Steps to Dramatically Increase Evidence-Based Program Access to Older Adults

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.

Leigh Ann Eagle is the Chief Operating Officer of the Living Well Center of Excellence (LWCE) at MAC, Inc., an area agency on aging that oversees Maryland’s implementation of Healthy Aging Evidence Based Programs. Ms. Eagle is responsible for all aspects of program management for LWCE. She created the Mid Shore Coalition for Chronic Disease. Under Leigh Ann's leadership, Living Well is connecting healthcare organizations with aging and community resources to coordinate statewide program delivery. LWCE is a one of twelve National Network Lead Entities funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living.

Assists with marketing and recruitment; identifying training needs; ensuring data collection processes are followed; performing fidelity/quality assurance monitoring; assisting with provider referral processes; mentoring partners and regional coordinators; establishing county or regional workgroups focused on older adults and/or health/quality of life.  Assists the Living Well Center of Excellence, DHMH and MDoA staff identify opportunities to leverage existing/new funds to embed Falls Prevention and CDSME within public health and health system services.  Establishes formal agreements with new health system partners and coordinating scheduling of workshops to ensure system-wide coverage and organization goals.

 Sue oversees statewide implementation of evidence-based programs; assists in grant-writing, partnership/capacity building; provides leader trainings for various evidence-based wellness programs and implements evidence-based community workshops.  She collaborates with healthcare systems to embed and sustain evidence-based behavior change programs into care delivery. Sue was previously the Senior Director of the National Council on Aging Chronic Disease Self-Management Resource Center where she led a team of professionals in providing national technical assistance to 47 state agencies. Prior to that, Sue oversaw evidence-based program implementation across New Jersey for the Department of Health and Senior Services and was previously a lobbyist for the Alzheimer’s Association in New Jersey.