GENERATIONS UNITED - Key Persons

Adam Hlava

Job Titles:

Director, Finance & Operations

As the Director of Finance & Operations, Adam facilitates the organization's financial and physical operations, and in addition provides logistical support for Generations United's staff and Board of Directors. Prior to joining Generations United, he has worked on several successful political campaigns, including a senate campaign in New Hampshire and a governor's campaign in Wisconsin. He also has extensive experience managing the financial operations for various statewide and national non-profit organizations. Adam holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin and loves the Green Bay Packers.

Adina Wambua

Job Titles:

Project Assistant

As the Project Assistant, Adina is responsible for assisting staff and projects of the Intergenerational Program, Policy, and National Center on Grandfamilies teams. Adina assists the staff in these departments through research, outreach, communication, and technical support. Prior to joining Generations United, Adina worked in the customer service and non-governmental sectors. She is a graduate of Shenandoah University with a BA in Media and Communications and a minor in Spanish. Her interest in intergenerational work stems from her close relationship with her grandparents and passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, attending live music events, and spending time with friends and family.

Alan Hatton-Yeo

Job Titles:

Senior Fellow

Dr. Alan Hatton-Yeo MBE is a senior fellow with Generations United and is a leading expert on intergenerational practice and positive aging. He is the founder of the Centre for Intergenerational Practice, the former Chief Executive at The Beth Johnson Foundation, former Chair of the International Consortium for Intergenerational Programmes, founder of the European Map of Intergenerational Learning network, an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Keele, and Associate Editor of the Journal for Intergenerational Relationships. While at University he worked in the holidays at Le Court Cheshire Home and also as a volunteer with Young Disabled Holidays. After completing his Masters in Organic Chemistry he decided to work with people and did his teaching qualification specializing in working with young people with Special needs. After joining the Spastics Society in 1980 he was promoted to the role of Principal Education Advisor. In this role, he was responsible for the management of the education service for England and Wales as well as being policy lead. After leaving the Spastics Society he worked as a freelance consultant for four years with roles that included project managing the reorganization of the British Red Cross to become a single national charity and being Director-General of the British Red Cross in Northern Ireland. Dr. Hatton-Yeo joined the Beth Johnson Foundation in 1998 with a brief to relaunch the Foundation to become a leading UK organisation addressing positive ageing and influencing policy. Since then he specialised in leading the development of innovative approaches to an ageing society that are evidence-based and influence policy, particularly in developing positive approaches to ageing across the life course. He aspired to contribute to developing communities and a society where people of all generations can age well and be valued for their contributions and aspirations. After retiring as CEO of the Beth Johnson Foundation in 2014, Hatton-Yeo worked for three years as the national expert lead on Age-Friendly Communities for the Ageing-Well in Wales programme and Strategic Development Manager for Volunteering Matters Wales. In a Voluntary capacity, he was Chair of Generations Working Together Scotland, a Trustee and Chair of the Dukes Theatre in Lancaster, and the Chair of the Citizen's Advice Bureau North Lancashire. Since retiring from national work in 2017, Hatton-Yeo has concentrated on voluntary work in his local area and working as a Wave Leader with Inspira on their National Citizenship Service Programme leading a number of waves for them on a contract basis. As part of this, he led the development and delivery of their pioneering Year Ten NCS programme during 2018 and 2019. Most recently, he has worked as a tutor to young people with special needs in care homes and foster homes. As part of the National Tutor Scheme, he worked two days a week at Sedbergh Primary School teaching Mathematics to pupils from all year groups. Education: BA(Hons) University of Oxford, 1974 MA(Hons), University of Oxford, 1975 Post Graduate Certificate of Education, University of Leicester, 1976

Ali Esquea

Job Titles:

Member of the Policy Committee

Alison Harte

Job Titles:

Fellow

Alison Harte has over 25 years of experience in housing and human services. She has been deeply involved for over 15 years in the development and proliferation of permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless youth, adults, and families. She is particularly proud of leading a $35M multi-year, multi-state demonstration project supported by the US Department of Health and Human Services and four national philanthropic leaders that demonstrated the positive impact of permanent supportive housing on family and child well-being. This initiative housed hundreds of families and went on to be replicated in additional locations across the country. Alison is adept at collaborating with people with lived experience, service providers, system administrators, and government officials to create and implement more efficient and coordinated responses to society's most vexing and entrenched challenges such as homelessness, foster care, and criminal justice involvement. Alison has developed and facilitated multiple technical assistance efforts to support service providers and system leaders to develop effective supportive and affordable housing models. Her technical assistance and consulting work includes qualitative research, fundraising, public resource identification and cultivation, program and policy development, evaluation, continuous quality improvement, and professional development. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a master's degree in Social Work from Boston College in Public Policy, Community Organizing, Administration, and Planning. Alison is thrilled to be back at Generations United to advance intergenerational housing models after working as one of the first Intergenerational Public Policy Coordinators in the late nineties!

Amy Templeman

Job Titles:

Member of the Policy Committee

Ana Beltran

Job Titles:

Attorney
Director, Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network: a National Technical Assistance Center

Ana Beltran is an attorney and the Director of the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network: A National Technical Assistance Center at Generations United. Ana is a national expert on Grandfamilies, authoring several Generations United publications on the subject and publishing articles in various publications and academic journals. Ana has spoken extensively about relatives raising children at national, state, and local conferences. As someone who was raised in part by her grandmother, Ana has a personal commitment to the families.

Barb Quaintance

Job Titles:

Senior Vice President of the Office of Volunteer
Senior Vice President, Office of Volunteer and Civic Engagement

Barb Quaintance is the Senior Vice President of the Office of Volunteer and Civic Engagement at AARP. This office helps redefine volunteerism by integrating flexibility with challenging opportunities that fit with the nature of our members' lives, making volunteering easier and more accessible. Barb has a rich history of collaborating with volunteers, from programs to state offices, and was instrumental in creating AARP's annual Day of Service. Barb established AARP's Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program, an early model of what ultimately grew into the State Health Insurance Programs (SHIP). She also played a lead role in AARP's State Capacity initiative. Barb also led the effort to bring Experience Corps to AARP. AARP Experience Corps is one of the nation's most highly regarded tutoring programs, which engages older adult volunteers to help improve K-3 literacy in underserved schools. Barb is a graduate of the University of Southern California and the University of Illinois.

Bill Benson

Job Titles:

Member of the Policy Committee

Brian Tokheim

Brian Tokheim is an undergraduate student at New York University, majoring in Politics at the universities' College of Arts and Sciences. Currently a junior, he will graduate from NYU in May of 2025. In his studies, Brian focuses on public policy making and law. He plans to attend law school after he attains his bachelor's degree. While in school, he further enriched his college experience by volunteering for Crisis Text Line, a nonprofit that provides a form for people experiencing mental health emergencies. Brian was a counselor with the nonprofit and directly provided support to people who reached out. At 20 years old, Brian became Generations United's youngest representative to the United Nation Social and Economic Counsel, where he is able to provide a younger voice in an area where younger voices are often unrepresented.

Bruce Astrein

Job Titles:

Senior Fellow

For over four decades, Bruce has worked on a number of concerns relating to the healthy and full development of children, youth, families and their communities in Michigan, Massachusetts, DC, New York, Arizona and New Orleans. During this time, he has held numerous leadership positions within the non-profit, public and philanthropic sectors. Earlier in his career, Bruce directed a small research and consulting firm that worked extensively on a wide range of issues: poverty and welfare; public education reform; intergenerational and elder issues; youth development; childcare and family support; employment and training; health care; human services; and community development. Bruce's interest in aging issues began roughly 40 years ago in Boston, where he did extensive research, advocacy, program and policy work. It continued during his years in philanthropy, as he helped design, implement and support various intergenerational efforts, including a statewide "Communities for All Ages" Initiative in Arizona.

Carson De Fries

Job Titles:

Researcher / University of Denver Graduate

Carson De Fries is a PhD student at the University of Denver's Graduate School of Social Work. She received her MSW with a Concentration in Aging Services and Policy from the University of Denver and a BA in Psychology from the University of Kansas. After receiving her MSW degree, De Fries worked as the Intergenerational Program Coordinator at the University of Denver's Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging where she conducted community-based research on the impacts of intergenerational programs. Her research interests include evaluating best practices for the development and implementation of intergenerational programs, how they impact social isolation and ageism, and developing community-level interventions to grow social networks for older adults.

Chelsi Rhoades

Job Titles:

Public Policy and Advocacy Specialist

Chelsi Rhoades is the Public Policy and Advocacy Specialist at Generations United where she focuses on advancing public policy and advocacy efforts surrounding intergenerational policy and programs, coordinating Generations United's Policy Committee, and educating policymakers on issues impacting older adults and children. Prior to joining GU, Chelsi graduated from The Ohio State University's John Glenn College of Public Affairs with a degree in public policy and economics and interned at the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) and Public Children's Services Association of Ohio (PCSAO).

Cody Burch - COO, Treasurer

Job Titles:

Chief Operating Officer
Treasurer
Chief Operating Officer for GHR Healthcare

Cody Burch currently serves as Chief Operating Officer for GHR Healthcare. He brings 15 years of experience in healthcare recruitment, business operations, and financial management. In his previous role, he served as Executive Vice President of B.E. Smith, an AMN Healthcare division dedicated to premier full-service executive leadership solutions. The many roles that Mr. Burch held at B.E. Smith since joining the organization in 2005 allowed him to gain a thorough understanding of market trends in healthcare and of the unique demands faced by hospital leaders and healthcare systems. Mr. Burch holds a Master of Business Administration from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri, as well as a Bachelor of Economics and a Bachelor of Business Administration from William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Constance Jones

Job Titles:

Office Assistant

As the Office Assistant, Constance is responsible for maintaining Generations United database and general office duties. Constance has over 10 years' experience in the non-profit industry. Constance has also worked in both the corporate and private sectors. Prior to joining Generations United, Constance volunteered as a Foster Grandparent for United Planning Organization. She also worked at the American Red Cross, as Manager, responsible for recruiting volunteer blood donors in order to meet the demand for whole blood in the community. Constance has a passion for intergenerational families as she is currently raising her three grandchildren.

Daniel Hains

Job Titles:

Member of the Policy Committee

Danny Melgoza

Job Titles:

Member of the Board
Chief Strategy Officer / National Association of Counties
NACo‘S Chief Strategy Officer

Danny Melgoza serves as NACo‘s chief strategy officer, assisting the CEO/executive director with executive leadership and management, including oversight of the association's strategic objectives and key results. In his capacity, he also serves as NACo chief of staff, fostering a team-oriented, inclusive and performance-based environment. He acts as a lead communicator and liaison internally and externally, including with members, teammates, partners and stakeholders. Prior to joining NACo, Danny served 14 years in public policy and management positions at San Diego County, Calif., including most recently as chief of staff to Supervisor Greg Cox. Previously, he worked at Seattle City Light, IBM, Xerox Corporation and ALDI Foods. He hails from Kansas City, Mo. He and his wife Monica recently welcomed their first-born child.

David Simmons

Job Titles:

Member of the Policy Committee

Donna Butts

Job Titles:

Executive Director

Executive Director Donna Butts is our primary spokesperson and has considerable experience giving interviews, on-camera, in person, or by phone. Donna and our other content experts are listed below. Donna Butts is the Executive Director of Generations United, a position she has held since 1997. For more than 30 years, Butts has worked tirelessly to promote the well-being of children, youth and older adults through nonprofit organizations across the country and around the world. She began her career in her home state of Oregon as a youth worker with the YWCA, where she worked one-on-one with teens and saw the positive effects of intergenerational programs firsthand. Butts has held leadership positions with Covenant House, a New York-based international youth serving organization, and the National 4-H Council. She served as the Executive Director for the National Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy, Parenting and Prevention before taking the helm of Generations United. An internationally sought-after speaker, author and advocate, Butts frequently speaks on intergenerational connections, grandparents raising grandchildren and policies effective across the lifespan. Her commentary has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Christian Science Monitor and the Wall Street Journal. She has been interviewed on the TODAY Show, National Public Radio and ABC News, and was invited by the United Nations to sit on four expert panels most recently on intergenerational solidarity and social cohesion in preparation for the 2014 20th anniversary of the International Year or the Family. In 2004, Butts was honored with the National Council on Aging's Jack Ossofsky for Leadership, Creativity, and Innovation in Programs and Services for Older Persons. She served as a 2005 delegate to the White House Conference on Aging. A respected author, she has written countless articles, chapters and publications regarding the welfare of children, youth and older adults. Butts received her undergraduate degree from Marylhurst College and is a graduate of Stanford University's Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders. She is a former chair of the board of the International Consortium of Intergenerational Programmes (ICIP) and serves on the board of the Journal of Intergenerational Relationships. She was recognized three years in a row (2012, 2013 and 2014) by The Nonprofit Times as one of the Top 50 most powerful and influential nonprofit executives in the nation. In 2015, she was named one of the Top 50 Influencers in Aging by Next Avenue. Under her leadership, Generations United received the 2015 Eisner Prize for Excellence in Intergenerational Advocacy. Recently she was honored with one of the 2017 International Federation for Family Development Awards.

Dr. Anita Rogers

Job Titles:

Senior Fellow

Dr. Anita Rogers has been involved with the delivery of education, civil rights, human services, reentry programming, violence prevention, victim assistance and mental health in varied capacities: administrator, fundraiser, program developer, evaluator, strategic planner, teacher, and trainer. As a development consultant, she has raised millions of dollars to help nonprofit and government agencies provide services to underserved populations, especially people of color. Dr. Rogers' clients are wide and varied and include such notables as the Tuskegee Airmen, Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Philadelphia Department of Human Services, School District of Philadelphia, United Way, Opportunities Industrialization Centers (OIC) of America and Philadelphia, National Urban League, North Carolina Division of Aging, US Center for Mental Health Services, and the US Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. She is particularly proud of the national school-based substance abuse prevention curriculum she developed in and adopted by the government of Malaysia on behalf of the US State Department. Dr. Rogers also coordinated a national mentoring project, Linking Lifetimes, in 11 American cities for high-risk youth and a kinship support program, Grandma's Kids, under the Temple University Center for Intergenerational Learning which has served as a national model. Dr. Rogers was the first Executive Director of the Philadelphia Martin Luther King Center for Nonviolence where she worked closely with Coretta Scott King and other civil rights icons. She initiated the first latter-day freedom rides taking youth from Philadelphia to southern civil rights historic cities/locations arranged for them to meet with such notables as Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King, Andrew Young and many unsung heroes of the movement. Dr. Rogers' community work has been recognized by many national and international Who's Who, and she has many local honors. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Temple University, master's degree in special education from Antioch University, and a PhD in educational psychology from Temple University.

Dr. Christy Nishita

Job Titles:

Researcher / University of Hawaii at Manoa
Researcher at the Office of Public Health Studies

Dr. Christy Nishita is a gerontologist and applied, community-based researcher at the Office of Public Health Studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. As a consultant for Age-Friendly Honolulu, Coordinator of the "From the Field" section in the Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, and Board Member for the Hawaii Intergenerational Network, she has developed, implemented, and evaluated programs that pair diverse older and younger generations in order to address social isolation, improve pedestrian safety, and create "Dementia Friends". She has also partnered with high schools in Hawaii to teach about aging, provide intergenerational activities, and foster career development in aging.

Ellen Amstutz

Job Titles:

Senior Program Officer for Community Based Programs and External Affairs at DOROT

Ellen Amstutz is Senior Program Officer for Community Based Programs and External Affairs at DOROT, a New York City based non-profit organization. DOROT, which means generations in Hebrew, provides innovative programs to reduce social isolation among older people and enable them to live independently in the community. DOROT brings the generations together to learn from one another through a range of mutually rewarding volunteer experiences for all ages.

Emily Patrick

Job Titles:

Senior Manager

As Senior Manager for Generations United, Emily Patrick manages a range of projects that strengthen the connections between generations, such as tool development, publications, and recognition programs. Inspired by her work with Neighbors Growing Together, a shared-site intergenerational program at Virginia Tech, Emily developed a strong passion for supporting meaningful engagement every stage of life. Her professional experience includes work with THE GREEN HOUSE® Project, a national effort to transform the culture of long-term care, and RSVP-Northern Virginia, a regional initiative to match the skills and experience of volunteers ages 55+ with critical community needs. Emily received her B.S. in Human Development and Graduate Certificate in Gerontology from Virginia Tech.

Ernest Gonzales

Job Titles:

Associate Professor
Associate Professor, Director of the MSW Program at NYU Silver

Ernest Gonzales is an Associate Professor, Director of the MSW Program at NYU Silver, and Director of The Center for Health and Aging Innovation. He is a scholar in the areas of productive aging (employment, volunteering, and caregiving), health equity, discrimination and social policy.

Fabiola Venegas-Ramos

Job Titles:

Digital Communications Coordinator

Fabiola Venegas-Ramos is the Digital Communications Coordinator at Generations United. They are responsible for coordinating and creating key digital communications activities for Generations United, including social media, email marketing, website(s), and cross-platform analytics and reporting. Prior to joining Generations United, Fabiola graduated from Saint John's University with their Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Gender Studies. Their passion for digital engagement, storytelling, and creative content development fuels their interests in engaging Generations United's expansive constituency through digital communications.

Gerri Mason Hall

Job Titles:

Member of the Board
C - Suite Leader
Member of the UNCF Board

Gerri Mason Hall is a C-suite leader with more than 25 years' experience in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Her journey ranged from legal compliance, to human capital engagement, to cultural and social transformation. In December 2020 she joined NetApp as its first VP Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging. Since 2006 Gerri held a series of senior level roles at Sodexo, including Chief Diversity Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer for the Americas, leveraging her employment law acumen with her passion for human capital engagement and unshakeable belief that corporations can and will advance social change. Gerri spent eight years at Amtrak, the US national passenger railroad. She was instrumental in settling a class action lawsuit avoiding millions of dollars in protracted litigation. Augmenting her commitment to Inclusion and advancing the underserved, Gerri is a member of the UNCF Board and sits on its Audit and HR Committees. She is a Board member of the Congressional Hunger Center and the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation and provides pro bono D&I counsel to a host of non-profit organizations. Gerri is a graduate of Vassar College and the George Washington University National Law Center.

Ilonka Walker

Job Titles:

Coordinator
Coordinator, Intergenerational Programs

Ilonka Walker is the Coordinator, Intergenerational Programs at Generations United where she is responsible for coordinating key intergenerational program activities including the diverse intergenerational programs initiative. In this role she works to amplify and expand the diversity of intergenerational programs that bring younger and older people together across the country. Prior to joining Generations United, Ilonka received both her BS in Psychology and Masters in Gerontology from Virginia Commonwealth University's College of Health Professions. She also was an Age Wave Scholar Fellow at the Greater Richmond Age Wave Coalition: Longevity Project.

Irv Katz

Job Titles:

Senior Fellow
Senior Fellow Emeritus

Irv joined Generations United as a Senior Fellow in December of 2017. The focus of his work for GU is on techniques and partnerships that make it possible and desirable for localities to weave intergenerational strategies for diverse aspects of community life-from intergenerational programs and facilities to intergenerational housing-into local plans for the future. Irv Katz is former President & CEO of the National Human Services Assembly, a leading association of national nonprofit human service networks, a post he held from 2001-2015. Much of his career prior to that was with United Way, including stints as an SVP at United Way of America (now United Way Worldwide) and as President of the United Way of Central Indiana (Indianapolis and environs), though his career began at an historic settlement house, also in Indianapolis. Katz has transitioned from a single full-time job to an encore career as a freelance consultant and as a Senior Fellow at Generations United. A prolific networker and writer, Irv is passionate about the nonprofit and human service sectors and the critical roles they play in individual, family, community and national well-being.

Jaia Peterson Lent

Job Titles:

Deputy Executive Director

As Deputy Executive Director, Jaia assists the executive director with leadership, management, policy, fundraising, and operational matters. She leads GU's policy work educating Congress on intergenerational issues, coordinating a diverse group of organizations serving on GU's Policy Committee, overseeing grassroots outreach efforts, and presenting at national and international conferences. Jaia received her Masters of Social Work from Syracuse University. She is a licensed social worker who has worked in Child Protective Services, refugee resettlement, and in many other capacities with individuals and families from a variety of cultural backgrounds.

Jamarl D. Clark

Job Titles:

Assistant Director, National Center on Grandfamilies

As the Assistant Director of Generations United's National Center on Grandfamilies Jamarl D. Clark is responsible for helping direct the Center's work including overseeing grandfamilies' engagement, creating and ensuring the quality of the Center's publications and resources, conducting federal advocacy, and leading the kinship navigator collaborative. For over a decade, Clark has served as a trusted thought partner to non-profit organizations with a focus on leadership, team building, and strategic planning. Through his work as a nonprofit and program development leader for national organizations, Clark brings an arsenal of well-developed management tools to Generations United. Prior to coming to Generations United, Clark served as the Executive Director of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Program Manager for Plaza West, the first grandfamily residential affordable-housing project in the District of Columbia,, and worked with corporate and government agencies to support the co-founding of the Community Corps program for Jumpstart for Young Children, in Washington D.C.

Janet McUlsky

Job Titles:

Member of the Board
President / McUlsky Health Force LLC

Janet is a nationally recognized expert and innovator in the field of stakeholder alliance development and programming. Her background encompasses work on Capitol Hill, campaign and issue management, strategic communications, and long-term experience working side by side with healthcare and patient advocates across the U.S. Janet was with Pfizer from 2001 to 2020 - serving her entire tenure in the National Alliance Development arena - working to establish a new manner of long-term trusting partnerships for the pharmaceutical industry with nonprofit patient advocacy organizations. As the Senior Director, Janet developed many of the best in class programs, including the Pfizer Health

Jatrice Martel Gaiter - EVP

Job Titles:

Executive Vice President
Vice Chair
Executive Vice President, External Affairs for Volunteers of America

Jatrice Martel Gaiter serves as executive vice president, external affairs for Volunteers of America, one of the nation's largest and most-comprehensive human service charities. Gaiter works to build national awareness for the organization and support its mission to provide programs and services to help people reach their potential. She provides managerial and strategic oversight of Volunteers of America's national marketing, development, communications and public policy departments. More broadly, Gaiter is passionate about the nonprofit sector's strength and relevance, which has been reflected in her work as immediate past board chair of the National Human Services Assembly, a blogger for The NonProfit Times and an active voice on Twitter as @Ms_Nonprofit. She is a frequent speaker on nonprofit management, health, social justice and women's issues.

Joseph P. Cuticelli - Chairman, COO

Job Titles:

Chairman
COO
Partner
COO of Phoenix3 Holdings LLC
Partner and COO / Phoenix3 Holdings LLC / Vice Chair

Joseph Cuticelli is a partner and COO of Phoenix3 Holdings LLC. Prior to this position he was the managing partner of Marleon Capital and head of Seniors for Sodexo North America, responsible for a business with $720 million in annual revenues that serves more than 400 client locations. Mr. Cuticelli was a member of the North America Regional Leadership Committee for Sodexo, the 18th largest employer in the world and the leader in delivering integrated facilities management, food service operations and recognition programs in 80 countries. With $9 billion in annual revenues in the U.S. and Canada, Sodexo's 133,000 employees provide more than 100 unique services that improve performance for 9,000 client partners and improve Quality of Life for 15 million consumers every day. Previously, Mr. Cuticelli was Vice President of Client Relations for Sodexo Seniors, where he developed and executed a successful long-term retention strategy and exceeding financial and sales targets, and introduced Jazzman's Café to senior living residences. He has experience in operations management, sales, strategic planning and culinary expertise as well as direct industry knowledge across multiple business segments to his new role. At Sodexo, he has held positions that include Vice President of Client Relations for Seniors, Director of Business Development for Education, District Manager for Seniors and Area General Manager for Seniors.

Juan Williams

Job Titles:

Correspondent and Journalist

Karen Gillespie

Job Titles:

Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator, National Center on Grandfamilies

Karen Gillespie is the Project Coordinator, National Center on Grandfamilies at Generations United, where she supports program implementation and special projects for the National Center on Grandfamilies. Karen has served as a Generations United GRAND Voice member for 4 years. Prior to joining Generations United, she founded and served as the Executive Director of Generations Together, Inc., a not-for-profit intergenerational resource center focused on kinship care (grandparents or other kin), intergenerational activities, and children and youth education and enrichment. Karen holds a bachelor's in Business Administration from Robert Morris College. Karen's life experience as a kinship caretaker is what fuels her passion to facilitate legacy enrichment experiences for other intergenerational caregivers. Her drive to bridge the intergenerational gaps by matching resources with families in need supports the mission of Generations United: Connecting children, youth, and adults of different ages to come together in purposeful, mutually beneficial activities that promote understanding, respect, and relationship building.

Kati Mapa

Job Titles:

Member of the Policy Committee

Kendra Kuehn

Job Titles:

Member of the Policy Committee

Kevin Brabazon

Job Titles:

Associate Professor at New York University

Kevin Brabazon is an Associate Professor at New York University, Stern Business School and lectures at the Tandon School of Engineering, teaching in statistics, information systems, and management science. He is a former professor/Lecturer in intergenerational studies at Dowling College and Brookdale Center on Aging at Hunter College, and in gerontology at La Guardia College, CUNY.

Kristin Bodiford

Job Titles:

Fellow
Representative to the United Nations' Committee

Kristin Bodiford, Ph.D, brings experience and knowledge working with systems, communities, organizations, groups, teams, and individuals addressing opportunities for learning, innovation, and transformation. She is a Health Advisor with HelpAge USA developing global health strategies and building corporate and foundation partnerships to support the work of HelpAge International. In this work, she leads teams in data digitization and collection, global analysis and visualization, and human-centered design of program and policy responses working to improve the health of over 50,000 older persons and their families in low- and middle-income countries. Kristin also serves as a representative to the United Nations' Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSC) for Generations United and Council Leader, Network on Environments, Services and Technologies for Maximizing Independence (NEST) Constituent Group, American Society on Aging. She serves as faculty at Dominican University School of Social Work and designed a course for students to collaborate in community action research in Uganda. In addition, Kristin served as a principal investigator for a national study Improving the Health of Older Persons in Uganda: Developing intergenerational community based responses through action research; developed and provided training and technical assistance to an initiative in Kibaha, Tanzania to strengthen intergenerational and family-centered community based responses to improve health across the life course; and was a core project team member for the scaling up of the Social Gerontology Manal is Uganda. She has a passion for intergenerational work and has published several resources about how to strengthen intergenerational relationships and collaboration. Her research interests focus on how we can tap into and strengthen relational resources to propel social innovation and co-create generative possibilities in people's lives and in the world. Kristin holds a Ph.D. from Tilburg University and an MBA from University of California, Davis. Kristin has extensive experience working to create more age-friendly and livable communities for all ages including producing Creating Aging-Friendly Communities, an international online conference and community of practice in partnership with UC Berkeley School for Social Welfare.