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About ASA

Our Mission

The American Society on Aging unites, empowers and champions everyone striving to improve aging.

 

Since 1954, ASA has developed and led the largest, most diverse community of professionals working in aging in America. As a result, ASA has become the go-to source to cultivate leadership, advance knowledge and strengthen the skills of our members and others who work with and on behalf of older adults.

As we unite, empower and champion our community, we have the unique responsibility to be a strong voice and thought leader on critical systemic issues that influence how we age. As America struggles with how best to respond to the need for greater inclusivity, anti-ageism and equity, ASA sees its responsibility as a leader to drive the discourse and advocate for the change necessary to address these issues in aging.

 

Join ASA

Our Strategic Priorities

ASA’s work is framed around five priorities: Ageism & Culture, Economic Security, Innovation & Social Impact, Health & Well-being and Equity & Justice. ASA’s programs are designed to promote actionable change in each of these areas individually, and as they intersect.

Ageism & Culture

Exploring cross-cultural views on aging, portrayals of aging at the individual, community and national levels, reframing how we talk about aging and older people, shifting representations of aging in media, and promoting representation in the arts

Economic Security

Examining the longevity economy, education and training opportunities across the life course, work and retirement structures, economic instability, healthcare costs and aging-in-community

Justice & Equity

Promoting elder justice, social movements, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and the exploration of intersections between aging and racism, homophobia, gender-based or religious discrimination

Health & Well-being

Exploring systems of care that address social determinants of health, mental health parity and outcomes, spiritual well-being, the role of technology and macro-issues such as climate change and immigration

Innovation & Social Impact

Highlighting age-friendly initiatives, design thinking, technology connecting people of all ages, innovations in service delivery, and public-private-partnerships to improve our lives as we age

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Aging

Since its inception, ASA has believed in an inclusive, equitable world for people of all ages. As our country grows older, we are also becoming more diverse. Older people are the most diverse segment of our population, with preferences, needs and assets shaped by lifetimes of experience. And, within 15 years, this highly diverse group will for the first time outnumber children younger than age 18, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

This makes the fight against discrimination and bigotry in all of its forms, including ageism, racism, ableism and heterosexism, all the more urgent.

ASA is strengthening its commitment to weaving equity throughout our programs and organizational structure, elevating voices that have historically been underrepresented and suppressed, and inspiring members to take growing action toward inclusivity.

ASA is:

  • Investing in diversity, equity and inclusivity training for all staff and board members.
  • Proud of our historical commitment to maintaining a diverse Board of Directors, while intentionally recruiting new board members to ensure fuller representation. Meet our Board of Directors.
  • Designing year-round educational programs and initiatives that tackle inequality, social justice and inclusivity. 
  • Building new, practical On Aging toolkits and briefs to inspire action toward equity
  • Launching advocacy initiatives to help members learn about and organize around diversity, equity and inclusion.

 

There is much work to be done. We want to learn from you and with you.

DEI Principles
DEI Upstanders
ASA Rise

Our Team

  

ASA Board of Directors

Lisa Gables

Lisa Gables

Board Chair

Chief Executive Officer, American Academy of Physician Associates

Bio

Rani E. Snyder

Vice President, Program, The John A. Hartford Foundation

Bio

Najja R. Orr, PhD

Najja R. Orr, PhD

Member, Executive Committee

President & CEO, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging

Bio

Amy Herr

Member, Executive Committee

Director, Health Policy, West Health

Bio

Joon Bang

CEO, Iona Senior Services

Bio

Maria Henke

Senior Associate Dean, Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California

Bio

Davis Park

Vice President, Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing

Bio

Ben Veghte

Director, WA Cares Fund

Bio

Stephen Farber

CEO & Co-Founder, HealthHive, PBC

Bio

Robert Espinoza

Chair Elect

CEO, National Skills Coalition

Bio

Jeffrey B. Klein

Jeffrey B. Klein

Treasurer and Executive Committee Member

President & CEO, Nevada Senior Services Inc.

Bio

Ginna Baik

Member, Executive Committee

Senior Business Development Manager for Senior Living, Amazon

Bio

Aiyshen S. Padilla

Head of Strategic Partnerships and Diverse Talent Acquisition, Amazon

Bio

Melissa Tischler

Senior Partner, Innovation, Lippincott

Bio

Simona Valanciute

President & CEO, San Diego Oasis

Bio

Joyce L. Walker

Vice President of Community Development, PK Management LLC

Bio

Vincent Tilford

President & CEO, Hannan Foundation

Bio

ASA Staff

Leanne Clark-Shirley, PhD

President & CEO

Bio

Jen Rivera

Jen Rivera

VP of Membership Engagement, Programs, & Thought Leadership

Bio

Patrice Dickerson, PhD

Patrice Dickerson, PhD

Equity Strategy Director

Bio

Adi Goldstein

Adi Goldstein

Senior Operations & Growth Manager

Bio

Mazie Soto

Mazie Soto

LMS Manager

Bio

Rheagan Willis

Rheagan Willis

Manager of Membership

Bio

Jacki Bennett

Jacki Bennett

Chief Operating Officer & Chief of Staff

Bio

Alison Biggar

Editorial Director

Bio

Christopher Berno

Christopher Berno

Executive Consultant & Acting CTO

Bio

Julia Burrowes

Julia Burrowes

Member Thought Leadership & Impact Manager

Bio

Kay Link

Kay Link

Marketing & Communications Manager

Bio

Victoria Ruiz

Victoria Ruiz

On Aging Institute Manager

Bio