Dr. Yanira Cruz is the President and CEO of the National Hispanic Council on Aging. She focuses on providing the Latino perspective on public health, older adult and caregiver issues to increase policy-maker and public understanding of the needs impacting vulnerable sectors of our society and to encourage the adoption of programs and policies that equitably serve everyone. To further these efforts, Dr. Cruz serves on the National Senior Citizens Law Center, is a member of the American Society on Aging (ASA) for more than 10 years, and is a member of the Leaders of Aging Organizations (LAO). She is also a founding member of the Diverse Elders Coalition. Recently, Dr. Cruz was named one of the top 50 Influencers in Aging by Next Avenue. Dr. Cruz is an appointee serving on the Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services, which advise the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Cruz received her Bachelor of Science in Biology and holds a Master’s degree in Public Health and a Doctorate in Public Health with a specialty in global health from The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Service

Focused on research, evaluation, and capacity building with a strong emphasis on community-driven program design and improvement

Specialties: Multi-method research; community-based participatory approaches; intervention research; grant writing; grants management; evaluation; social isolation, caregiving and social support subject matter expertise.

Mary Ann Bui recently joined the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) as Chief Research Officer.   She has a wealth of experience in multicultural and issue-based research as well as market research, having worked in AARP and ASAE and as well as other professional membership associations.  Mary Ann holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Drexel University, an MBA from Georgetown University and a Doctor of Management from University of Maryland Global.  As part of NAPCA’s partnership with UCSF, Mary Ann’s work revolves around the Collaborative Approach for AAPI Research and Education (CARE) in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, as well as NHPI obesity-related research.  More personally, Mary Ann is of mixed heritage (Vietnamese and Filipino).

Dorothea K. Vafiadis, is the Director of Health Partnerships and Strategic Engagement at NCOA. She has 20+ years' experience in public health and working with non-profit organizations. She has a track record for building and sustaining high-value relations, surpassing revenue goals and achieving reach and impact with mutually aligned partners. Vafiadis leads NCOA’s healthy aging strategy and oversees project management for the Obesity Education and Awareness Campaign, the Healthy Bone Initiative and the Wellness and Pain Relief program. Prior to NCOA, Vafiadis served as Director of Healthy Living for the American Heart Association, where she oversaw board-appointed science committees and convened multinational food companies for the purposes of optimizing their healthy food offerings and improving the food landscape. She played a major role in launching the national Healthy for Good campaign, a science-based campaign to drive behavior change. Prior to AHA, Vafiadis worked on federal nutrition policy at USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy & Promotion.