2025 Summit

CEUS

Registered attendees could earn up to seven (7) CEUs by attending the full event, including three (3) hours on December 10 and four (4) hours on December 16.

This program was designed to meet CEU approval criteria for the Minnesota Board of Nursing. The Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging is an approved provider of continuing education with the Minnesota Board of Social Work (CEP-885), and the Minnesota Board of Executives for Long Term Services and Supports (BELTSS) approval codes for the two sessions are MN26-00025 and MN26-00026.

Registered attendees may download, enter your name, and save certificates for your respective licensing board records.

The MN Leadership Council on Aging’s annual Summit is where changemakers from across the state's aging sector come to lead with purpose, inform policy solutions, and build our collective power. In a time of uncertainty, this convening centered equity and mobilized collaboration to strengthen our communities. Hundreds of state leaders joined us for two active days of sharing  perspectives and building stronger relationships. Together, we are mobilizing our collective expertise and networks to develop and advance transformational aging policy for Minnesota.



DECEMBER 10

11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

AGENDA

11:00 Welcome Conversations + Call to Order

• PAULA WOISCHKE, Director, Whitney Senior Center/Minnesota Association of Senior Services

          and MN Leadership Council on Aging Events Committee Chair

• ADAM SUOMALA, Executive Director, MN Leadership Council on Aging

11:10  Ecosystem Discussion: A Minnesota Free of Ageism

11:30  From Purpose to Power

• CHAO YANG, Director of Equity and Engagement, MN Leadership Council on Aging
• KARINA FORREST PERKINS, President and CEO, Volunteers of America – MN and WI
• KATHRYN GREINER, Executive Director, Rebuilding Together Minnesota
• MIKE LAVIN, President, DARTS
• MARY NIEDERMEYER, Chief Executive Officer, CAPI
• AMY GAVANDA, Associate Vice President of Aging and Disability Services, Catholic Charities Twin Cities

12:20  Break

12:30  Community Spotlight

• TOLULOPE MONISOLA OLA, Founder and Executive Director, Restoration for All
• BETSY MEYER, Director of Programs & Partnership Development The Remember Project
• DANETTE McCARTHY, Founder and Vision Keeper, The Remember Project
• JENN COLE, Associate Director, Northwoods Caregivers 

1:00  Community-Driven Policy, Planning and Practices in Dementia

• ROXANNE JENKINS, CEO, Senior Community Services
• ROBERT FREEMAN, Vice President, Public Policy, Alzheimer's Association MN-ND and MN Leadership Council on Aging Policy Committee Chair
• GENELLE R.S. LAMONT, Assistant Professor, Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team, University of Minnesota Medical School – Duluth
• PATRICIA TAKAWIRA, Supervisor, Aging and Healthy Communities, Minnesota Department of Health 

1:40  From the Heart: Reflections from a Departing Leader

• CHERYL HENNEN, Minnesota State Ombudsman for Long-Term Care

2:00 Closing Comments + Adjourn for the Day

DECEMBER 16

9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

AGENDA

8:30 Registration Opens

Join us in the atrium to enjoy coffee and conversations with exhibitors and other hought leaders.

9:00 Welcome Conversations + Call to Order

• KRISTIN RIGG, Executive Director, Living at Home Network 

          and MN Leadership Council on Aging Chair

• GEORGE SCHOEPHOERSTER, Past President, MN Association of Geriatrics Inspired Clinicians and MN Leadership Council on Aging Vice Chair

9:25  Reflection: Community-Driven Policy Leadership

• XAVIER VAZQUEZ, Executive Director, Centro Tyrone Guzman

9:40  Pair Share - Small Group Conversations

9:50  Community Voices: Policy Solutions Open Forum

• DAWN SIMONSON, President and CEO, Trellis and Delegate representing Minnesota Association of Area Agencies on Aging  (Moderator)

10:10  Minnesota's Emerging Political Landscape

• MAUREEN SCHNEIDER, Chair, Minnesota Board on Aging
• SHERRY MUNYON, President, Capitol Access
• MATT BURDICK, Principal, Burdick Policy and Advocacy
• DOMINIC MCQUERRY, Consultant, Dominic McQuerry Consulting
• JULIE ELLIS, Director of Adult and Disability Services, Stearns County Human Services

11:00   Age-Friendly Community Solutions

•  SHERRIE PUGH, Chair, Age-Friendly Minnesota Council
• CASSANDRA ROHLIK, CEO, Reconnect MN 

11:15  Maintaining Momentum: Minnesota's Age-Friendly Movement

• CATHY MCLEER, State Director, AARP Minnesota
• LISA EDSTROM, Director, Age-Friendly Minnesota Council
• ANN ZUKOSKI, Director of Healthy Aging, Minnesota Department of Management and Budget
• ANDREW BENTLEY, Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Management and Budget

12:00 Relationship-Building Luncheon + Expo

Join in a round of lively discussions over a delicious meal and visit our exhibitors

1:00 Mobilizing Our Sector: Storytelling for Change

• NOU YANG, Co-Founder, Courageous Change Collective
• SALLY BROWN, Co-Chair, Vital Aging Network

2:00 Adjourn

FEATURED VOICES

FEES

Registration options are value-priced to allow all interested to attend:

• $199 to attend both dynamic sessions
• $125 for the in-person conference only
• $99 per person on the virtual day only
• $25 for Minnesota Legislators and Students

See sponsorship packages for group registrations. Scholarships for all events are available by contacting adam@mnlcoa.org.

There are no additional parking, meal or fees associated with this event.