Gigi Amateau has worked in health and human services for thirty-years in program administration, information and referral, and philanthropy with the Commonwealth of Virginia, Homeward, SeniorNavigator, and United Way.

She is currently the Director of Grants and Research for the Greater Richmond Age Wave Coalition.

Annette Clark received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Sociology from Mary Baldwin College and earned her Master’s degree in Gerontology from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2012. Annette is a Family Services Director with the Alzheimer’s Association Central and Western Virginia Chapter, an adjunct faculty member and Roanoke Higher Education Center Liaison with Virginia Commonwealth University.

Annette’s responsibilities include assisting students with successful transition into Department of Gerontology programs in the hybrid program located at the Roanoke Higher Education Center, coordination of local GeroStat events and development and instruction of select training programs for Virginia Commonwealth University’s partnership with Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Licensing Programs.

Annette’s interest include working with individuals and care partners dealing with a dementia diagnosis, educational opportunities for adult learners, advocacy and providing support by serving on various committees, councils and boards.

Jenny Inker, PhD, is an assistant professor of gerontology and the co-program director for the Assisted Living Administration Specialty Area in the M.S. in gerontology program at VCU.

Dr Inker teaches Sociology of Aging, and Aging and Human Values (ethics). She also supervises masters students completing their Assisted Living Administrator-in-Training practicum and doctoral students in the Health Related Sciences PhD program. Dr Inker co-leads a number of popular workforce trainings throughout the year, including a leadership master class series, ethics workshops, and an exam preparation class for the Residential Care Assisted Living (RCAL) national exam.

Dr Inker’s personal and professional goals are to raise conscious awareness of the potential for elderhood as a time of life which enriches individuals and society and to disrupt ageism and other barriers to developing elderhood.

Annette S. Kelley joined the Virginia Department of Social Services Division of Licensing Programs as the Provider Training Consultant in November 2005. In this position she is responsible for training related activities for assisted living facilities and adult day care centers, providing technical assistance to adult program providers, and developing regulations for adult programs. Annette earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and her Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling with a specialization in Alcohol and Drug Abuse Education.

Ms. Kelley has over twenty years of experience working in program development, program management, and training development in both the private and public sector.

Jennifer Pryor, MA, MS, LALFA, received her Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees in Psychology from Hollins University and the College of William & Mary, respectively. She earned her Master’s degree in Gerontology and a post-graduate certificate in Non-Profit Management from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Health Services Organization and Research at Virginia Commonwealth University. Jennifer is a licensed Assisted Living Administrator and a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.

Jennifer’s responsibilities include coordinating student advising and registrations, maintaining student records, and monitoring student progress. Jennifer also advises and instructs students who are interested in administration and who plan to pursue their license as an Assisted Living Administrator. In addition, she manages several continuing education and training initiatives including the state-wide, co-sponsored training program between the Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Licensing Programs and the VCU Department of Gerontology. This program is available to professional caregivers working in Virginia’s Licensed Assisted Living Facilities and Adult Day Centers.

Jennifer’s research interests are focused on long-term care organizations, administration, and outcomes. Her personal and professional goal is to challenge the paradigm of the long-term care continuum and promote innovation and development in the industry to foster inclusiveness, community, and awareness of ageism.

Ellen Phipps, CTRS (Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist) is Co-Author of Connections: Engagement in Life for Persons with Dementia, A Complete Activities Guide, and Vice President of Programs & Services at the Alzheimer’s Association, Central & Western Virginia Chapter where she has served for the past eight years. Ellen specializes in creative therapeutic design for persons diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. She received her Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Colorado, at Boulder, and, her Montessori Teacher’s training certification in England in 1989. Before joining the Alzheimer’s Association, Ellen served as Director of Adult Day Centers both in Charlottesville, VA and Somerset, England providing creative and innovative approaches to care. Ellen was instrumental in initiating the first Intergenerational – Montessori Adult Day Centers in Charlottesville, VA, a combination Adult Day Center for Persons diagnosed with dementia and on-site Montessori Pre- School. Ellen established Art Therapy, Music Therapy and Creative, Expressive Arts programs at both Adult Day Centers.

Ellen is a master trainer and presenter for the Alzheimer’s Association’s Foundations of Dementia Care, and, Activities Based Alzheimer’s Care.

She has served on the Foundations of Dementia Care development committee and, on the steering committee for the Strategic Common Work Plan for the National Alzheimer’s Association. She is currently enrolled in the Master’s of Gerontology Program at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA.

Alexa van Aartrijk is a gerontologist serving as the VCU Department of Gerontology’s Community Education Coordinator. Her position entails the planning, coordination and implementation of the co-sponsored state-wide continuing education and training program, available for those working in Licensed Assisted Living and Adult Day Center settings. As Community Education Coordinator, Alexa aims to connect community stakeholders and organizations to strong curriculum and training to ensure optimal person-centered care for individuals residing in long-term care facilities.

In addition to the Community Education Coordinator position, Alexa works with the Greater Richmond Age Wave Coalition, including serving as a LongevityU trainer.

E. Ayn Welleford, PhD, received her BA in Management/Psychology from Averett College, MS in Gerontology and PhD in Developmental Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University.

She has taught extensively in the areas of Lifespan Development, and Adult Development and Aging, Geropsychology, and Aging & Human Values. As an educator, researcher, and previously as a practitioner she has worked with a broad spectrum of individuals across the caregiving and long term care continuum. As Associate Professor and Chair of VCU’s Department of Gerontology, she currently works to “Improve Elder Care through Education” through her Teaching, Scholarship, and Community Engagement. Outside of the classroom, Dr. Welleford provides community education and serves on several boards and committees.

Dr. Welleford is former Chair of the Governor’s Commonwealth of Virginia Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Commission, as well as a recipient of the AGHE Distinguished Teacher Award. In 2011, Dr. Welleford was honored by the Alzheimer’s Association at their annual Recognition Reception for her statewide advocacy. Dr. Welleford is the author of numerous publications and presentations given at national, state and local conferences, community engagement and continuing education forums. In 2012, Dr. Welleford was appointed to the Advisory Board for VCU’s West Grace Village project.