Ann began working with AgeBetter, Inc., as a consultant in early 2004, when Sharing Active Independent Lives (SAIL) was being launched as a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community demonstration project. Several years prior, she was an assisted living administrator at Oakwood Village. This experience, along with a master’s degree in rehabilitation psychology from UW-Madison, helped immensely in the formation and success of SAIL. She has shaped the program into a unique and sustainable community resource for older adults that also takes a leadership role in the national “village movement.” In addition to oversight of SAIL, she is spearheading initiatives related to senior affordable housing, training and education for people working with older adults, a locally grown produce and community-based garden program, and more. Contact Ann at ann@agebettertoday.org.
Our Staff
Nicole manages program operations relating to member services—direct services provided by staff as well as those coordinated by staff and performed by vetted volunteers and service providers. She also oversees and supports SAIL programs and event offerings, marketing and community outreach, and individual member consultations. Her educational background includes a bachelor’s in psychology and special education and a master’s degree in organizational leadership. Contact Nicole at nicole@sailtoday.org.
Becky supports SAIL volunteers, matches volunteers with individual member service requests, and recruits and orients new volunteers. She also provides customer support to members and others contacting SAIL and offers administrative and technical support to the SAIL team. She brings experience as a certified occupational therapy assistant and provider of direct care services in assisted living, independent living, and adult day programming. Contact Becky at becky@sailtoday.org.
With expertise in communications, higher education, and senior care, Sarah supports the marketing, public relations, and member communications functions of SAIL. She assists with The Messenger (monthly newsletter), weekly email messages, the website, collateral materials, and press releases to increase overall awareness of SAIL. She holds a degree in English and education. Contact Sarah at sarah@sailtoday.org.
Trisha assists with answering our phones, which includes helping members with service requests, coordinating services, and performing the daily automated check-in service for our members. She also helps maintain our database and offers administrative and technical support to the SAIL team. Contact Trisha at Trisha@sailtoday.org.
Miriam joined the AgeBetter Connect team as its first employee in June2021. Prior to her work with Age Better, Miriam enjoyed a 20 year career working as a receptionist and resident liaison at Oakwood Village, and, more recently, as a caregiver for a local home care agency. Her passion for enhancing the lives of older adults continues to be strong and is evident by her interactions with AgeBetter Connect clients.
Andy has worked with nonprofit organizations since 1985. During that time, he has worked with kids, people with disabilities, and older adults, both in direct service and as an executive director. He has also taught Speech at community colleges and has been leading writing groups for older adults since 2015. His own writing has appeared in numerous literary journals and websites.