check back for more details on this event coming soon.
Aging and Disability Services Director
8/4/22 - Adam Suomala
Our members at Jewish Family Service of St. Paul have posted a position for the Aging and Disability Services Director. This person is a leader, managing the largest department at JFS. It is a full time position responsible for assisting, directing, establishing, promoting and maintaining specific programs and initiatives within the Aging and Disability Services Department. To learn more about the position, visit their website today.
July 2022
Delegate Profile: Nona Ferguson
7/21/22 - Adam Suomala
Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging is excited to welcome Nona Ferguson as the incoming Delegate for Amherst A. Wilder Foundation. Nona serves as Vice President, Economic Stability and Aging Services and has been with the Wilder Foundation since 1995, where she provides a wealth of experience and expertise in health and human services work, program design, employment services and housing. Nona holds a B.A. in Psychology from Tougaloo College, Mississippi, and a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling from Minnesota State University-Mankato.
When she’s not working, Nona enjoys spending time with family and friends, and learning about the capacity of human beings to be resilient and rebound from life circumstances. Her favorite quote comes from author Paulo Coelho’s book The Alchemist, and in summary says that once you commit and determine what you want, the whole universe conspires to support you in achieving that goal.
Nona can be reached at
nona.ferguson@wilder.org or
651-280-2351.
Delegate Profile: Carol Lundquist
7/13/22 - Adam Suomala
Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging is also excited to welcome a new Delegate to our ranks. Living at Home Network (LAHN) has announced Carol Lundquist will start as their Executive Director on July 19, 2022.
Carol is the current Executive Director of Helping Hands Outreach in Holdingford - one of the larger LAHN programs in central Minnesota. She has a good understanding of the broader aging field from nine years with Catholic Charities in St. Cloud as the Senior Dining Supervisor. In that role, Carol was responsible for 20 dining sites in a nine-county area.
She is also familiar with the urban neighborhoods LAHN programs serve from living in three of the neighborhoods in the metro that have LAHN programs.
Carol can be reached at Carol@lahnetwork.org or 651-649-0315.
New "Opening Doors" Resources
7/10/22 - Adam Suomala
A new Opening Doors to Aging Services initiative is working to reset the narrative and more clearly tell the story of aging services to older adults and families through new research, communications strategies and campaign resources.
For example, a newly posted Language Guide is one of the resources offering guidance to promote accurate, unbiased, and inclusive communication about this ubiquitous, yet relatively unknown and often mischaracterized, field. Language suggested includes:
- “Sector” or “field” INSTEAD OF “industry” or “market”
- “Nonprofit” or “mission-driven or nonprofit organization” INSTEAD OF “company” or “business”
- “Communities” or “residences” INSTEAD OF “facilities” or “institutions” or “buildings”
- “Older adults” INSTEAD OF “the elderly” or “the aged”
- “Caregiving professionals” or “professional caregivers” INSTEAD OF “care workers” or “unskilled workers”
- “Aging services” INSTEAD OF “elder care” or “aged care”
"Ultimately, we have just one moral duty: to reclaim large areas of peace in ourselves, more and more peace, and to reflect it towards others. And the more peace there is in us, the more peace there will also be in our troubled world."
Etty Hillesum
Podcast Recommendation
7/1/22 - Adam Suomala
Are you looking for a new podcast?
The first episode of Brené Brown's podcast, Dare to Lead came out in October 2020, and for many leaders across the aging field, it has quickly become a valuable investment of personal/professional development during the pandemic.
Join your fellow leaders now by subscribing for free on Spotify and catch her compelling conversations with change-catalysts, culture-shifters, and more than a few troublemakers who are innovating, creating and daring to lead.
From the first episode, The Heart of Daring Leadership, to the latest, you'll quickly become hooked on the profound and personal lessons, reflections and examples that you can easily translate into your own growth journey as a leader in the aging sector.
Do you have a favorite podcast you want to share? Write up a blurb for this news page or let Adam know at
adam@mnlcoa.org.
May 2022
Minnesota's Frontline Worker Pay
5/10/22 - Adam Suomala
Work is underway to build the Frontline Worker Pay application so it is ready by mid-June, for the 45-day application period to begin, with payments anticipated in late summer or early fall.
A general information sheet is available with the basics about the program in English, with translations coming soon in Hmong, Somali and Spanish. When the application launches, a call center and help desk to assist applicants in multiple languages will also be offered.
Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging encourages members to spread the word to workers who may be eligible. Join a meeting of our Policy Committee on 5/17/22 for additional discussion.
May is Older Americans Month
5/1/22 - Adam Suomala
Older adults play vital, positive roles in our communities – as family, friends, mentors, volunteers, civic leaders, members of the workforce, and more. Just as every person is unique, so too is how they age and how they choose to do it – and there is no “right” way. That’s why the theme for Older Americans Month 2022 is Age My Way.
Each May, the Administration for Community Living leads the celebration and this year’s theme focuses on how older adults can age in their communities, living independently for as long as possible and participating in ways they choose.
Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging is excited to celebrate this month with our partners in the aging community. We know that diverse communities are strong communities. Please join us in strengthening our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts by registering for one of our upcoming events.
For more information, visit the official OAM website and join the campaign on social media using #OlderAmericansMonth and #AgeFriendlyMN.
Leadership Lunch: Conflict Management
5/4/22 - Adam Suomala
Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging members are encouraged to identify members of your team to join us for a powerful series of networking conversations designed for leaders in your organizations.
Mark your calendar for the next virtual gatherings, held via Zoom from 11:30 - 12:30 on June 20 and August 22. We'll also dedicate our sessions on October 24 and December 15 to discuss learnings from our 2022 Leaders in Aging Cohort's Individual Development Plans that come from our program on Intercultural Competency this September.
On June 20, Melissa Kirchhoff from Adept Selling will join the group for a conversation about one of the skills that many Minnesota leaders need to explore - conflict management. Contact adam@mnlcoa.org to sign-up for the group and receive upcoming agendas.
April 2022
NEW: From Microaggressions to Inclusion
4/18/22 - Adam Suomala
Making the personal and organizational commitment to grow in equity and inclusion-based understanding requires intentional engagement with a wide variety of learning opportunities. This interactive workshop is one such opportunity to take essential concepts surrounding microaggressions and help you turn them into improved policy, practice, and procedure.
Designed for individuals at every level of an aging services organization, participants will gain a more nuanced understanding of microaggressions and how they manifest within personal and organizational experiences and spaces. Additionally, participants will be able to explore tangible ways to improve these experiences and spaces. Join us as we explore specific examples and tips for how to identify, minimize, and respond to microaggressions in real, everyday situations.
NEW: 2022 Leaders in Aging Cohort
4/18/22 - Adam Suomala
Leaders across Minnesota's aging sector recognize that our ability to individually and collectively navigate cultural differences affects what we're able to accomplish - and that we all have room for growth and development!
So, how would you assess your intercultural competence or that of your leadership team? Together, we'll eliminate the guess work using the proven Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) and by wrapping around you the training, tools and supports needed to enhance your intercultural competency.
The individualized reports and coaching you'll receive as part of this program will help you to build a practical, actionable, and customized blueprint towards enhancing your personal cultural competency.
Join a statewide cohort of leaders, including delegates of the Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging as we also review our Group Profile Report to understand how Minnesota's aging field can best work together towards more effective management, mentorship and leadership across diverse groups. This is an important step forward in increasing the strength of our state in ways that only come by having diverse, equitable and inclusive organizations - and we want you to be part of our inaugural 2022 Leaders in Aging Cohort!
CMS Webinar on Caregiving
4/18/22 - Adam Suomala
Caregiving can be physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually exhausting. All caregivers require support, regardless of who they care for and whether they are paid for that work. This webinar will help us better understand how to ensure caregivers’ needs are met.
Objectives:
• Discuss the role of caregivers at home and in long-term care facilities
• Explore the impact of caregiver burnout, compassion fatigue, and grief
• Highlight the need for caregivers to find balance for self-care
Have questions for our presenter? Let us know before the webinar by emailing ltssinfo@kauffmaninc.com.
Building Racial Equity into the Walls of MN Medicaid Community Conversations
4/18/22 - Adam Suomala
DHS will host another round of Community Conversations this spring about building racial equity into Minnesota's Medicaid program for U.S.-born Black Minnesotans. The online meetings will focus on the report co-created with the community in previous conversations, Building Racial Equity into the Walls of Minnesota Medicaid: A focus on U.S.-born Black Minnesotans.
DHS Medicaid Medical Director Dr. Nathan Chomilo and colleagues will share the final report's recommendations, discuss actions all can take to support this work and gather feedback on the report and the process that created it from community members through facilitated discussion. U.S.-born Black Minnesotans enrolled in Medicaid and those working to advance racial equity in health care are encouraged to participate in one of the Community Conversations.
Dates/Times: 6: 00 -7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, or Monday, May 9.
Careers in Aging Week
4/17/22 - Adam Suomala
The Gerontological Society of America hosts Careers in Aging Week every year to raise awareness about the diverse careers available in the field of aging.
People are living longer and populations are aging worldwide. The demand for professionals with expertise in aging is growing rapidly. Careers in Aging Week (CIAW) is observed every year by businesses, clinics, coalitions, organizations, universities, colleges, and other parties across the world. The goal of CIAW is to bring greater awareness and visibility to the wide-ranging career opportunities in the field of aging.
I've shared an interview from last year with the University of Minnesota Students in Aging and I'll be looking to boost Leadership Council member posts this week using the #CareersInAging hashtag!
4/11/22 - Adam Suomala
Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging celebrates the long-standing contributions of our former Delegate, Jeri Schoonover, Vice President of Community Services for Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota. Schoonover, known for her collaborative leadership style, was a pioneer in establishing and strengthening the Leadership Council.
Schoonover has announced her retirement from Lutheran Social Services effective June 3, 2022.
"I want to express my sincere appreciation for the commitment, dedication, thought leadership and all the advocacy work that the Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging members have done and continue to do for older Minnesotans," wrote Schoonover in a message to the Council. "As you know, this work to create communities and systems for aging with dignity and with a spirit of well-being is so critical for our future."
Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota is now represented by Delegate Roxanne Jenkins, LSS's Associate Vice President for Older Adults.
New Report Calls for Fundamental Change in Nursing Homes 4/7/22 - Washington Post Article
"The way the United States finances, regulates and delivers care to residents of nursing homes nationwide is “ineffective" and "unsustainable,” according to a report released Wednesday by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine that called for sweeping change.
Why it matters: Nearly 1.3 million Americans reside in nursing homes across the U.S., and over 150,000 died from contracting covid-19.
Here are some of the report’s takeaways:
- Low salaries, poor benefits and inadequate training has made nursing homes “a highly undesirable place of employment,” the report states.
- There is “considerable variation” in how states implement routine inspections and investigate complaints.
- Meanwhile, a lack of transparency around facilities finances, operations and ownership prevents regulators from fully understanding how resources are allocated.
- A significant financial investment at the federal and state level — as well as from nursing homes — is needed to implement targeted recommendations.
Recommendations include having the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services enhance minimum education standards for all nursing home staff. Another says the Department of Health and Human Services should fund research to gauge the minimum and optimum staffing levels for nurses, social workers and recreational staff.
March 2022
POSITION POSTED: Age-Friendly Council Director
3/29/22 - Adam Suomala
At long last, the Minnesota Department of Human Services posted the position for the Age-Friendly Council Director - a key leadership position that will be responsible for managing the strategic goals and funding of the Age-Friendly Minnesota Council, including efforts to:
- Advance age-friendly policies and programs, including guiding and coordinating state agencies and supporting local governments;
- Manage equity-informed community grant awards to dozens of local and tribal communities seeking to become age-friendly; and
- Coordinate development of reforms to the emergency preparedness response system to ensure better future protections for older adults, communities and families experiencing disasters.
This posting is now open to external applicants for two weeks with the hopes of making an offer by the end of April. Applicants who are not current state employees can apply through the state career site by searching Job ID: 54367.
Delegate Profile: Kari Thurlow
3/21/22 - Adam Suomala
Kari Thurlow is the President and CEO of LeadingAge Minnesota. She took the role at the beginning of 2022 after 15 years leading the Association's advocacy efforts.
Kari came to LeadingAge Minnesota with a strong background in law and public policy. Kari worked for several years at Flaherty & Hood, P.A., where she had the opportunity to provide legislative representation to clients on a variety of issues including bonding, property taxes, environmental and land use.
Kari holds a J.D. from Mitchell Hamline School of Law and a B.A. in political science and communications from Concordia College.
"When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less important whether I'm afraid."
Audre Lorde
3/1/22 - Adam Suomala
March is Women's History Month and I want to acknowledge the backbone role that women have disproportionately represented in the field of aging.
From leadership in families to serving as the Founding Mothers of several organizations across our state dedicated to serving older adults, their contributions deserve significant recognition as we reflect on the role women have had in the history of our sector.
So, in our social media this month, I'll be featuring a selection of bold and compassionate women who have committed their energy and experience to making aging a better experience - from care at the bedside as the majority of our informal and career caregiving workforce, to leadership in board rooms all across our state.
February 2022
NOW HIRING: Director of Equity
2/24/22 - Adam Suomala
With the advancement of our previous Director of Equity and Operations to Executive Director of an allied member organization, we now seek a Director of Equity to lead our statewide work creating diverse, equitable and inclusive communities in which to age.
This position is designed to be a contract between an individual and the Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging for a part-time, grant-funded virtual work position estimated at 10-15 hours per week.
The Director of Equity will focus on internal capacity-building needs of the Leadership Council and its member delegates, including staff support for the monthly meetings of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. This is also a public-facing role, responsible for fostering relationships across our members, funders, and statewide communities, including convening monthly meetings of the Minnesota Diverse Elders Coalition.
Delegate Profile: Cathy Corkill McLeer
2/23/22 - Adam Suomala
Cathy serves as the State Director for our member, AARP Minnesota. Although new to our Leadership Council as AARP Minnesota's Delegate in 2021, she has a demonstrated history of working effectively in non-profit organization management and the media. Words that describe Cathy's solution-focused style include: Leader. Innovator. Facilitator.
She is known for thinking strategically and approaching work creatively. Around our Leadership Council table she actively seeks new ways to achieve desired results. Her skills fostering collaboration, building relationships, and expertly navigating complexity makes her an asset to Minnesota and our aging sector.
Cathy is known for effectively leading -
she gets things done! Skilled in advocacy, communications, community outreach, and volunteer engagement, she is an asset to our Council and her leadership around our Age-Friendly Committee.
Free Financial Leadership Cohort
2/22/22 - Adam Suomala
Trellis recently reached out to the Minnesota Diverse Elders Coalition about their sponsoring of a Financial Leadership Cohort (training series) to be presented, at no cost to participants, by
Propel Nonprofits. The goal of the Cohort is to develop the financial leadership capacity needed for nonprofits to be sustainable and financially healthy.
This training cohort is designed to develop a network of co-supportive colleagues and provide valuable training for emerging or newer leaders. If you are a seasoned leader, please consider offering this opportunity to one of your emerging leaders. It will be similar to
the opportunity Propel Nonprofits offers periodically. Space is limited. Selected participants must commit to attend all 6 sessions, from 9 a.m. - noon on March 17, April 21, May 19, June 16, July 21, and August 18, 2022.
To apply, email the following information to
Diane Graham-Raff, Trellis EDP: Name, email, phone number, Organization, Current position, and length of time in that position, and what you would hope to learn.
"Sticks in a bundle cannot be broken."
East African Proverb
Publication Spotlight: Hiring Revolution Book
2/21/22 - Adam Suomala
Diverse teams don't just materialize. Hiring across race, gender identity, ability, and more must be approached with intentionality and care. But how do we move from believing to doing? Aimed at HR, executives, and leaders across sectors, Hiring Revolution is a compelling guide for how to combat baked-in bias and deal with racism and sexism.
Co-founders of the firm Team Dynamics authors Trina C. Olson and Alfonso T. Wenker are experts in developing equitable work culture. Their tactical approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion at work is based on tested strategies that work.
Publication Spotlight: Title III Equity Assessment
2/14/22 - Adam Suomala
In one of the most exemplary case studies I've seen of how an organization can apply an equity lens to their work, I want to make sure that members have had the opportunity to review this recent report, Equity Assessment on Access to Title III Services for Native Americans and Minority Older Adult Populations conducted by SDK Communications for Trellis.
From the compelling equity gap data to the deep dive into programs to the recommendations, this is the type of thoughtful and actionable assessment I hope to see more organizations embarking on.
Kudos for this work.
Black History Month
2/9/22 - Vera Ndumbe
“Now, more than ever, we recognize that Black History Month is a reminder of the challenges around racial disparities in the communities we serve,” shared interim Equity Director, Vera Ndumbe in a message this week. "We remain motivated to work vigorously to advance racial justice by living out our commitments to create a more inclusive society."
Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging stands with our nation in celebrating Black History Month. We are eager to see how each of our members celebrate this observance. For example, our member Hallie Q. Brown Community Center is sharing examples of Rondo leadership, like their feature of Ms. Janabelle Murphy Taylor, Program Director at Hallie Q Brown for 25 years. She is this week's local heroine on their Facebook page.
Registration Opens for Combating Ageism Program
2/7/22 - Adam Suomala
In partnership with our member Vital Aging Network, this two-hour online workshop is our first public education session of the year and is designed to elevate awareness of the stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination directed toward people on the basis of age.
Using interactive experiences, facilitators Sally Brown and Donna Comer will prepare attendees to effectively identify institutional, interpersonal and self-directed ageism as well as how to take action in the global movement to combat ageism.
This program is value-priced with two CEUs at $75/person or $500/organization. Scholarships are available if resources are a barrier. Members are asked to share this program with their respective networks as all are welcome. Information has been posted on all Council social media platforms. Learn more on our event page or register now.
Community Calendar of Aging Events
2/5/22 - Adam Suomala
In an effort to clearly communicate the many events occurring in the field of aging and reduce the likelihood of scheduling your next event at the same time as a fellow member, our members at the Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation have created a public calendar of aging events.
We have added our Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging and education events to this calendar and encourage you to submit your organization's key annual events for 2022 by completing this fast online form or by contacting chai@umn.edu.
"Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world."
Archbishop Demond Tutu
Janette Romero Saenz Wins Award
2/3/22 - Joseph Gaugler
Our Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging's 2021-22 Policy Intern Janette Romero Saenz was featured this week when the
University of Minnesota School of Public Health's Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation announced this year's winners of the Shelley Joseph-Kordell Scholarship! This year's winners included
Janette Romero Saenz, an MPH Student in Administration and Policy in our School of Public Health; Madeleine Howard, an MD student in the University of Minnesota Medical School; Michelle Berning, also an MD student in our Medical School; and Heather C. Ferguson, an MSW student in the College of Education and Human Development - University of Minnesota. Please see https://bit.ly/3GJaVY9 to learn more about Janette and these other incredible Scholarship recipients!
New Policy Team at the Alzheimer's Association
2/2/22 - Mollie O'Brien
Hello partners! I am delighted to announce the addition of two talented new staff members to the Alzheimer's Association public policy team:
Robert Freeman, MA, is our new Vice President, Public Policy, MN-ND. Robert comes to us from HealthPartners, where he served as the Government Relations Manager and a lobbyist for the past 16 years. Robert lives in Rosemount and has a Masters degree in Political Science from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor's degree in American Studies and Psychology from the University of Keele in England. Robert’s experience in direct lobbying, in state and local public health campaigns, and in building grassroots advocacy within a large health system will be so valuable to advancing our public policy agenda.
Sam Smith, BA, is our new Manager, State Affairs, MN. Sam comes to us from National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Minnesota, where he served as the Public Policy Director. Sam lives in Minneapolis and has a Bachelor's degree in English from Bowdoin College in Maine. Sam blends community engagement, evidence-based practice and personal experience to advance public policy - this approach will be a great asset to our association's public policy strategy.
Their first day will be Monday February 14th.
Online News Page Launches!
2/1/22 - Adam Suomala
For years, Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging members have received an "E Newsletter." Members can now access all the public-facing content 24/7 as it becomes available here on our News page.
Member organizations are invited to submit content - including key happenings within your organization, key leadership position postings, etc. - at any time to adam@mnlcoa.org.
Each Delegate can also continue to use listserv permissions to send communications directly to the full Council or your committees.
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