The ASA Award is intended to create visibility for the field of aging, and is presented to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to aging-related research, administration or advocacy. Nominees must be current ASA members and will be judged on their contributions to aging-related service, including the impact their work has had on national policy or programs, and their professional reputation as a leader on aging issues.

Winners will receive a profile in the Aging in America Conference program book, recognition by peers and complimentary conference registration.

Click here to learn more about the 2013 Award Presentations at the Aging in America Conference in Chicago.

2013 ASA Award Winner

Ken Dychtwald, Ph.D.

Over the past 35+ years, Dr. Ken Dychtwald has emerged as North America’s foremost visionary and original thinker regarding the lifestyle, marketing, healthcare and workforce implications of the age wave.  He is a psychologist, gerontologist, documentary filmmaker, entrepreneur and best-selling author of sixteen books on aging-related issues, including Bodymind, Age Wave: The Challenges and Opportunities of an Aging Society, Age Power: How the 21^st Century Will be Ruled by the New Old, The Power Years: A User’s Guide to the Rest of Your Life, Workforce Crisis: How to Beat the Coming Shortage of Skills and Talent and a children’s book, Gideon’s Dream: A Tale of New Beginnings.  His most recent book is A New Purpose: Redefining Money, Family, Work, Retirement and Success.  In 2007, he had his debut as a documentary filmmaker and host with the highly rated/acclaimed PBS special The Boomer Century: 1946-2046. 

Ken Dychtwald has served as a fellow of the World Economic Forum and is the recipient of the distinguished American Society on Aging Award for outstanding national leadership in the field of aging.  American Demographics Magazine honored him as the single most influential marketer to boomers over the past quarter century.  His article in The Harvard Business Review, “It’s Time to Retire Retirement,” was awarded the prestigious McKinsey Award, tying for first place with the legendary Peter Drucker. 

In 1986, Ken became the founding President and CEO of Age Wave, a firm created to guide Fortune 500 companies and government groups in product/service development for boomers and mature adults.  His explorations and innovative solutions have fertilized and catalyzed a broad spectrum of industry sectors—from vitamins and cookies to automotive design and retail merchandising to mutual funds and health insurance. 

Dr. Dychtwald has addressed more than two million people worldwide in speeches to corporate, association, social service and government groups.  His strikingly accurate predictions and innovative ideas are regularly featured in leading print and electronic media worldwide, including: The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Financial Times, Fortune, Time, Newsweek, Business Week, U.S. News and World Report, The Economist, HK Daily News, South China Morning Post, The Standard, 60 Minutes, Good Morning America, ABC World News Tonight, Today Show, PBS, NPR and BBC.

Through highly acclaimed presentations, breakthrough research and consulting initiatives, and his leadership within both the social science and business communities, Ken Dychtwald has dedicated is life to battling ageist stereotypes while promoting a new, vital and meaningful role for life’s second half.