Laura Cameron, Executive Director of the NYS Association of Area Agencies on Aging

Laura Cameron advocates on behalf of New York State's 59 Area Agencies on Aging for the NYS Association of Area Agencies on Aging, which exist all over the state and nation in support of
programs and services for our oldest citizens. Here she is on the right with Sen. David Valesky at the #ACUU (Aging Concerns Unite Us) conference. He was the Chairman of the State's Aging Committee.

During her tenure, Laura established the "Aging Concerns Unite Us" annual conference, which brings together more than 400 professionals from aging-related organizations such as AARP, the Empire State Association of Assisted Living, Lifespan of Greater Rochester and New York State Adult Day Services Administration, among others. Some of the issues addressed include:

•     Affordable Care Act and is implications for older adults.
•     Helping caregivers find respite in New York.  
•     Uniform screening tools for assessing risk   
•     Medicaid Redesign                                                     

In recognition of this collaborative event, Laura received the "Association Excellence Award" in 1997 from the Empire State Society of Association Executives (ESSAE), an organization representing associations in New York State.

Laura has been actively involved with a group of 15 aging organizations -- the Aging Alliance -- that collaborate on aging policy issues and promote funding for community-based services for older New Yorkers. Together the group introduced a proposal to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's SAGE commission, a solution for long-term care in New York that would streamline aging services by enhancing the role of the New York State Office for the Aging.

Laura served as Chair of the Board of the Board of Directors of the Empire State Society of Association Executives (ESSAE). She is a graduate of the 1998-1999 "Capital Leadership" class sponsored by the Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce.

Email Laura
Association on Aging in New York
272 Broadway
Albany, NY 12204
(518) 449-7080, ext. 12

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                   Karen Thornton, Director of Member Services

Karen Thornton, Director of Member Services, joined the Association in 2009. Karen has more than 15 years in the human services, not-for-profit arena, mainly as a fundraiser, event planner and volunteer coordinator.

Email Karen
Association on Aging in New York
272 Broadway, Albany, NY 12204, (518) 449-7080, ext. 11