The Aging Boomers

Reed VanderSlik has almost four decades of executive leadership. About half of that experience was in Manufacturing and the last half in Senior Living. He moved to Winston-Salem 7 years ago from Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he served as President of a senior living community. Since September 2019, he has served as President and CEO of ThriveMore, formerly Baptist Retirement Homes of North Carolina. ThriveMore has four campuses throughout North Carolina. Reed has an MBA from Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Reed has also served on the Leadership Academy at Leading Age. https://www.seniorcareauthority.com/resources/boomers-today/

Gerontologist, Dr. Kerry Burnight, is sparking a global revolution to make older better. Fed up with the fear-driven, anti-aging hysteria, millions of people turn to “Dr. Kerry” for her proven approach to navigating longevity. Her New York Times best-selling book, Joyspan: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life's Second Half is for anyone who is aging - and we are ALL aging. Dr. Burnight taught Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology for 18 years at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. Burnight's work has been featured in The New York Times, CBS Mornings, The Guardian, Oprah Daily, BBC News, and Forbes Health. https://www.seniorcareauthority.com/resources/boomers-today/

Ann Cavlovic is a Canadian author. Her novel Count On Me portrays elder abuse in a family. She was the recipient of a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts, and her work has placed in several writing contests. https://anncavlovic.com https://www.seniorcareauthority.com/resources/boomers-today/

As a writer, Abbie Rosner closely follows research on psychedelics – including psychedelic-assisted therapy for end-of-life distress, expanding areas of legal access to psychedelics for “wellness” and spiritual exploration, and the growing role of spiritual leaders in supporting psychedelic experiences. Her new book, Psychedelics and the Counterculture of Aging explores how older adults are using psychedelics to reimagine aging. https://www.seniorcareauthority.com/resources/boomers-today/

Kris Geerken advocates for increasing awareness of ageism and ableism as core pillars of her work. She is driven by a vision of an equitable world that embraces individuals of all ages, abilities, and identities. Her work with Changing the Narrative focused on raising awareness about the harms of ageism. Kris served as an Adjunct Instructor with Metropolitan State University of Denver and co-develop the course, "Ageism and Ableism". Previously, Kris gained valuable experience working in hospice, developing a community training program in advance care planning. https://www.seniorcareauthority.com/resources/boomers-today/

Bill Zagorski is the CEO of American Senior Care Center, Inc. overseeing Centennial Adultcare Centers’ three Adult Day Health Care centers, home care, transportation and case management services, serving adults throughout middle Tennessee. He also serves as the Research Committee Chair and is the Immediate Past Board Chair of the National Adult Day Services Association as well as the President of the Tennessee Association of Adult Day Services and the Tennessee Federation for the Aging. https://www.seniorcareauthority.com/resources/boomers-today/

As chief programs and mission engagement officer, Katie Evans provides strategic leadership for the Alzheimer's Association's national portfolio of programs that advance brain health and dementia risk reduction, expand early detection and diagnosis, accelerate treatment readiness, and ensure individuals and families receive high-quality care and support. Her work bridges science, systems change, and community — translating research progress into scalable, real-world impact. https://www.seniorcareauthority.com/resources/boomers-today/

Mitch Braff is the founder of LiquidView which creates wellness-focused digital windows for windowless spaces. The product transforms windowless spaces like hotels, senior living centers and office spaces into places of beauty and tranquility. https://www.seniorcareauthority.com/resources/boomers-today/

Russ Gaiser and Mike Hoeflich help couples transform Social Security from a risky guess into a strategic asset. They co-authored the #1 bestseller Beyond Break Even: The Essential Guide to Social Security Optimization and lead Retirement Income HQ of America, where they build math-backed income plans that coordinate benefits, taxes, and portfolios. Together, they teach national workshops and consult one-to-one, focusing on survivor protection, tax efficiency, and sequencing risk in retirement. Russ brings an MBA, the CFP® mark, and CSSCS expertise. Mike holds an MBA, the CSSCS and CLTC credentials, and has educated thousands through workshops and radio. Their approach is simple and rigorous: lower the lifetime cost of retirement, safeguard the widow or widower, and turn anxiety into clarity. https://www.seniorcareauthority.com/resources/boomers-today/

Dr. Marc Pietropaoli, Author of Repair Not Replace is an orthopedic surgeon and founder of Victory In Motion, home of Knee Repair, NOT Knee Replacement®. A former fellow of Dr. James Andrews, he has spent more than 25 years advancing regenerative and non-operative orthopedic care. He was the first surgeon in the world to perform an FDA-indicated BEAR ACL repair outside of clinical trials. His mission is bold: make the world Knee Replacement Free by 2043. https://www.seniorcareauthority.com/resources/boomers-today/

Robert “Bob” Nations has been a Senor Helpers owner for over 16 years. He currently serves as Board President for two non-profits; Share the Care and Napa Valley Support Services. He is a member of the Board of Stewards at Crosswalk Community Church. He has previously served on the Napa Commission on Aging, Dementia Capable Napa Valley, and The Solano Section on Aging. He is the author of Navigating the Art of Aging. https://www.seniorcareauthority.com/resources/boomers-today/

Dr. Marc Milstein is the author of the international best-selling book The Age-Proof Brain, nominated for the Next Big Idea Book Award and translated into seven languages worldwide. A leading brain health researcher and international keynote speaker, Dr. Milstein specializes in translating cutting-edge neuroscience into clear, actionable strategies to optimize brain health, lower the risk of dementia, and boost happiness and productivity. His insights have been featured by media outlets including CNBC, Oprah Daily, The New York Post, and Forbes. He has spoken for Fortune 500 companies and top associations worldwide, delivering dynamic, evidence-based keynotes that educate, entertain, and empower audiences.Dr. Milstein earned his Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry and a Bachelor of Science in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from UCLA, where he conducted research in genetics, cancer biology, and neuroscience. His work has been published in multiple scientific journals. https://www.seniorcareauthority.com/resources/boomers-today/

Jared Walker is the founder of Dollar For, the nonprofit dedicated to eliminating medical debt by making hospital financial assistance known, easy, and fair. Inspired by his own family’s struggles with medical bills, Jared started Dollar For. Since 2021, it has grown into a nationwide movement, erasing over $120 million in hospital debt. https://www.seniorcareauthority.com/resources/boomers-today/

Aleece Fosnight is a board-certified physician assistant specializing in sexual medicine, women’s health, and urology. She is also a Medical Advisor at Aeroflow Urology, a subsidiary of Aeroflow Health, a leading provider of high-quality incontinence supplies through insurance. In 2019, Fosnight opened up her own private practice, the Fosnight Center for Sexual Health, and implemented the sexual health grand rounds curriculum at her local hospital and residency program. Fosnight is also the founder of the Fosnight Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the education and training of professionals in the sexual health field and providing funding for access to healthcare services in her local community. https://www.seniorcareauthority.com/resources/boomers-today/

Carleara Weiss, MD, Ph.D., MSH, RN is a Sleep Science Advisor at Aeroflow Sleep. She is also a Research Assistant Professor at the State University of New York in Buffalo, NY. Originally from Brazil, she has over 15 years of experience as an Adult-Geriatric Nurse. She was recently featured in Buzzfeed, Insider, EatingWell, Women's Health, and on the Well+Good podcast. She provides expert advice on what impacts patients' sleep, advocates for better health and wellness care, and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion through many digital platforms. She also acts as the medical professional, cohost, and title name of our YouTube series, Weiss Words. https://www.seniorcareauthority.com/resources/boomers-today/

Andy Brusman has been an entrepreneur and advisor to emerging growth companies for over 20 years. He currently serves as the CEO of CTH Advisors, LLC where he provides corporate finance and capital raising services to global emerging growth companies in the Sports, Media and Entertainment sectors; as founder and CEO of Silver Gen Holdings, which invests in companies providing products and services to the 55+ “Silver Generation” market. https://www.seniorcareauthority.com/resources/boomers-today/

As co-founder of Soaring Families, Mike George transformed his personal experience into impact, helping families move from survival mode to resilience and joy. He leaned on his background in AI, process improvement, and enterprise systems to develop The Soaring Families Way™, a structured yet compassionate approach that equips families with practical tools to regain control, reduce stress, and find fulfillment. https://www.seniorcareauthority.com/resources/boomers-today/

Tyler Zanini is the co-founder of Memoryboard. With a background in healthcare innovation and entrepreneurship, Tyler created Memoryboard alongside his father-in-law, David, after seeing firsthand how hard it can be to care for loved ones with memory loss. Together, they’re on a mission to make aging-in-place easier, safer, and more connected. https://www.seniorcareauthority.com/resources/boomers-today/

Dr. Crystal Cené is a General Internal Medicine physician, implementation scientist, and Professor of Medicine at UC San Diego, where she also serves as Chief Administrative Officer and Associate Chief Medical Officer for Health Equity. A nationally recognized health services and health equity researcher, she focuses on cardiovascular health, social and structural drivers of health, and patient- and family-centered care. She has led federally funded research studies and published extensively on interventions that reduce disparities and improve chronic disease outcomes. https://www.seniorcareauthority.com/resources/boomers-today/

As the Founder of Life in Order, Lisa is dedicated to helping individuals and families gain peace of mind by organizing and securing their most important information. The inspiration behind Life in Order came from her own personal experiences. After helping her mother navigate the process following her father’s passing and later supporting her sister Lori through her battle with cancer, Lisa recognized the overwhelming importance of having key documents—financial records, legal information, insurance details, and more—organized, secure, and accessible. This led to the creation of Life in Order, where the mission is to simplify life's critical information so you can focus on what matters most. https://www.seniorcareauthority.com/resources/boomers-today/