Innovations and Outcomes in Aging Services

Sean Thomas is the Manager of Executive Operations at the National Council on Aging. He is responsible for leading the support for the executive office of NCOA, specifically focused on supporting the integration of all departments and overall oversight for operational and administrative alignment, as well as management of NCOA’s national Board of Directors.

Prior to NCOA, Sean was the Special Assistant and Chief of Staff at the Fashion Institute of Technology Foundation, where he oversaw the advancement initiatives in sustainability, strategic philanthropy, and social impact investment to support the Fashion Institute of Technology’s unique and unconventional heritage.

From 2012 to 2017, Sean served as the Manager of Administration at Safe Kids Worldwide, where he helped develop the strategic direction of the organization by providing oversight of administration and operations and leading the advancement of priority programmatic objectives for child safety initiatives.

Sean has also held various leadership roles at Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy, Malaria No More, and Tiffany & Co. He is an inspirational corporate social responsibility leader that has had success guiding and building nonprofit organizations specializing in administration, operations, and board governance and has worked extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and Africa on several sustainable health and economic development programs. He is also a former Peace Corps volunteer serving in Kyrgyzstan from 2006-2007.

Sean holds a BA in International Studies from Hawaiʻi Pacific University and an MA in International Affairs from the New School University.

Greg Olsen is the acting director of the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA). In this role, he is responsible for the development, implementation, and administration of programs and policies that help older New Yorkers and overseeing the administration of federal and state funded programs that assist more than 4.6 million older adults and 4+ million informal caregivers across New York State. Working with public and private partners at the state and local level, Greg is leading the effort to combat ageism, generalizations, and stereotypes about what aging is and demonstrating the value of not only the older population to their families, communities, and the state, but also the value of the network of aging services professionals in addressing social determinants of health and their role in helping older adults maintain their independence with dignity. Under Greg’s leadership, many innovative projects have been launched to improve the lives of older adults and their families including combatting isolation, loneliness and depression, lifelong learning opportunities, innovative projects supporting working and non-working caregivers that are being replicated across the nation.

Becky Preve is the Executive Director for the Association on Aging in New York, a member organization representing the 59 area agencies on aging in NY. The mission of the Association is to support and enhance the capacity of New York’s local area agencies on aging and to work in collaboration with the aging network to promote independence, preserve dignity, and advocate on the behalf of aging New Yorkers and their families. Prior to joining the Association, Becky was Director for Franklin County Office for the Aging. Prior to her tenure in the aging network, Becky was an acute care social worker at Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone, NY.  Becky earned her bachelors of Science degree from Clarkson University in 2002, and has also received certification from the Institute for HealthCare Improvement, and Boston University of Social Work. Becky is a Board member for Adirondack Health Institute, Hospice of the North Country, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Cerebral Palsy of the North Country, Fieldstone Foundation, and the Joint Commission for Economic Opportunity.