COUNCIL ON AGING - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
I am a recently retired professor of Gerontology and life long advocate and activist for aging and older persons and the field of Gerontology. I am also a life long founder of organizations that advance higher education and community-based research, programs and services for older persons and their families. The mission and work is about creating age-friendly communities. I am currently the executive director of the Center for Age-Friendly Excellence (CAFE) cfafe.org; and president of the National Association for Professional Gerontologists (NAPG) napgerontologists.org. I live in Bend and enjoy international travel, hiking, yoga, writing, entertaining friends and family and community leadership. I am also learning to be a better digital photographer.
What I do: I maintain our three agency buildings, connectivity, construction management and anything else needed to keep our business offices running smoothly.
Why I do it: The chance to help an older adult through even a few of their challenges as they age is very rewarding. The friendships and partnerships gained over my time here have been amazing.
Job Titles:
- Associate Executive Director
Job Titles:
- Director of Nutrition Services
What I do: I lead and inspire a devoted team of paid staff and volunteers as they help seniors battle hunger and isolation.
Why I do it: There is something magical about sharing a well-made meal with our senior community, having meaningful conversations, and feeling like I'm making a real difference in someone's day. It does more than just keep a body alive. It brings comfort and joy. Sharing food and life stories is my passion, and I am thrilled to use my enthusiasm to delight seniors.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Board of Directors
Chris is a former Bend, Oregon City Councilor and works as a consultant to small and medium sized businesses. Chris graduated from the University of Oregon with a BA in Communication. He has been a Bend resident for 16 years. He and his wife, Marla, have a daughter who is attending Bend High as a Junior. Chris truly enjoys all that Central Oregon offers - hiking, camping, RV-ing, fly fishing, x-country skiing and snowshoeing plus jaunts over to Oregon's coast to get his ocean fix.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Secretary of the Board
Nearly two decades into her health care career, Emily currently serves as the Director of Population Health at St. Charles Health System in Central Oregon. She is committed to redesigning health care delivery, in partnership with community services, to provide an experience that is meaningful to each person and supports their goals for health and daily living. Outside of work, Emily enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading and listening to music.
Job Titles:
- Director of Communications and Programming
- Director of Communications and Programs
What I do: I inspire compassion by being a voice for older adults via our website, social media, events, direct mail, press, and advertising. I also manage our non-federally funded program, Caring Connections, and I am actively involved in designing and developing new programs that support seniors.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Vice President of the Board
- Board Vice Presiden T
Job Titles:
- Director of Creative Services
What I do: I work with an incredibly talented team to create TV, radio, print, and out-of-home communications that highlight the needs of older adults and the programs offered by the Council on Aging that empower people to age successfully in the community of their choice.
Why I do it: My life has been blessed with a wonderful career in advertising, a supportive family, and a grandmother that was my best friend. The wisdom and guidance that older adults offer our community are priceless and I am delighted to help tell their story.
What I do: I support the Council on Aging of Central Oregon team members and Board of Directors as they execute their mission to improve the wellbeing of seniors in Central Oregon by directing Accounting, Finance and HR functions and management of related staff and by providing valuable financial information that will help them be more effective and efficient in this quest.
Why I do it: I want to make a difference in the lives of people in our community. The Council is working today to create the best possible programs and tools to improve the environment and wellbeing of our seniors and to provide opportunities for our community members to assist in this support process and to teach the community the intrinsic value of associating with and supporting our seniors so that the future generations of tomorrow will continue to improve their support of this ever growing segment of the population.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- President
- President of the Board
What I do: I manage the fantastic volunteers who give of their time to support much needed services for seniors in our community. Without volunteers, we couldn't begin to meet the needs of our senior neighbors.
Why I do it: I do it because I've realized our aging population, especially those living alone, deserves a support system that helps them manage the challenges of daily life, from meals to social activities. They appreciate us, we are enriched by them, and the community benefits. .
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Board of Directors
- IT Director for NeighborImpact
Michael and his wife Terri have lived in Bend for more than 25 years and Michael has been the IT Director for NeighborImpact for almost 20 years. Michael attended San Jose State University and the University of Alaska Anchorage as an English Major/Creative Writing minor and enjoys many outdoor activities including, running, cycling, hiking, traveling and camping with his two dogs.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Board of Directors
Ray was born in China and moved to the United States when he was three years old. His father worked for the United Nations and was the Director of Intern Programs. Ray received a PhD in Biochemistry from Duke University. He had a career in cancer research and business development.
He is an elected member of the Deschutes Public Library District and Deschutes County Rural Fire Protection District #2 Boards. His past community service includes Volunteer State President of AARP Oregon, the Oregon State Library Board, appointment by the Governor to the Oregon Health Fund Board, and a SHIBA volunteer. Ray is a member of the Nature Printing Society and creates plant and fish prints (Gyotaku).
Ray and his wife Chris have lived in Central Oregon since 1991. They enjoy gardening, bird watching, traveling and volunteering.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Board of Directors
Sharlene worked for the County of Los Angeles for almost 33 years, first as the private secretary of a middle management personnel officer and then as a legal secretary and legal transcriber in the County's District Attorney's Office. She has also been a certified Braille proofreader, licensed by the Library of Congress, a certified Music Therapist in Germany, and, very briefly, a medical transcriber. She is a current and long term member of the American Council of the Blind. Sharlene has participated in many volunteer trips to hospitals and Senior Care homes.
What I do: I help individuals, corporations and foundations understand the services we provide and the urgent and growing need for resources to address the issues of our aging population. I build community by connecting those with abundance and those in need.
Why I do it: I believe our culture does not integrate and honor our elders in a way that guarantees basic needs such as food, shelter, safety, and security. I see people facing isolation and loneliness and fear that their stories will go unheard and their lives unnoticed.
What I do: I lead a committed team of staff members and volunteers, who work tirelessly, and with great heart, to improve the lives of our older adult neighbors in Central Oregon.
Why I do it: I've always gravitated toward older persons, to their experiences, perspective, and hard-earned wisdom. Over the decades, my life has been enriched by elders… parents, teachers, friends, mentors, and clients. This role provides an opportunity to give back, while continuing to be enriched by the lives of those we serve every day.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Treasurer of the Board
Wendy is a Certified Elder Law Attorney licensed in Oregon and Hawaii, certified by the National Foundation of Elder Law Attorneys; an Estate Planning Law Specialist and an Accredited Estate Planner®, certified by the National Association of Estate Planner and Councils. She is also a CPA licensed in Oregon.
Being an elder law attorney and CPA for over fourteen years, she has helped families in financial crisis deal with the cost of care and qualifying for Medicaid and Veterans benefits. She enjoys using her legal and financial skills to help elders and their families by giving them "peace of mind." She moved to Bend with her husband to cycle the endless roads of Oregon. She spends most of her time outdoors, swimming, biking, running, and playing with her chocolate lab.