Mo-Kyung Sin is a professor at Seattle University College of Nursing. Her research focus includes vascular disease, ADRD, and biomarkers for cerebral amyloid angiopathy.

Ali Ahmed, MD, MPH, is Associate Chief of Staff for Health and Aging at the Washington DC VA Medical Center and Professor of Medicine at George Washington University and Georgetown University, Washington, DC. Dr. Ahmed is a nationally and internationally recognized expert on chronic heart failure in older adults. His work is funded by NIH and VA, and he has presented and published extensively. He is the recipient of the 2024 GSA Health Science Section’s Joseph T. Freeman Award lectureship in geriatrics. The title of his talk was “Improving Care and Outcomes for Older Adults: Propensity Score Matching to Artificial Intelligence,” in which he described his two decades of work on the role of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors on kidneys in patients with heart failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Ali is the 2024 Joseph T. Freeman Award recipient.

Roger A. Fielding, Ph.D. is a Senior Scientist with the Metabolism and Basic Biology of Aging Directive at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. He is also a Professor of Nutrition at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, a Professor of Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine, and the Associate Director of the Boston Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center. He has published over 300 peer-reviewed papers(H-index 117). He is a Deputy Editor of the Journals of Gerontology Medical Sciences and Calcified Tissues International and Musculoskeletal Research. In 2015, he received the Olof Johnell Science Award from the International Osteoporosis Foundation, and in 2021, he received the Herbert Fleisch Medal from the same organization. In 2024, he received the Excellence in Rehabilitation of Aging Persons Award from the Gerontological Society of America.

Megan Huisingh-Scheetz, MD MPH is an Assistant Professor in the Section of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at the University of Chicago. As a clinician investigator and NIA K23 recipient, her research has focused on understanding how objectively measured activity and sedentary behavior patterns, resting metabolic rate, and body composition relate to frailty progression and frailty-related outcomes. Through her work, she analyzes accelerometry data to assess and trend activity patterns as markers of frailty. In partnership with NORC and Orbita, Inc, Dr. Huisingh-Scheetz also developed and is studying the impact of EngAGE, a technology-based tool utilizing a voice assistant to deliver exercise programming to older adults in their home to reduce frailty. The program leverages caregivers to provide social motivation to the older adult to simultaneously combat loneliness. She also helped establish and now co-directs the Successful Aging and Frailty Evaluation™ (SAFE) clinic in which she assesses and manages frail older adults in consultation. 

Caroline Adams has been on staff with GSA since 2019 and manages the Governance, Awards, and Fellows programs. 

Dr. Cacchione is the Ralston House Term Chair in Gerontological Nursing, Professor of Geropsychiatric Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, and Nurse Scientist at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. She is a Gerontological Nurse Practitioner who has practiced for over 30 years across the care continuum. She is a nurse innovator. Her research focuses on social robotics for older adults. She is the CEO and Founder of AgingSense, a startup technology company to improve the lives of older adults. Dr Cacchione received her BSN from Villanova University, MSN from Marymount University, and PhD from Saint Louis University. She completed postdoctoral training at the University of Iowa. Dr. Cacchione has over 100 publications and is the Past Editor in Chief of Clinical Nursing Research and International Journal. Dr. Cacchione is a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America and the American Academy of Nursing.

Mo-Kyung Sin is a professor at Seattle University College of Nursing. Her research focus includes vascular disease, ADRD, and biomarkers for cerebral amyloid angiopathy.

Dr. Elizabeth Vásquez is an Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University at Albany School of Public Health and the Director of the Center for Elimination of Minority Health Disparities. Dr. Vásquez's research examines the individual-level indicators and the ecological impact of social context, which contributes to differential health outcomes in older racial and ethnically diverse populations, in particular, Latinos. Dr. Vásquez is a fellow with the Sustained Training in Aging and HIV Research (STAHR) program and an affiliated investigator with the Study of Latinos (SOL). She is an alumna of Programs to Increase Diversity among Individuals Engaged in Health-Related Research (PRIDE), the National Institute of Aging Butler-Williams Scholars Program, and the Hispanic Leadership Institute (HLI).

Brian Lindberg is a Washington, DC-based advocate, policy educator, and lobbyist. He serves as a public policy advisor to several organizations, including the Gerontological Society of America and the National Association for Geriatric Education. Brian has served on many boards and advisory panels, including for the Institute of Medicine, CMS, NAIC, and the Planning Committee for the National Quality Forum (appointed by Vice President Gore). Currently, Brian serves on the Board of Visitors of the College of Public Health at Temple University. Brian worked in Congress for ten years on the House Select Committee on Aging and the Senate Special Committee on Aging. He holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Temple University and a Master’s degree in Management of Human Services from Brandeis University. He studied at the University of Stockholm’s International Graduate School.

Patricia M. D’Antonio, BSPharm, MS, MBA, BCGP is the Vice President of Policy and Professional Affairs for the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) and a board-certified geriatric pharmacist. Ms. D’Antonio directs GSA’s policy initiatives and is responsible for developing relationships with organizations in the aging arena. She represents GSA on several policy coalitions and serves as co-chair for the Adult Vaccine Access Coalition, president of the board of the Protecting Access to Pain Relief, and a member of the steering committee for several federally focused coalitions. Ms. D’Antonio is also the executive director for the National Center to Reframe Aging, the central hub to advance the long-term social change endeavor designed to improve the public’s understanding of what aging means and the many ways that older people contribute to our society. Additionally, she serves on the leadership team of the Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research National Coordinating Center.

Allison (Alli) Hamburger is a Policy Analyst at Healthsperien, where she supports projects focused on Medicaid and Medicare policy, including aging, integrated care for dually eligible individuals, and long-term services and supports (LTSS). She helps clients navigate complex policy changes and develop strategic recommendations for advocacy, regulatory engagement, and business decisions. Her work includes leading multi-stakeholder policy workgroups, drafting thought leadership reports, and advancing initiatives to improve care coordination for marginalized populations. Prior to joining Healthsperien, Alli was an Associate at Avalere, providing policy analysis and strategic recommendations related to the Medicare and Medicaid programs. During her graduate studies, she gained a deeper understanding of federal health policy as a Fellow at HHS’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE). Alli holds a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University’s McCourt School and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Public Policy from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Rachel Jordan is a health policy consultant with four years of experience in behavioral health policy and non-profit management. As a Policy Analyst, Rachel leads strategic planning initiatives, policy analysis, and federal advocacy efforts, driven by a passion for addressing systemic health disparities and improving behavioral health outcomes. She actively contributes to Healthsperien’s non-profit partners, which includes overseeing the advocacy efforts of the Foundation for Social Connection Action Network and the day-to-day operations of ACTNow for Mental Health. Prior to Rachel’s experience in policy and regulatory analysis, she supported health communication efforts for Healthsperien clients and non-profit partners. Additionally, during her time as an undergraduate student, she held positions in the U.S. Senate and supported digital campaigns for progressive candidates. Rachel has a B.A. in Justice and Law with a concentration in Criminal Justice and a minor in Public Health from American University.

Serving as Policy Director for NPHI, Ethan is responsible for leading a wide range of initiatives including, but not limited to, monitoring policy and regulatory developments, interfacing with industry and government officials, preparing collateral materials, assisting with event planning, and providing strategic guidance to advance the priorities of the Partnership and its members. Ethan also plays a critical role in supporting the work of the NPHI Innovation Lab, where he provides policy and project management oversight. Prior to joining NPHI and Healthsperien, Ethan held multiple public policy-focused roles, namely, with the National Coalition on Health Care, where he was involved in communications, message development, and policy analysis efforts. He also spent time with Wynne Health Group, one of the preeminent healthcare policy consulting firms in DC, where he assisted in servicing their diverse set of clients. Additionally, Ethan has prior experience in the congressional office of Senator Michael Bennet.

Brian Lindberg is a Washington, DC-based advocate, policy educator, and lobbyist. He serves as a public policy advisor to several organizations, including the Gerontological Society of America and the National Association for Geriatric Education. Brian has served on many boards and advisory panels, including for the Institute of Medicine, CMS, NAIC, and the Planning Committee for the National Quality Forum (appointed by Vice President Gore). Currently, Brian serves on the Board of Visitors of the College of Public Health at Temple University. Brian worked in Congress for ten years on the House Select Committee on Aging and the Senate Special Committee on Aging. He holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Temple University and a Master’s degree in Management of Human Services from Brandeis University. He studied at the University of Stockholm’s International Graduate School.

Robert “Bob” Blancato is the president of Matz, Blancato & Associates in Washington, DC. In that capacity, he serves as the Executive Director of the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs, the National Coordinator of the Elder Justice Coalition, and the National Coordinator for the Defeat Malnutrition Today coalition. Bob’s prior work includes more than 20 years of public service, including 17 years as a senior staffer in the House of Representatives. President Clinton appointed him to serve as the Executive Director of the 1995 White House Conference on Aging, one of four he has participated in. Bob is a member of the Senior Executive Service. Bob is recognized as a national policy advocate for older adults and has testified on numerous occasions before Senate and House Committees, most recently in 2022 before the House Appropriations Labor-HHS Education Subcommittee. As a volunteer, he currently serves as the second vice chair on the AARP Board of Directors and is a member of the AARP Foundation Board. In 2024, Bob was appointed to the Next50 Foundation’s Board of Trustees. He serves on the National Hispanic Council on Aging Board. He has previously served as the chair of the American Society on Aging and the board of the National Council on Aging. Bob has been appointed to several federal advisory commissions, most recently the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services. Bob was inducted into the American Society of Aging’s Hall of Fame in 2022. In 2023, he was awarded Generations United’s highest advocacy award.

Patricia M. D’Antonio, BSPharm, MS, MBA, BCGP is the Vice President of Policy and Professional Affairs for the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) and a board-certified geriatric pharmacist. Ms. D’Antonio directs GSA’s policy initiatives and is responsible for developing relationships with organizations in the aging arena. She represents GSA on several policy coalitions and serves as co-chair for the Adult Vaccine Access Coalition, president of the board of the Protecting Access to Pain Relief, and a member of the steering committee for several federally focused coalitions. Ms. D’Antonio is also the executive director for the National Center to Reframe Aging, the central hub to advance the long-term social change endeavor designed to improve the public’s understanding of what aging means and the many ways that older people contribute to our society. Additionally, she serves on the leadership team of the Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research National Coordinating Center.

Andrew MacPherson is the Founding Principal & Managing Partner at Healthsperien, LLC, with two decades of federal and state healthcare legislative and regulatory policy and political experience. Andrew co-leads a team of over forty experts who specialize in developing comprehensive legislative & regulatory policy strategies, in-depth analyses, and strategic advocacy & communications initiatives for a wide range of health care organizations, including Fortune 100 businesses, public sector purchasers, national health plans, professional associations, issue-based coalitions, health care start-ups and market innovators, and not-for-profit providers. He has a special emphasis and speaks regularly to national audiences on policy and political issues related to person-centered healthcare delivery transformation, including the public health crisis of social isolation and loneliness in the U.S., value-based insurance design (V-BID), and person-centered advanced illness and end-of-life care delivery.

Patricia D’Antonio is the Vice President of Policy and Professional Affairs for The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) and a board-certified geriatric pharmacist. Trish directs GSA’s policy initiatives and is responsible for developing relationships with organizations in the aging arena.  

Trish represents GSA on several policy coalitions and serves as co-chair for the Adult Vaccine Access Coalition, president of the board of the Protecting Access to Pain Relief. Additionally, she serves as the Executive Director for the National Center to Reframe Aging, the central hub to advance the long-term social change endeavor designed to improve the public’s understanding of what aging means and the many ways that older people contribute to our society. Before joining GSA, Trish served as Executive Director for the District of Columbia Board of Pharmacy and Program Manager for the Pharmaceutical Control Division, where she was responsible for the regulatory and policy development for the practice of pharmacy and served as liaison to the FDA, DEA, and other federal, state, and city organizations that promote safe handling of medications. A Pennsylvania native, she received her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Duquesne University and her Master of Science in Health Finance and Master in Business Administration with a concentration in health care from Temple University. She completed a residency in administration and finance at The Philadelphia Geriatric Center.

Jeein Jang is a third-year PhD student in the Gerontology Department at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Welfare from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master’s in Public Policy and Social Policy from the Korea Development Institute School of Public Policy and Management. Jeein's research centers on aging policies that promote equitable and healthy aging, with a particular focus on underrepresented populations. Specifically, she investigates the role of neighborhood environments in shaping population-level racial and ethnic health inequalities and collective behaviors among older adults.

Samuel Van Vleet is a 4th year doctoral candidate in the Department of Sociology and Gerontology at Miami University. His research focuses on the role of social inequity in determining later life outcomes for marginalized older adult populations. Samuel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Applied Gerontology and a Master’s degree in Gerontological Studies. His dissertation examines the impact of gentrification on later-life displacement of marginalized older adults in historically redlined areas. This research fills a critical gap by exploring the intersection of gerontology and spatial justice, providing insights that inform policy and community planning to protect older adults from displacement. Outside academia, Samuel advocates for social justice through documentary filmmaking and community outreach programs.