2026 Programs of Excellence - Visibility and Communications

Patty Watts has served as the Director of Senior Services for the Town of Colchester since 2013.  Having worked in every sector of senior housing and services in her career, Patty feels most at home in the wonderful world of senior centers.  She is a passionate advocate for the community-based programs and services one can find at their local senior center, and believes that engaging with senior centers can help older adults remain socially engaged, physically active, and intellectually challenged all while being able to access information and services which can help them remain independent and connected within their community.  Patty serves as the President of the Connecticut Association of Senior Center Personnel (CASCP), the only professional organization specifically for senior center professionals in the State of Connecticut.

Katie Migliazzo (she/her) is the Marketing and Communications Director at MiGen, Michigan's only community-based organization serving LGBTQ+ older adults and their caregivers. Since joining MiGen in 2023, she has led the organization's marketing and communications efforts, helping increase awareness of programs, services, and issues impacting LGBTQ+ older adults across the state. Katie brings nearly a decade of experience in nonprofit communications and community engagement and is passionate about creating communications that are authentic, accessible, and reflective of the communities they serve. 

Lydia Gadd is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with Supervisory Endorsement.  She earned her Master’s Degree in Counseling from Ball State University in 1990 and for about 20 years provided direct clinical behavioral health services in both inpatient and outpatient settings, including hospitals, community mental health centers and private practice.  She transitioned from direct clinical work to program administration as she became the Director of Community Outreach for UH St. John Medical Center for 8 years before being appointed as the Director of Community Services for the City of Westlake where she has been serving since 2014.   The Westlake Community Service department’s mission is to engage, enrich and empower older adults and Westlake residents of all ages in need.  Services include but are not limited to:  Plus-Fifty Programming, Senior Transportation, Food Pantry, Social Service Outreach and Referrals, Volunteer program,  and youth diversion.  On a broader note, Lydia is a 2024 Fellow of Leadership Ohio.  She also served for over 10 years as the chair-person of the Cuyahoga County Senior Services Network where she remains active as a steering committee member.  She also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Association of Senior Centers, and the (local) non-profit, Carolyn F. Farrell Foundation for Brain Health.  Born and raised in Cleveland’s Collinwood neighborhood, she is the daughter of Slovenian immigrants and is still very involved in the Slovenian community.