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.
ASA brings together leaders from the business, academic, government and nonprofit communities in aging. To unite, empower and champion our members, we have committed to the following strategic plan and priorities:
Our Strategic Plan
Approved in 2019, our five-year strategic plan was devised to ensure ASA’s impact on optimizing the quality of life for older adults in America. By 2024, ASA will continue to lead the field of aging, institute stronger diversity, equity and inclusion practices, expand our membership and launch our policy and advocacy efforts.
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
Examining the longevity economy, education and training opportunities across the life course, work and retirement structures, economic instability, healthcare costs and aging-in-community
Promoting elder justice, social movements, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and the exploration of intersections between aging and racism, homophobia, gender-based or religious discrimination
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
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
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.
Peter Kaldes, Esq.
CEO and President of the American Society on Aging
Peter Kaldes joined ASA in March 2020 and at the start of the global pandemic. His visionary and innovative leadership is transforming how ASA unites, empowers and champions everyone working to improve aging. Before joining ASA, Kaldes was President and CEO of the South Florida Institute on Aging (SoFIA) where he led the transformation of a 55-year-old, community-based organization by launching new programming, impactful thought leadership and nearly doubling its budget. Prior to SoFIA, Kaldes led a $20 million philanthropic economic development portfolio as a senior executive at JP Morgan Chase & Co. He also has a distinguished career in public service including as senior economic policy advisor in the Obama White House, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Senate. Kaldes began his career as an international litigator at the global firm of Weil Gotshal. He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and Tufts University.
ASA's Board of Directors
Senior Associate Dean, Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California
Vice President, Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing
ASA Staff
Peter Kaldes, Esq.
President & CEO
Robert R. Lowe
Chief Operating Officer
Cindy Morris
Vice President, Development and Community Engagement
Patrice Dickerson, PhD
Director, Programs & Thought Leadeship
Vicky Nguyen
Director, Finance and Accounting
Adi Goldstein
Manager, Development
Mazie Soto
Systems Coordinator
Jacki Bennett
Chief of Staff
Leanne Clark-Shirley, PhD
Vice President, Programs & Thought Leadership
Alison Biggar
Editorial Director
Betsy Dorsett
Manager, Community Engagement
Patricia Morazan
Program Coordinator
Jen Rivera
Membership Engagement Manager
Christopher Berno
Executive Consultant and Acting CTO