Deanna Page, MS, LPC, NCC, CDP
Program Specialist of Aging Initiatives
Jewish Healthcare Foundation
Bio: Deanna Page is a program specialist on the JHF's Aging Initiatives team. In her role, she supports Dementia Friendly Pennsylvania, Dementia Friends Pennsylvania, the PA Long-Term Care Learning Network, and related aging and policy efforts. Prior to joining the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, Deanna served as a care coordinator for Presbyterian SeniorCare Network's Dementia360 program, where she worked directly with family care partners of persons living with dementia to educate and support their efforts in providing quality care in the home setting and extending the length of time living at home for the person living with dementia. She has experience as a Care Coach with Familylinks, Inc. in the Caregivers First Initiative, which administered Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health II, a structured caregiver intervention based on individualized caregiver needs, to family caregivers of persons living with Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias. Deanna also has experience in family-based mental health services with UPMC on the OCD and anxiety disorders team. Previously, she volunteered with the Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh initiative and was the co-chair of Dementia

Elka Kazmierczak, PhD in Educational Policy Studies, MFA in Design, Former art4empowerment facilitator
Retired art educator and designer
Bio: Retired educator in higher education and graphic designer. Elka was forced to retire prematurely to care for her husband who is living with an early onset PCA-posterior cortical atrophy and PPA-primary progressive aphasia. She has been using her research skills to help empower her husband on the treacherous and cruel path of living with mixed dementia.

Johanna Hernandez, BSN, RN, CDP, CDCM,CADDCT, CMDCPT
Dementia Coach/Consultant
Puzzled Mind & Body, LLC
Bio: Johanna, a Registered Nurse, Reiki Practitioner, and Certified Dementia Care Manager, draws her dedication from personal experiences. Her journey stems from caring for her grandfather with dementia. Realizing the challenges, she shifted her focus to dementia care training and family education. She integrates holistic practices such as Reiki, Meditation, and Yoga, into her training. Being passionate about supporting caregivers and those with dementia, Johanna continues her quest for knowledge and holistic care approaches. She now practices as a Dementia & Life Coach.

Julia Wood, MOT
Director of Professional & Community Education
Lewy Body Dementia Association
Bio: Julia Wood is an occupational therapist specializing in assessment and treatment of people with Parkinson’s disease and related dementias. Julia is currently the director of Professional & Community Education at the Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA). She serves as faculty for the Parkinson’s Foundation’s Team Training for Parkinson program since 2016, certification and training faculty for the LSVT BIG® program since 2018 and served on the Parkinson’s Foundation Rehabilitation Task Force in 2021. She co-authored the first American Occupational Therapy Association Practice Guideline for Parkinson’s Disease in 2022 and serves on the Comprehensive Care Subcommittee for the World Parkinson’s Congress.

Kelly O'Shea Carney, PhD, ABPP, and Spiritual Director Certificate
Board Certified Geropsychologist
Vision Led Change
Bio: Dr. Kelly O'Shea Carney is a licensed psychologist with board certification in Geropsychology and a clinical specially in supporting people living with dementia. She has served as a leader in aging services and long term care creating new and innovative programs designed to support wellbeing, engagement, and enjoyment among older adults and their care partners. Dr. Carney currently works as a consultant to long term living providers and is activity engaged in writing, speaking, teaching, and consulting on the topics of emotional wellbeing, brain health, and innovative models of care for supporting older adults. She previously served as the Chair of Dementia Friendly Lehigh Valley.

Kevin Jameson, Doctor Honorius Causa
Volunteer President | Founder
Dementia Society of America
Bio: Business Executive. Starting as a young entrepreneur from the age of 18, and having launched several start-up businesses in the security industry, Mr. Jameson carried on his career as a sales and marketing executive, which has included over 35 years with major corporate divisions of ADT, BOSCH, and Honeywell International. Author, singer, inventor, and patent holder, Kevin has traveled to Europe, Asia, India, Australia, the Middle East, Africa, South and Central America, and throughout North America to see how the world really lives. Kevin also has a personal story and connection to Dementia. His first wife, Ginny, together for 32 years, died from Dementia, and thus he leads the fight against all forms with thoughts, words, and deeds. In 2016, Jameson was awarded a Doctorate of Public Service, Honoris Causa (DrHC) for his life's work, by his alma mater. His establishment of the Dementia Society is a mission in the making.

Luke Gilligan
Founder & CEO of Resense
Resense
Bio: Luke Gilligan is the founder and CEO of Resense, a pioneering company dedicated to creating dementia-friendly engagement products and programs. Luke combines his passion for improving the quality of life for individuals living with dementia with innovative approaches to reminiscence therapy and cognitive engagement. His company, Resense, develops a wide range of products, including dementia-friendly workbooks, nostalgic newspapers, and comprehensive engagement kits, all designed to enrich the lives of those in the later stages of dementia.

Mary Grace Doloso-Pedroso, BSN, MAN, PhD(c)
Director, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries
Bio: Mary Grace is a seasoned healthcare professional with over 30 years of versatile experience spanning hospitals, academia, training, public health, and elderly care. With a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Arts in Nursing, and currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Management, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her roles. Her dedication to enhancing the quality of elderly care is underscored by more than a decade of experience in dementia care, where she has demonstrated exceptional compassion and skill. Mary's commitment to professional development is evident in her completion of the Nursing Home Administration Course at Pennsylvania State University Abington and the Dementia Practitioner Training at Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences Lancaster, PA.

With her extensive background, she has not only provided direct care to patients but has also contributed significantly to healthcare education and administration. Her anticipated completion of her doctoral degree in August 2024 further solidifies her dedication to advancing healthcare practices and leadership in the field.

Max Winters, RA
Senior Designer
RLPS Architects
Bio: Max has spent a decade focused exclusively on how the built environment can improve the aging experience. He has been a trusted advisor to senior living organizations around the country in the development of long-term visions and realization of those visions through the built environment. His perspectives and design work have been featured in industry forums, publications and the New York Times. Max currently serves on the Board of Directors for The Loomis Communities in Massachusetts and the Advisory Committee for Dementia-Friendly Pennsylvania.

Melissa DeStout, AIA, LEED AP BD&C, AIA, LEED AP BD&C
Associate Principal
Perkins Eastman
Bio: Melissa DeStout is an associate principal and architect at Perkins Eastman, specializing in designing environments with senior living providers across the United States. Her work ranges from complex renovations to new construction across all levels of care. Melissa combines her passion for resident and staff wellbeing with a love of nature to produce spaces that are sustainable and promote wellness in all dimensions.

Melody Karick, C2S, CDP, CMDCP, PCHA, PAC
Dementia Educator and Consultant
Forge Works
Bio: With roots in personal experiences, Melody began a journey in dementia care when she became a care parnter to her father in 2000. She has since achieved knowledge, practice, understanding and multiple certifications in the field. Melody is the creator of Challenges to Solutions (C2S) curriculum and experience. She has a growing passion to see persons living with dementia maintain normalcy, live each day with purpose and move the focus from disability to ability. Melody brings real-life experience, education and hands-on training to train and support individuals, famlies, businesses, organizations and healthcare facilties.