President, highest ranking volunteer at AARP
What is the most rewarding career accomplishment? Having spent nearly 25 years with the San Francisco program, On Lok Senior Health Service. The program started in our Chinese, Filipino, and Italian communities, and was designed to help elders stay in their own homes and community with culturally appropriate services. I am so proud that this locally designed health program that originated from an ethnic community became a mainstream Medicare program which today operates in 31 states. We were able to change and create policy, from the ground up, that has meaning, value, quality, and accountability that continues to grow.
Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
Web site: www.aarp.org
Primary Business: Founded in 1958, AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ improve the quality of their lives.
Employees: 2,154
What’s the worst fault a leader can have? A leader is at risk when she feels that she has THE answer without always understanding the context of the situation and recognizing that others have important points of view that matter. I subscribe to the school of servant leadership, wherein one is constantly aware that it isn’t about me but about the us and the mission at stake. We will all have opportunities to be the team leader and the team member. One is not “better” than the other, but is simply what is needed at the time based on the work at hand to be done.
Education: Boston College; University of California, San Francisco; Honorary Doctorate, Boston College
What I’m reading: John Adams, by David McCullough
My philosophy: Work hard, with integrity and respect for others, on what you care about and which helps to make a difference to society.
Interests: Reading, orchids, mini get-aways, international travel with husband.