Speaker Bios
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Hannah Albers
Hannah Albers is passionate about building communities where all people can thrive at every age. As director of program development at the National Center to Reframe Aging, she leads national efforts to improve the way we talk about aging, challenge ageism, and promote narratives that reflect the full value and potential of all of us as we age. Ms. Albers develops innovative programs, resources, and partnerships that help advocates, policymakers, and organizations reframe conversations about aging. She’s a nationally recognized speaker and facilitator, known for translating research into practical strategies that inspire action and create lasting social change. She holds a degree in international business and global service from Valparaiso University.
Sonia Ashe
Sonia Ashe has 15 years of experience working with nonprofit and public entities relying on volunteer support for success. Her earlier work experience focused on advocacy and community organizing in rural Iowa, helping her hone skills in building coalitions and connecting with community members. She later moved into work focused on fund development and managing volunteers. Ms. Ashe earned an M.P.A. and joined the Iowa Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)/Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) team in 2021. In her role as volunteer and sponsor coordinator, she supports roughly 65 SHIIP/SMP sites housed with partner organizations, and over 175 volunteers.
Tommy Ballard
Tommy Ballard is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program director and program manager in the District of Columbia. He brings more than 15 years’ experience in healthcare administration, public service, and program operations, with a commitment to improving access and outcomes for older adults and individuals with disabilities. Mr. Ballard holds an M.B.A. from Eastern University in St. David’s, PA.
Brandy Bauer
Brandy Bauer joined the Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A) in August 2024 as the joint center director for the State Health Insurance Assistance Program Technical Assistance Center and Senior Medicare Patrol National Resource Center. Her role is to ensure that both centers achieve their goals and objectives in accordance with the policies of the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL), manage the overall grant processes, collaborate with other ACL national resource centers, and oversee the technical assistance, training, and communications offered by the centers. Before joining NEI3A, Ms. Bauer spent more than a decade at the National Council on Aging, including as director of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act Resource Center. She has extensive knowledge around public benefits—including Medicare subsidies—for low-income older adults and persons living with disabilities. Prior to working in the field of aging, Ms. Bauer held various communications roles in the health, social services, and human rights sectors in the United States, Afghanistan, and Denmark. She has a bachelor’s degree in women’s studies from Smith College and a master’s degree in English/writing from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Mark Becker
Mark Becker is a 1977 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. He also earned an M.B.A. from Cornell University and an M.Div. from Duke University. After his time in the Navy, Mr. Becker worked as a financial analyst for IBM and then went into the ministry of the United Methodist Church. He served the church for more than 20 years. Following retirement, he has volunteered for several different nonprofit organizations. He has worked with the Georgia Senior Medicare Patrol leading presentations on fraud to numerous senior organizations around Atlanta, GA. He also volunteers with the Cherokee County SALT (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together) helping seniors learn about the law enforcement agencies in the area and how they are available for assistance. He also volunteers at the Georgia National Cemetery.
Jon Booth
Jon Booth is the director of the Web and Emerging Technologies Group (WETG) in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Office of Communications. In this position, Mr. Booth oversees CMS’s public websites program, including Healthcare.gov, Medicare.gov, CMS.gov, Medicaid.gov, InsureKidsNow.gov, and other websites. WETG includes four divisions that support Agile Development, DevOps, User Experience, and program/project/contract management. Mr. Booth is leading a team consisting of internal CMS staff members and contract developers focused on an effort to modernize CMS’s public websites, including improvements to the online services CMS offers to citizens under all of the programs the agency oversees, technology modernization, Cloud operations, security, mobile optimization, and development of public application programming interface (APIs). Prior to this position, Jon was the deputy director of the Creative Services Group. In this position, he led the launch of the agency’s social media channels as well as the Medicare & You Web project. Jon has worked at CMS throughout his career and has supported the launch of the agency’s websites, information technology governance, and numerous communications initiatives. Jon has been at CMS for more than 30 years.
Jonathan Burlison
Jonathan Burlison joined the Nebraska SHIP and SMP in February 2017, serving as a regional volunteer coordinator and the state’s outreach coordinator. In March 2022, Mr. Burlison assumed the role of interim director, accepting the full-time position in May 2022. Currently, he sits on the SHIP Steering Committee. Mr. Burlison is proud of the work he’s done to enhance the SHIP and SMP in Nebraska and he is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the national programs.
Michael Cohen
As a Headquarters Operations Officer with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG), Office of Investigations, Dr. Michael Cohen is responsible for pharmaceutical fraud law-enforcement program oversight in Washington, DC. He has been at OIG headquarters for 16 years. He previously worked for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Miami, FL, in the Healthcare Fraud Division. Dr. Cohen’s current work includes schemes and analysis of newly approved pharmaceuticals subject to diversion. Dr. Cohen also has 35 years’ experience in clinical healthcare. He received undergraduate degrees in biology and chemistry from the University of Richmond, physician assistant training from George Washington University, a law degree with a specialty in Health Law, and Doctor of Health Sciences from A.T. Still University.
Bevin Croft
Dr. Bevin Croft is a senior research associate and director of the behavioral health team at the Human Services Research Institute. Her work focuses on advancing person-centered planning and other rights-based approaches in human service systems, emphasizing translating core values—choice, self-determination, and human rights—into day-to-day practice. Dr. Croft partners closely with state and local agencies, providers, and people with lived experience to support system change efforts that are both data driven and grounded in person-centered values. She has extensive experience leading system assessments, facilitating strategic planning initiatives, and supporting learning collaboratives. For 8 years, she codirected the National Center on Advancing Person-centered Practices and Systems, where she supported states and organizations working to move beyond compliance toward truly meaningful planning practices. Dr. Croft holds a Ph.D. in social policy and an M.P.P. from Brandeis University’s Heller School for social policy and management.
Kelly Cronin
As deputy administrator for innovation and partnership, Kelly Cronin leads the administration of programs and initiatives that serve both older adults and people with disabilities, including consumer access and protection programs. This includes overseeing the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, grants to improve Medicare beneficiaries’ access to low-income subsidies, and the state “No Wrong Door System” program for access to long-term services and supports. She also directs efforts to develop and integrate networks of community-based organizations with healthcare to address whole person health and improve health outcomes of older adults and people with disabilities. Kelly has served in a variety of other roles at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), including with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (IT), where she coordinated health IT programs and policies associated with healthcare payment and delivery system reform. Before joining HHS in 2001, Kelly was a health services researcher and coordinated clinical trials in pharmaceutical and medical technology industries. She holds an M.P.H. with a concentration in epidemiology and biostatistics and an M.S. in health policy from the School of Public Health and Health Services at The George Washington University.
Patricia D’Antonio
Patricia M. “Trish” D’Antonio, B.S.Pharm., M.S., M.B.A., BCGP, is a board-certified geriatric pharmacist serving as executive director for the National Center to Reframe Aging—the central hub advancing long-term social change to improve public understanding of what aging means and the many ways older people contribute to society. She also serves as vice president of policy and professional affairs for the Gerontological Society of America (GSA), where she directs policy initiatives and represents GSA on several coalitions, including co-chair of the Adult Vaccine Access Coalition and chair of the Friends of National Institute on Aging (NIA). She holds a B.S. in pharmacy from Duquesne University and an M.S. in health finance and M.B.A. from Temple University.
Daniel Davis
Daniel Davis works in the Center for Economic Well-Being at the National Council on Aging, focusing on individuals who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, and empowering consumers to make informed choices regarding a model of care coordination that best addresses their needs. In this capacity, he also serves as a Medicaid subject matter expert with additional expertise in Medicare and national health policy, with particular emphasis on persons with disabilities and older adults. His career has focused on empowering individuals with the information they require to make informed choices, as well as strengthening access-to-care, care coordination, and disaster response for these populations. He brings two decades of experience in the nonprofit sector, two congressional committees, and the Administration for Community Living. Prior to his government service, Mr. Davis was a policy analyst and acting policy director at the National Council on Independent Living, a cross-disability nonprofit representing centers for independent living serving people with disabilities of all ages.
Amanda Distefano
Amanda Distefano serves as the director of the Long-Term Services Division at the Maryland Department of Aging, where she oversees programs designed to support older adults and individuals with disabilities in living healthy, financially secure, and socially connected lives. With more than two decades of experience spanning education, public health, injury prevention, and aging services, she brings a multidisciplinary perspective to improving access to long-term services and supports. Ms. Distefano is a certified community resource specialist specializing in aging and disability resources, with extensive experience developing programs, building community partnerships, and implementing innovative approaches to service delivery. She is passionate about strengthening community capacity and advancing systems that ensure individuals and families can easily access the services they need. Outside of work, Ms. Distefano enjoys photography and spending time with her family, especially cheering on her two sons at sporting events in her hometown, Hagerstown, MD.
Maggie Flowers
Maggie Flowers is a program manager at the Administration for Community Living, where she leads the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) program. MIPPA helps older adults and people with disabilities access information and support for Medicare and low-income benefits. Maggie has an extensive background in managing programs and grants, with a focus on helping older adults facing financial challenges. She has previously worked as the associate director of economic security at the National Council on Aging, interim director of the Elder Economic Security Initiative at Wider Opportunities for Women, and services manager at LeadingAge. Maggie earned a master’s degree in public service and administration from Texas A&M University and a bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Texas at Austin.
Rachel Gershon
Rachel Gershon is a senior attorney at Justice in Aging. Her work on the health team is focused on improving the experiences of low-income adults enrolled in Medicare, including paying for medication, leaving incarceration, and navigating both Medicaid and Medicare at the same time.
Kristen Gidel
Kristen Gidel joined the Iowa SHIIP-SMP in June 2023 as a trainer and caseworker. Before SHIIP-SMP, Ms. Gidel spent 15 years as an educator, having previously worked customer service roles for 1-800-MEDICARE and as a private contractor processing Medicare Part A claims. She graduated from the University of Iowa and Drake University.
Kim Glaun
Kim Glaun is a consultant and senior advisor for the Aging & Disability Health Policy Lab, bringing more than 25 years’ experience focused on improving healthcare access and coverage for older adults and individuals with disabilities. She spent more than a decade at the Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, developing regulations and policies to simplify eligibility and enrollment for Medicare Savings Programs. Ms. Glaun previously held positions at several organizations, including the Medicare Rights Center and the National Senior Citizens Law Center (now Justice in Aging), and holds degrees from the University of Maryland School of Law and Dartmouth College.
Katie Glendening
Katie Glendening has been with the Office of Healthcare Information and Counseling (OHIC) since its inception. She serves as a project officer for the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, Senior Medicare Patrol, and Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act grantees. Katie is also a contracting officer’s representative for multiple contracts, and she is on the New Director Training and OHIC conference planning team.
Cory Graves
Cory Graves is a program support specialist in the District of Columbia. He is a dedicated professional who has worked with DC’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program since November 2022. He has a strong background in public service and health education, and he is committed to guiding individuals and families through the complexities of Medicare. Mr. Graves holds a Master of Nutrition Education from American University in Washington, DC.
Kristin Griffith
Kristin Griffith has 25 years of project management and leadership experience in the United States and abroad, focusing on community organizing, volunteer management, strategic planning, and grant management. Ms. Griffith has master’s degrees in public health and business administration. She joined the Iowa SHIIP/ SMP team in 2020 as director.
Andrea Hamilton
Andrea Hamilton, a proud native of Baltimore, MD, brings over 26 years of dedicated federal service to her work at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Throughout her tenure, she has held numerous leadership positions, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and public service. Currently, Ms. Hamilton serves as the director of the Medicare Ombudsman Group within the Offices of Hearings and Inquiries at CMS, where she leads efforts to support and advocate for Medicare beneficiaries navigating the healthcare system.
Daniel Hoy
As the Director of Hotline Operations with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG), Office of Investigations, Daniel Hoy provides operational oversight for the national HHS OIG Hotline program in Washington, D.C. He has been at OIG headquarters for the past six years and previously worked as an Investigative Analyst in the Los Angeles Regional Office.
Juan Jimenez
Juan Jimenez is a health insurance specialist and has been with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) since March 2002. He has experience assisting people with Medicare to resolve complex Medicare matters. He currently works as a senior caseworker in the Medicare Ombudsman Group within CMS. Prior to working at CMS, Mr. Jimenez was a teacher in Howard County, MD.
Natalie Kean
Natalie Kean leads Justice in Aging’s health team of attorneys and policy advocates to develop and implement initiatives across the country to improve equitable access to health and long-term care for low-income and marginalized older adults. Ms. Kean has expertise in Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act. Since joining Justice in Aging in 2017, she has been advocating to strengthen healthcare programs that help older adults live at home and stay connected to their communities. Ms. Kean holds a J.D. with a certificate in health law from Saint Louis University and a B.S. in economics from the University of Wyoming.
Chesleigh Keene
Dr. Chesleigh Keene is vice president for research and evaluation at Kauffman & Associates, Inc. (KAI), an American Indian– and woman-owned consulting firm. An Indigenous scholar trained in counseling psychology, she brings over 15 years of experience in Indigenous health, evaluation, and community-driven research across tribal, federal, academic, and nonprofit settings. Her work bridges psychology, public health, and Indigenous knowledge systems, with a focus on culturally grounded methodologies that honor community voice and tribal sovereignty. Dr. Keene has served as graduate faculty, a clinical practitioner, and a researcher with the National Cancer Institute and Native American Research Centers for Health.
Rebecca Kinney
Rebecca Kinney is the Director for ACL’s OHIC. In this role, Rebecca is responsible for the administration of the programs that reside within OHIC including SHIP, the MIPPA program, and the SMP program. She provides oversight and direction to OHIC’s project officers, the state grantees, various administrative contracts used to support state grantee work, and the three primary programs’ national resource centers. Rebecca has been with ACL since 2011. Prior to coming to Washington DC, Rebecca worked with the Michigan SHIP, SMP, and MIPPA grantee at both the local and state levels. Rebecca has spent her entire professional career working on these Medicare beneficiary-focused programs at all levels (from local AAA to her current Federal position). Throughout it all she has persistently advocated for Medicare beneficiaries, constantly worked to strengthen partner relationships at all levels, and actively supported the program networks by providing training and technical assistance whenever possible. Rebecca acquired her Master of Social Work with a focus in aging and management in 2006 from the University of Michigan, where she was also a Geriatric Fellow. She also holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a focus in drawing and painting from Alma College.
Tabitha Kreyling
As the complex interaction specialist for the Massachusetts (MA) Senior Medicare Patrol Program, Tabitha Kreyling is dedicated to supporting and empowering individuals as they navigate complex Medicare-related concerns. With a strong commitment to advocacy, clarity, and compassionate communication, she works to ensure that consumers feel informed and protected. In January 2026, Ms. Kreyling received the SMP Fraud Prevention’s Finest Award.
Melanie Lambert
Melanie Lambert, senior Medicare advocate at the Center for Medicare Advocacy (the Center), contributes to the Center’s education, training, outreach and advocacy work and provides direct support to Medicare beneficiaries who contact the Center for assistance. Prior to joining the Center, Ms. Lambert administered and coordinated a variety of grants and programs serving older adults and individuals with disabilities for the Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services, including serving as the Connecticut State Health Insurance Assistance Program director from 2019 to 2023. Ms. Lambert holds a policy-focused Master of Social Work degree from the University of Connecticut.
Mary Lazare
Mary Lazare is a nationally recognized leader in aging and disability services. She previously served as ACL’s Principal Deputy Administrator from 2017 to 2021 during President Trump’s first administration. She returned to ACL in March 2025 and currently serves as Principal Deputy Administrator and the senior official performing the duties of the ACL Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Aging. Prior to her federal service, she held senior executive roles with BJC HealthCare, Ascension Health, and Lutheran Senior Services, leading large-scale senior services, long-term care, and home and community-based operations. With a career spanning federal government and major health systems, she has led initiatives that strengthen community-based supports, improve accountability, and expand cross-sector collaboration.
Sharmori Lewis
Sharmori Lewis is a public health expert and Community Outreach Specialist who has worked in the field for more than 10 years. She has received her bachelor’s degree in public health (B.S.) from Benedict College in Columbia, SC, a master’s degree in public health (MPH) in Community Health Education from Georgia Southern University, and is enrolled in Georgia Southern University’s Dr.PH. program focused on Community Health & Behavior. Her work experience has ranged from the hospital sector as the Program Coordinator for Piedmont Fayette’s Oncology Wellness program, and as a research assistant for various universities and colleges (Spelman College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill), to working in the non-profit sector with Senior Medicare Patrol. She’s a loving mother to her 4-year-old son and loves to listen to audiobooks, spend quality time with family, and plan events.
Kierra Lloyde
Kierra Lloyde joined the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in 2020 from the Maryland Health Department working as coordinator of special programs for Medicaid. She currently serves as an analyst in the Division of Medicare System Exceptions and Interfaces. She works closely with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to analyze and resolve complex Medicare beneficiary issues, state buy-in inquiries, resolve billing discrepancies, and correct system exceptions.
Serena Macuch
Serena Macuch serves as technical director within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Program Operations & Integrity Group, Office of Program Operations & Local Engagement, Division of Innovation and Financial Management. In this role, she oversees program integrity, provider enrollment, medical review, and operational efficiency initiatives. Since joining CMS in 2019, Ms. Macuch has managed compliance oversight for accountable care organizations, led corrective actions, developed metrics and process improvements, and advised senior leaders on strategic planning. She collaborates with the U.S. Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Department of Health &Human Services Office of the General Counsel to recover funds for the Medicare Trust Fund and ensure accountability. Ms. Macuch is a member of the Hospice Rapid Response Team, where she helped reduce the time required to remove a fraudulent hospice election from a beneficiary’s medical record from 60 days to just 11 days, and contributed to identifying more than $5 million in fraudulent hospice elections. She holds an M.B.A. in healthcare management from Excelsior College and a B.S. in sociology from SUNY Plattsburgh. Inspired by her husband’s Army service, Ms. Macuch is dedicated to public service. She enjoys family time, staying active, and supporting her daughters’ soccer interests.
Scott Miniea
During Scott Miniea’s tenure as a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) director (2019–present), a lot has changed. Mr. Miniea brings his decades of experience in nonprofit management, education, healthcare outreach, and community and partnership building to bear to help Missouri’s SHIP thrive by collaborating with peers and networks across the state and the country to better help Missourians with Medicare.
Maiss Mohamed
Maiss Mohamed is a health research analyst at the Aging & Disability Health Policy Lab. She has previously worked at Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), where she conducted data and policy analyses on Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security policies affecting older adults and people with disabilities. Ms. Mohamed also previously worked at Bell Creek Consulting, a social impact consulting firm, where she provided research support to philanthropies seeking to advance economic mobility for individuals with low incomes. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Johns Hopkins University.
Lida Momeni
Lida Momeni is a senior program officer at the Center for Health Care Strategies. In this role, she supports initiatives related to integrating care for individuals dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. Ms. Momeni previously served as a policy specialist at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Rosalind Newsholme
Rosalind Newsholme, J.D., is associate director of benefits outreach and enrollment at the Center for Economic Well-Being at the National Council on Aging (NCOA). She has over 10 years of experience supporting and advocating on behalf of older adults and their families. Ms. Newsholme oversees the Benefits Enrollment Center funding opportunity at NCOA and has significant experience supporting community-based organizations. She also manages projects at NCOA that seek to support American Indian/Alaska Native Elders.
Vonetta Norman
Vonetta joined the Administration for Community Living’s Office of Healthcare Information and Counseling (OHIC) in 2022. As a project officer/program analyst, she supports Senior Medicare Patrol, State Health Insurance Assistance Program, and Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act grants; serves as the OHIC liaison to CMS Region 7; coordinates incoming correspondence; and supports the New Directors and Medicare Matters teams.
Elaine Patterson
Elaine Patterson came to the Office of Hearings and Inquiries (OHI) as an analyst from the Dallas Regional Office, where she worked in various capacities for 10 years, which included outreach responsibilities. At OHI, her primary role as an analyst in the Division of Medicare System Exceptions & Interfaces is processing state buy-in inquiries and collaborating with state partners, the Social Security Administration, and internal and external stakeholders.
Cynthia Phillips
Cynthia Phillips is a dedicated SHINE program director at the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, where she has been instrumental in providing free, unbiased Medicare information to beneficiaries throughout the state. Her role involves training counselors from diverse backgrounds to assist older adults and individuals with disabilities in navigating complex Medicare information. Ms. Phillips has been with SHINE for over 14 years and has a Master of Social Work degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
José Pinto
José Pinto has spent more than 25 years working with diverse communities, with a significant portion of his career dedicated to supporting older adults as an adult protective investigator and case manager. He has also served individuals with disabilities across Florida; Georgia; the Washington, DC/metropolitan area; and Puerto Rico, bringing a broad, multicultural perspective to his work. Mr. Pinto earned his master’s degree from Barry University in Miami Shores and continues to champion safety, empowerment, and fraud prevention for seniors in North Georgia.
Lucilia Prates
Lucilia Prates has been the statewide director for the Massachusetts (MA) Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Program since 2002. As the director of the MA SMP Program, she has made consumer engagement the core of the SMP Program message: engaged healthcare consumers are the first line of defense to protect, detect, and report healthcare errors, as well as fraud and abuse, which have financial implications on each one of us and can have devastating health-related outcomes.
Erin Pressley
As the Director of Creative Services for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Erin Pressley leads the development of content and production of a variety of communications that support critical health care initiatives and internal agency operations. She is responsible for content on public websites, including HealthCare.gov, Medicare.gov, and CMS.gov; multimedia services; more than 100 print publications (including the award-winning Medicare & You handbook); internal corporate communications; and targeted outreach activities. Erin oversees all facets of strategic communication production, including brand development and management, writing, editing, visual design, video production, content reviews, language translation, Braille and large-print development, printing, marketing, and distribution. She holds a BA in Communications from Loyola University Maryland and an MS in Human Resource Development from Towson University.
Saska Rajcevic
Saska Rajcevic, M.P.A., is a project manager at the Human Services Research Institute and former co-director of the National Center on Advancing Person-Centered Practices and Systems. Ms. Rajcevic has nearly a decade of experience delivering technical assistance, facilitating trainings, and evaluating outcomes to support organizations in strengthening person-centered practices across federal, state, and local levels. She leads various engagement efforts such as partner mapping, listening sessions, focus groups, and interviews to ensure community voices guide system improvement. Her work emphasizes practical, day-to-day application of person-centered values across different organizational roles and settings.
Ryan Ramsey
Ryan Ramsey is the associate director of health coverage and benefits within the Center for Economic Well-Being. He has been with the National Council on Aging since September 2024 and has over 12 years of experience working to support older adults. His previous roles have included working with the Tennessee Department of Aging and Disability, overseeing the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act program, and data systems on delivery of Older American Act services.
Catherine Rippey
Catherine Rippey has been with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) since 2006. She currently serves as the CMS Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman (MBO) and oversees a team of associate ombudsmen in the Office of Hearings and Inquiries. Prior to taking the role of the MBO in 2015, Ms. Rippey addressed beneficiary and customer inquiries as a senior caseworker in CMS Kansas City. She also played an instrumental role in the implementation of both Medicare Part D and the Health Insurance Marketplace, and was actively involved in outreach and education efforts for both rollouts.
Kevin Robertson
Kevin Robertson serves as the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program director and assistant director of the North Carolina Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) with the North Carolina Department of Insurance. In this role, he provides leadership for statewide initiatives focused on Medicare education, fraud prevention, volunteer engagement, and consumer advocacy, ensuring that North Carolina’s Medicare beneficiaries have access to accurate information and trusted resources. Mr. Robertson has more than two decades of experience in Medicare programs, volunteer management, and public service. Throughout his career, Mr. Robertson has developed extensive expertise in Medicare, Medicare Supplement plans, Medicare Advantage, long-term care insurance, and senior health insurance issues. He has led the recruitment, training, and management of a statewide network of volunteers and county sponsors, while directing program planning, budgeting, grant administration, and the coordination of state and federal funding. His work also includes collaborating with state and national organizations, providing technical assistance to agencies serving older adults, advocating on legislative and policy issues, and representing SHIIP and SMP through public speaking engagements and media appearances. Mr. Robertson holds an M.P.A. from High Point University and a B.S. in criminal justice from Western Carolina University. Through his commitment to public service and consumer protection, he has become a respected leader in Medicare education, volunteer management, and advocacy for North Carolina’s aging population.
John Robinson
John Robinson is an accomplished nonprofit professional with more than 39 years of leadership experience in community development, youth mentorship, outreach, and public service. He began his career with the Boy Scouts of America as a district executive for the Central District, where he developed extensive experience in fund development, volunteer leadership, program development, and community engagement. In 2007, Mr. Robinson became the executive director of the 100 Black Men of Jackson, Mississippi, a mentoring organization dedicated to supporting inner-city youth within Jackson Public Schools. Under his leadership, the organization provided mentorship, educational guidance, and scholarship opportunities to students pursuing trade school and college education. Mr. Robinson later served as a consultant and outreach specialist for the AARP Foundation, working on initiatives addressing food insecurity and food deserts throughout Mississippi and West Tennessee. His work included contributions to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive grant program, where he was recognized as an investigator on the related federal report. Currently, Mr. Robinson serves as the State Health Insurance Assistance Program director, providing free, unbiased counseling and assistance to Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers throughout Mississippi. In this role, he continues his lifelong commitment to advocacy, education, and public service. Mr. Robinson’s professional expertise includes community relations, community outreach, fund development, volunteer development, manpower coordination, budget and fiscal management, program reporting, training and program development, and public speaking. He graduated from Jackson State University in 1984 with a Bachelor of Art in history.
Julia Schreiber
Julia Schreiber is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, Senior Medicare Patrol, and Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Director at the Maryland Department of Aging, where she leads statewide efforts to help older adults and people with disabilities confidently navigate Medicare, avoid fraud, and make informed decisions about their health insurance. She oversees subgrants and technical assistance to 19 local Area Agencies on Aging, ensuring consistent, high-quality Medicare counseling and education across the state. This work builds on nearly 15 years of public sector experience advancing health equity and systems change across the aging and mental healthcare fields.
Shefy Simon
Shefy Simon is a project officer with the Administration for Community Living (ACL), where she supports programs that promote the health, independence, and well-being of older adults and people with disabilities, including SHIP, SMP, and MIPPA initiatives. Prior to joining ACL, she worked at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and as a director of social services in long-term services and supports. A trained social worker, Ms. Simon holds degrees from Benedictine University and the University of Chicago, along with a certificate in Older Adult Studies.
Melissa Simpson
Melissa Simpson is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) program director with extensive experience building partnerships to support grantees and Medicare beneficiaries at the national and state levels. Previously, she served as senior program manager at the National Council on Aging and as Arkansas SHIP director. She holds an M.P.A.
Shawn Smith
Shawn Smith is the state director for the Virginia Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). Mr. Smith holds a degree in biology from Longwood University and has a sales/marketing, business operations, and organizational strategy background. He’s an entrepreneur, author, and has served in the corporate, ministry, and nonprofit sectors. He has a passion for advocating for marginalized communities and empowering those communities to become self-advocates. As the SMP state director, his team consists of over 100 paid and volunteer staff members who serve locally through one of Virginia’s 25 Area Agencies on Aging. In his spare time he enjoys reading, writing, and working out. He lives in Richmond, VA, and has two sons, Shawn II and Vaughn.
Gabriel Smith
Gabriel Smith is a program associate at the Center for Economic Well-Being and is the Midwest point of contact for the Benefits Enrollment Center Network. He has been with the National Council on Aging since June 2023 and has focused his efforts on Medicare changes/updates to support older adults. He is currently working toward his Doctorate in Public Health from The George Washington University.
Tim Smolen
Tim Smolen started as the Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program manager in January 2021. SHIBA celebrated their 45th anniversary in 2024. This SHIP, SMP, MIPPA program is part of the Consumer Protection Division of the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. He is a big fan of the Medicare program, and a true believer about the Medicare Savings Programs. Mr. Smolen is grateful for the opportunity to be of service and is eager to learn more about how he can help people to take care of themselves in the ways that matter most to them. Current priorities for the SHIBA program are recruiting and training more diverse volunteer advisors, enhancing outreach to traditionally underserved communities, and improving partnerships with organizations that support people with the greatest social and economic needs. Fostering collaborative partnerships with Tribes and professionals who serve Native Elders and people with disabilities is a top priority for Mr. Smolen and SHIBA. He lives in Olympia, WA, with his beloved wife of 20 years, Stephanie; their dog, Fiona; and their cats, Arlo and Tucker. His hobbies include reading, walking, movies, and cooking for friends. He is an occasional caregiver for his mom, Mary Frances.
Jennifer Syria
Jennifer Syria serves as regional administrator and staff director for the Boston and New York offices, where she leads and coordinates external engagement efforts related to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) programs. In this role, she works closely with regional stakeholders and partners across Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. She also oversees administrative and operational support for staff in both offices, fostering collaboration within the region, across CMS components, and throughout the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Ms. Syria began her federal career in 2012 as an external affairs specialist in the CMS Boston Office, where she focused on outreach and education to stakeholders on Medicare, Medicaid, and the Health Insurance Marketplace. Prior to joining CMS, she served as a training coordinator with the Massachusetts State Health Insurance Assistance Program and as a case manager with the Pharmacy Outreach Program at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. She holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing management from Syracuse University and a master’s degree in education administration from Boston University.
Sahar Takshi
Sahar Takshi joined Justice in Aging in 2021 and works to advance equity for low-income older adults who are marginalized due to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity, disability, immigration status, English language proficiency, or other systemic oppression. She is passionate about improving federal policies and programs that allow older adults to age with dignity, as well as educating legal and aging services providers and policymakers on developing equitable partnerships, outreach, and other programming. Ms. Takshi graduated from the University of South Florida with a B.A. in psychology and from the American University Washington College of Law with a J.D. Prior to joining Justice in Aging, she was a Gallogly Fellow at Legal Counsel for the Elderly where she represented older adult clients seeking to access home- and community-based services.
Jennifer Teague
Jennifer Teague is a proven leader in aging services with a strong track record in strategic project management, federal grants management, and thought leadership. Ms. Teague is the director of health coverage and benefits at the National Council on Aging (NCOA), overseeing the National Center for Benefits Outreach and Enrollment, also known as the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act Resource Center. Prior to joining NCOA, Ms. Teague served as program manager for aging and adult services at Buncombe County Health and Human Services in North Carolina, overseeing adult protectives services, co-leading age-friendly initiatives, and managing millions of dollars in contracts and grants. She has experience collaborating with federal and state staff members, elected representatives, and community partners to enhance services for older adults. With a career spanning public service, nonprofit leadership, and aging services, she is committed to ensuring older adults and individuals with disabilities can obtain the resources and supports they need to thrive.
David Torian
Mr. Torian is counsel and health policy analyst, and manages the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Senior Issues Task Force, which considers and develops insurance policy and regulatory standards that affect older Americans. Prior to joining NAIC, Mr. Torian was a congressional chief of staff and counsel to U.S. Rep. Michael R. McNulty (NY).
Jennifer Trussell
Jennifer Trussell is a fraud prevention consultant with over 40 years’ experience in the industry. She served over 35 years with the federal government, including special agent in charge of the investigations branch and senior advisor with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—Office of Inspector General. She began her law enforcement career as an active-duty special agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and later served as a civilian criminal investigator for the U.S. Navy. Ms. Trussell has a graduate degree in policy management from Georgetown University, and an undergraduate degree in criminal justice from Park University. She previously served on detail to the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, and on the Board of Directors for the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association. She currently works with the Senior Medicare Patrol program, and is a frequent guest presenter at national conferences. Ms. Trussell is also an advanced yoga teacher (RYT 500/E-RYT 200/RCYT) who has been teaching continuously over 12 years, and a disaster/emergency responder for the American Red Cross.
Kristen Vangeloff
Kristen Vangeloff, a managing director at the Lewin Group, has over a decade of experience supporting access to services that promote community living for people aging with or into disabilities. She directs the Administration for Community Living (ACL) No Wrong Door Resource Center Technical Assistance contract, with a focus on supporting states and local entities to help develop their access systems through robust governance, public outreach, person-centered practices, and streamlined eligibility to public programs. She has expertise in developing program logic models that drive outcomes and return on investment calculations for community living initiatives. She currently provides technical assistance to states and territories that are planning and implementing Medicaid Administrative Claiming for No Wrong Door system functions. Prior to Lewin, Ms. Vangeloff spent 8 years at a community-based organization serving populations at risk of infectious disease in rural Virginia.
Sara Volger
Sara R. Vogler works at the Administration on Aging (AoA) Office of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Programs as program manager, bringing expertise in program administration and strategic partnership development. Ms. Vogler also serves as a Tribal regional liaison and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Tribal liaison, strengthening partnerships among Tribal Nations, state governments, and federal partners to advance equitable, community-centered solutions and support government-to-government collaboration. Previously, as a program analyst in the Administration for Community Living’s Office of Healthcare Information and Counseling, she managed SHIP/SMP/MIPPA grant implementation and contract administration while advancing cross-agency collaboration and initiatives. She began her higher education journey through community college before earning a bachelor’s degree in government/international Relations from California State University (CSU), Sacramento. Committed to mentorship and educational access, she supports graduates and emerging professionals throughout the CSU system. Outside of work, Ms. Vogler enjoys writing poetry, exploring artistic pursuits, and staying active through dragon boating and CrossFit.
Katherine “Nicole” Watts
Nicole Watts is an Aging Specialist with the Administration for Community Living (ACL), where she serves as a key liaison between the federal government and state partners to support the administration of aging programs. Prior to joining ACL, Nicole spent more than a decade with the District of Columbia Department of Health Care Finance, where she managed a state Medicaid benefit and ensured compliance with complex federal and state regulations
Kelly Waite
Kelly Waite has worked with the Kentucky Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) for 2.5 years, implementing creative presentations across 15 counties. Ms. Waite was the recipient of the Fraud Preventions Finest Award for December 2025, which noted her creation of SMP water aerobics. She has a background in teaching dance and fitness, a bachelor’s degree in public health with an emphasis in health promotion and health education, and is currently working on her masters in adult and higher education, with an emphasis in counseling.
Brian Webb
Brian Webb is director of health and life policy for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Mr. Webb has worked on health policy in Washington, DC, since 1988 as an aide for Rep. Bill Thomas, an advisor for California Governor Pete Wilson, and a policy analyst for Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
Emily Winesett
Emily Winesett, senior consultant at the Lewin Group, serves as the project manager for the Administration for Community Living’s (ACL) No Wrong Door Resource Center Technical Assistance contract. In this role, she oversees the delivery of expert technical assistance, training, and strategic guidance to aging and disability networks at the state and community levels, supporting the design, implementation, and enhancement of No Wrong Door systems. She also leads the targeted technical assistance workstream, providing customized support to grantees working to strengthen state access systems, as well as broader assistance to states and territories developing or redesigning their No Wrong Door infrastructure. Prior to her current role, Ms. Winesett supported a variety of federal technical assistance initiatives at Lewin, including the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing Model.