NCOA Policy Positions: How to Be an Effective Advocate

Brenda Sulick, brings 20 years of experience advocating for vulnerable older adults and their families and is NCOA's new Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer. Prior to joining NCOA, Sulick was Vice President of Public, Government, and Community Affairs at SCAN Health Plan. Her 20 years of experience advocating for vulnerable older adults and their families include leadership positions at AARP, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, and the Alzheimer's Association.

In 2022, Sulick was named a Carol Emmott Foundation Women in Health Care Leadership Fellow. She was also a national recipient of the John Heinz Senate Fellowship in Aging. Sulick has a PhD in Public Administration and Policy from Portland State University, an MA in Public Policy/Gerontology from George Washington University, and a BA in Political Science from York College.

Howard Bedlin has led NCOA's legislative advocacy efforts on issues and programs of concern to older adults for the past 25 years, which include the Older Americans Act, Medicare, Medicaid, long-term care, income security, and community services. Prior to joining NCOA, he worked for the American Association of Homes for the Aging (now LeadingAge), the National Association for Home Care, and AARP. Howard received his law degree and Master of Policy Science from the University of Maryland, and Bachelor’s in Political Science from Binghamton University in New York.