2026 Forum on Aging Speakers
| Speaker | Speaker Job Title | Workshop |
|---|---|---|
 Kelsey Bergfeld, BA | Chief Policy Officer, Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging Click for bio | H.R. 1 and the Aging Network: Funding Shifts, Program Impacts and What Advocates Need to Know |
| Eric Carpenter, JD | Program Director Ombudsman, Pro Seniors Click for bio | Panel Discussion: Protective Services and Ombudsman Process, from Start to Finish |
 Lori Catalano, PhD, JD, MSN | Associate Professor Clinical Nursing, University of Cincinnati, College of Nursing Click for bio | Medical Marijuana: Implications for Nurses in Ohio |
 Kristin Cooley, LISW-S, LCSW | Program Director, Giving Voice Foundation Click for bio | The Unspoken Symptoms of Dementia: What They Are & How to Manage |
| Sarah DeMoss, MSW | Screening Manager, Butler County Children Services Click for bio | Panel Discussion: Protective Services and Ombudsman Process, from Start to Finish |
 Patricia Faust, MGS | Owner, My Boomer Brain Click for bio | The Long-term Impact of Poverty on Brain Aging and Brain Health |
 Meghan Fawcett, LPCC-S, LICDC-CS | Owner, Rustbelt Counseling and Consulting, LLC Click for bio | Part 1 and 2 Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in Care for Older Adults |
 Lisa Frye, BA | Guardian Manager, LifeSpan Click for bio | Understanding Guardianship for Older Adults: Its Purpose and Applications |
 Therese Gopaul-Robinson, MPH | Speaker, Consultant and Author Click for bio | Keynote: Getting Better Together Workshop: Communication with Impact: Mastering Message Framing |
 Rebecca Griffin, PhD | Director of Education, HOME Housing Opportunities Made Equal Click for bio | Fair Housing for Care Providers |
 Irene Hamrick, MD, FAAFP, AGSF | Emeritus Professor, University of Cincinnati, Department of Family and Community Medicine Click for bio | Normal Aging Changes and Common Geriatric Syndromes |
 Jennifer Haywood, LISW-S, LICDC-CS | Clinical Social Worker and Addiction Specialist, Haywood Counseling Click for bio | Part 1 and 2: Motivational Interviewing, Techniques Used with Difficult Conversations |
 Mary Ann Jacobs, Esq. | Attorney, Ritter & Randolph, LLC Click for Bio | Understanding Guardianship for Older Adults: Its Purpose and Applications |
 Kevin Kurpieski, BA | Social Services Supervisor, Adult Protective Services, Butler County JFS Click for Bio | Panel Discussion: Protective Services and Ombudsman Process, from Start to Finish |
 Laurie Luken, MSW | Guardianship Services Manager, Meals on Wheels of Northern KY and Southwestern OH Click for Bio | Understanding Guardianship for Older Adults: Its Purpose and Applications |
 Karri Owens, BSW | Adult Protective Services, Butler County JFS Click for bio | Panel Discussion: Protective Services and Ombudsman Process, from Start to Finish |
 Jeff Rhein, MRC, PCC-s, LICDC-CS | Deputy Director – Outpatient, Substance Use Disorder, Crisis & Criminal Justice Services, Mental Health Recovery Board Click for bio | Overview of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and Problem Gambling (PG) among older individuals |
 Doug Smucker, MD | Emeritus Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Click for bio | Do I Need a Living Will? Understanding Advance Directives and Conversations About End-of-Life Choices |
 Kim Vesey, RN | Owner, My Hope Path Click for bio | Closing Keynote: Caring for the Aged: The Grief We Carry Within Us and Workshop: Being with the Dying and Those Who Love Them |
 Mary Wolff, MS | Coordinator, Hamilton County Suicide Prevention Coalition, Talbert House Click for bio | Question, Persuade, Refer- Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training |