Featured Speakers

 

Sandy Markwood, CEO, National Association of Area Agencies on Aging

Ms. Markwood has more than 30 years of experience in the development and delivery of aging, health, human services, housing and transportation programs in counties and cities across the United States. In her position as CEO of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a), Ms. Markwood is responsible for n4a’s overall management. She sets strategic direction for the staff, oversees the implementation of all policy, grassroots advocacy, membership and program initiatives, She also leads n4a’s fund-raising efforts and works closely with corporate sponsors to support critical initiatives, including an aging awards best practices program, the Leadership Institute for Area Aging and the just announced Aging Network’s Volunteer Collaborative.  

Prior to coming to n4a in January, 2002, she served as Deputy Director of County Services at the National Association of Counties, the National League of Cities and as the Assistant to the County Executive in Albemarle County, Virginia. Ms. Markwood graduated with distinction from the University of Virginia with a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in urban and environmental planning.

 

Andrew Scharlach, PhD, Eugene & Rose Kleiner Professor of Aging at UC Berkeley 

Dr. Scharlach’s research examines the physical and social contexts that are conducive to constructive outcomes for elderly persons. He currently is directing a multi-year program of research examining innovative initiatives for helping communities to become more aging-friendly. Dr. Scharlach’s other research interests include aging policies, programs, and services; aging-friendly communities; family caregiving; work/family issues; death, dying, and bereavement; as well as gerontological social work education.

Dr. Scharlach has published more than 75 articles and is the co-author of  Elder Care and the Work Force: Blueprint for Action (with B. Lowe and E. Schneider), Controversial Issues in Aging (with L. Kaye) and Families and Work: New Directions in the Twenty-First Century (with K. Fredriksen-Goldsen).

 

Elizabeth Garner, Colorado State Demographer, on the Demographics of Aging in Larimer County

Elizabeth Garner is the State Demographer and has been with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs since 2004. Her current responsibilities include management and oversight of the Population Estimates and Population Forecast Programs, Economic Information and Forecasting Program and the Geographic Information System Program. A primary focus of the office is to show the relationship between jobs, people, and community services like housing, education, and health care.

Elizabeth and her office have been leading the state's efforts for Census 2010 and in preparation for the release of its data and other Census data. Elizabeth coordinates special projects and research with other state and local agencies to improve the demographic and economic information available throughout Colorado for better understanding local decision making. Prior to working with the Department of Local Affairs, Elizabeth worked for 10 years with CSU Cooperative Extension as the coordinator of the County Information Service. She received her B.A. in Business from the University of San Diego, MA in Agricultural and Resource Economics at Colorado State University and is a PhD Candidate in the same program. 

 

Martin Shields, Professor of Economics at Colorado State University

Dr. Martin Shields is Professor of Economics at Colorado State University. His research program focuses on the factors that influence regional economic growth, emphasizing policy options that will enhance economic opportunities and quality of life for Colorado residents. Professor Shields develops economic models to identify regional competitive advantages and manners by which these advantages are reinforced and strengthened through public-private partnerships. Dr. Shields has published more than 25 scholarly articles and book chapters, and has presented his findings in hundreds of public presentations. He joined Colorado State University after working for 8 years at The Pennsylvania State University.

Martín Carcasson, Ph.D., associate professor in the Communication Studies department of Colorado State University

Dr Carcasson is the founder and director of the CSU Center for Public Deliberation (CPD). His interests are focused on rhetoric and contemporary public affairs, and the interdisciplinary theory and practice of deliberative democracy and collaborative governance. The CPD serves as an impartial resource for the community dedicated to enhancing local democracy in Northern Colorado through improved public communication, community problem solving, and collaborative decision-making.