Incoming Board Chair Curt Meinhold is an entrepreneur, technology leader, and creative innovator with more than 25 years of experience in technology, product development, and organizational strategy. He is the founder and Chief Product Officer of LilyList, a digital platform focused on preserving and sharing stories and legacies, where he combines emerging AI technology with his lifelong passion for storytelling and the arts. Curt also serves as Strategic Technology Officer and a Board Member of the Leadership Forum Community, providing guidance on digital strategy, AI innovation, data integrity, and organizational growth. A lifelong creative, Curt has worked across music, film, writing, and technology. He has led a 30-year music project and continues to explore the ways technology can help people capture, connect, and share meaningful stories.

As senior philanthropy officer with Cone Health, Network Chair Will Powell directly supports Heart & Vascular care. He is a proud Demon Deacon and graduate of Wake Forest in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in economics and minor in psychology. He received his master’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Georgia in 2010. Will is excited about his work in healthcare philanthropy after a 12-year career at Elon University. He believes in helping others and is drawn to heart and vascular care specifically after his own family experiences with the exceptional care his grandfather received at Cone Health after his heart attack.When not fundraising, Will loves doing all things Wake Forest sporting (Go Deacs!) and catching Carolina Panthers home games (Keep Pounding!) with his wife Erika and daughter Grace. And we can’t forget, he enjoys family time at home with their dog Kona too.

Born in Connecticut, Secretary Karen Mangan Atkison moved to Burlington, NC from Seattle, WA in October of 1999. She went to Saint Bonaventure University in Olean, NY and Update Medical Center in Syracuse, NY before getting her first job in Rochester, NY in 1978. Karen worked as an allied health care professional and educator in the cancer diagnostics field for over 40 years and is recently retired. She obtained a Master’s in Public Administration with a Health Care Emphasis degree while working as a chief technologist and associate professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center CytoPathology Laboratory in Rochester NY.  After 20 years, she went to work for a medical diagnostic company as the Director of Education and Training in the Women’s Health and Cancer division. Inspired by her passion for lifelong learning, she spent the second half of her career honing skills in adult learning theories, instruction design, course development and eLearning. She still strives to inspire and motivate others through education which is one of the reasons CAN-NC is such a wonderful fit.  “I look forward to working with and meeting many of you as CAN-NC continues to grow and bring its mission to life in our community,” she says

Treasurer Valerie Sakhet McConnell, MPH owner of NuAri Solutions, is a dedicated public health educator with expertise in fine-tuning financial operations and implementing operational improvements. She has a MPH and an Ethic Rural and Health Disparities Certificate from East Carolina University, Greenville, NC and a BS BM from University of Maryland Global Campus. For more than twenty years, Valerie has worked with spiritual and community-based organizations in the Washington, DC, Bermuda, and North Carolina areas. For several years, she has consulted with a natural foods co-op in Washington DC, helping them obtain sponsor funding and evolving their Annual Health and Wellness Workshops. Her focus is on connecting non-profits and community-based organizations to implement, evaluate, and disseminate evidence-based preventive health programs which develop solutions and management strategies to eliminate health disparities. Valerie is a member of the Society for Public Health Education and served on the North Carolina Public Health Association, BIPOC Committee and the Virginia Commonwealth University Health, Patient & Family Advisory Committee. She has provided numerous healthy eating/healthy living presentations throughout North Carolina, Virginia, DC, and Maryland. “My studies in healthy living are based on over twenty years of study, teaching, life experience, and application.”

Outgoing Board Chair Chris Babcock was born in Vermont and moved to Greensboro NC to attend Guilford College where he received his Bachelor of Science.  He began his career at a local Bank in 2000 as a teller working his way to managing his own office.  Today Chris is the Branch Manager for Carter Bank & Trust a Community Bank located in Greensboro.  Chris volunteers as an Ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce and avid member of the GMA where he works to promote and support local businesses.  Chris is also passionate about Animal Rescue volunteering for the SPCA and other local rescue groups.  In his free time Chris love to Fly Fish, travel, and spend time with his two dogs, Miles and Kai.

A “recovering attorney,” Richard Bell brings decades of experience leading growth and brand strategy for multinational organizations, with senior roles at Omnicom, Kantar, and PRS IN VIVO. An entrepreneur at heart, he co-launched the world’s first neuromarketing research firm, built Fabulous Fanny’s NYC into a nationally recognized vintage eyewear brand, and led the relaunch and expansion of PRS IN VIVO Americas. A graduate of Emory University School of Law and Tufts University, Richard is also a proud father of three, certified yoga instructor, daily Pilates practitioner, and avid hiker—bringing a personal passion for healthy aging to his work.

Jasmine Booth is a seasoned leader in the senior living and long-term care sector with more than a decade of experience in administration, operations, sales, and staff development. She has successfully served in executive roles, including Executive Director, Sales and Marketing Director, and Business Office Manager, where she revitalized underperforming communities, strengthened compliance, and fostered resident and staff engagement. Currently pursuing a Master of Public Affairs with a concentration in Nonprofit Management at UNC Greensboro, Jasmine is also an NC DHHS-approved Administrator-in-Training Program Provider, mentoring and teaching future administrators since 2000. As Lead Consultant and Program Director for Guardian Admins Training & Consulting Firm, she develops and delivers workforce training programs, builds government partnerships, and advances advocacy initiatives. Passionate about changing the way North Carolina ages through advocacy, education, and collaboration, Jasmine brings expertise in strategic planning, regulatory compliance, financial oversight, and community engagement. Her commitment to elevating the lives of older adults and supporting staff aligns closely with the mission of CAN-NC.

Margaret Brown – Margaret Brown brings a wealth of experience and compassion to Aging Care Matters. With a Master’s degree in Gerontology and over 20 years of professional experience in senior care, clinical research, and community support, Margaret is dedicated to improving the lives of older adults and their families. Her career spans roles in care management, clinical research coordination, and senior care advisory services, where she has demonstrated expertise in client assessments, cognitive and physical evaluations, and developing customized care solutions. Margaret is skilled at building strong community relationships, empowering families, and navigating the complexities of aging care with integrity and compassion.

As a Senior Project Manager and Senior Living Sector Leader, Principal Brian Carroll, AIA is involved in all aspects of design and management on each of his projects. From master planning, programming, and pre-design/feasibility studies through construction documents and construction administration, his experience on a broad range of project types enables him to lend a fresh perspective to each new project. His strong desire to positively impact the community and built environment is evidenced by involvement in project types including senior living, primary, secondary and higher education, medical, municipal, and religious facilities. He also has extensive experience in complex phased renovations and additions to occupied buildings, and has managed some of the firm’s largest senior living projects. Brian joined AIA in 1997, and has served the Greensboro area for over 25 years.

Molly Ciaccio is an associate attorney with Wyatt Early Harris Wheeler, LLP in High Point. She graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Social Work from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and received a Juris Doctor degree from Elon University School of Law. Molly was admitted to the Bar in 2023 and is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association (Estates and Elder Law Sections).

Elise Eifert – Elise Eifert, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Graduate Gerontology Program Coordinator, has a MS in Health Promotion with a minor in Human Sexuality from Indiana University at Bloomington and a BS in Health Education from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Dr. Eifert served as an Alzheimer’s disease and dementia educator in Fort Myers, Florida for five years before returning to school to pursue her doctorate. She graduated in 2014 from UNCG with a Ph.D. in Public Health Education and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Gerontology. She is also a Certified Health Education Specialist. While in school, she was given life-changing advice – take any health education position to earn some experience. This proved pivotal as her original dream to work in the sexual health field and “become the next Dr. Ruth” transformed once she began working as an Alzheimer’s disease and dementia educator in Florida. “I had the responsibility of educating and informing the general public, professionals, family caregivers, and numerous others about Alzheimer’s disease. I loved the job and considered it an honor to be given the opportunity to educate and support the many people who sacrifice their own lives to care for others. Despite the many joys, I often saw people struggle as well. Their heartbreak was very familiar to me. I knew their pain and feelings of helplessness because of my own family’s experiences with Alzheimer’s disease- my great grandfather and both of my grandmothers had dementia. I not only saw the effect of the disease on the person but the impact it had on the family as they struggled to support their loved one.” Ultimately, Dr. Eifert wants to pursue a career in academia where she can perform and disseminate research that improves the family caregiving experience and inspires students to pursue careers in Gerontology.

Stefanie Kiszely brings more than 15 years of experience spanning sales, customer service, accounting, administration, and management. She has built her career around strong relationships, organization, and dependable service, with experience in financial reporting, budgeting, staff leadership, and business operations. Stefanie is also an experienced independent contractor and sales professional, bringing an entrepreneurial spirit and a practical, people-centered approach to her work.

UNCG Theatre Graduate, Deb Ruffino has followed a colorful and creative path. She spent 20 years working in the film industry in Los Angeles, California, followed by another 20 years in the jewelry industry in Greensboro, NC, where she discovered that creativity, storytelling, and connecting with people can take many forms. Currently, Deb is working with the Arts Council of Greater Greensboro, combining her passion for the arts with her love of community. She believes the arts have a special way of bringing people together, creating connections, and making Guilford County a more vibrant place to live. Emerging artist, Mother, Grandmother, and Believer in the power of the arts. 

Rebecca “Liza” Segal is a registered nurse with extensive experience in oncology care and clinical research at Wesley Long Cancer Center. Over her career, she has worked across outpatient oncology, symptom management, triage, auditing, emergency care, and clinical research. A committed healthcare professional, Liza has been recognized with multiple Cone Health awards for service, leadership, and exceptional contributions to patient care and research.

Nancy Lenk has over 20 years of senior management experience with non-profit organizations. She possesses excellent interpersonal skills in successfully building relationships, interfacing with diverse groups, committees and boards of directors. Nancy graduated with a BSW from UNCG in 1978.  She lived in Atlanta, Georgia for 30 years before returning to Greensboro in 2010. In addition to her volunteer work with CAN-NC, she is on the Steering Committee for the Glenwood Time Exchange and is active in her neighborhood association.

Christina Peoples is a native of North Carolina. Her passion is working with older adults and her desire is to educate people about the world of Gerontology. She holds a Master of Science degree in Gerontology with a concentration in aging and business, which was obtained from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. However, Christina credits her foundation in the field of Gerontology to the Historically Black College/University, Winston-Salem State University. Christina is also a blogger for Gero-what?!, which is purposed to dispel/eliminate the many myths and stereotypes that are directed towards aging, to provide resources, and to exemplify that life doesn’t end just because we turn another year older. Christina currently works as an Ombudsman at the Piedmont Triad Regional Council Area Agency on Aging.

Ray Silva is a well-known artist in the area who is an enrolled member of the Laguna-Pueblo Tribe from New Mexico. He is a traditional Pow Wow Dancer & Singer, a traditional flute player and a traditional visual artist (leather work such as concho belts, dream catchers, mandalas, and medicine wheels). Ray has lived in Greensboro for more than 20 years with his wife and fellow artist, Brenda.