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
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.
Diane Turner joined Safe at Home, the home safety assessment project of Age Better, Inc. in September 2023 as its program coordinator. Her tasks include recruiting participants, scheduling and coordinating assessments with Madison College Occupational Therapy Assistant students and volunteer retired Occupational Therapists or other health care professionals. She follows up with each assessment participant to provide information and connections to community resources and services. Her background as a small business owner and having held various positions in the UW Health Systems provide her with marketing skills and knowledge of health needs. Contact Diane at diane.turner@agebettertoday.org
Zane began working with SAIL in August of 2022 as an intern, funded through a grant from Bader Philanthropies. His main daily duties consist of researching local businesses for the SAIL Service Provider Directory, helping those businesses through the process of becoming a service provider, and maintaining relationships with our current service providers. Zane will graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the spring of 2024 with a Bachelor of Science degree in consumer behavior and marketplace studies with a certificate in entrepreneurship. Contact Zane at zane@sailtoday.org