Founder Linda Wiener

My affection for older adults was sparked early in my life. As a child, my family moved frequently and I often found myself the new kid on the block. More often than not, my new best friend was an older adult.

When I thought about how I came to be a gerontologist, I realized that I had sub-consciously set the stage in a college writing class. I was a business major. But I wrote an essay about “the plight of the elderly.” I haven’t a clue what I said, but I recognize now that the theme was surely about making a positive difference in the lives of older adults.

My career in gerontology began when I went to work for AARP. For thirteen years I worked with older job seekers, and the employers that hired them. During that time not only was I directly involved in helping thousands of older job seekers re-enter the workforce, but also trained other program directors and managers, nation-wide. In 1995, NCOA honored me with their prestigious Dorothy Bauer award, “National recognition and appreciation for your many years of exemplary service to older workers.”

I also spent two years in the AARP Oregon state office, where I worked extensively with older volunteers and got directly involved with other senior advocacy issues. I made a positive difference in the lives of older adults.

After fifteen years with AARP, I took a career break. Within a year, work involving older adults began to find me again.

Because of my extensive experience recruiting, training and managing older workers, and my understanding of the workplace, employers and business organizations sought me out to help them with staffing issues. In response, I developed and present the Adapting to an Aging Workforce™ workshop.

Since 1999, I have been the Age Issues Expert for Monster.com. As an online career counselor, I host the Age Issues message board, write job search articles and for two years conducted weekly live chats. An expert on mid- career issues, I am often interviewed and frequently quoted in national publications including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, US World & News Report, HR Magazine, CNET, and the Oregonian among others.

Most recently I have specialized in helping gerontology program students explore careers in the field. My Exploring Careers in Aging workbook is the first of its kind. By helping to shape the view of gerontology, I am helping to change the perspective of aging itself.

                         I make a positive difference in the lives of older adults.

My current memberships include:

American Society on Aging

Association for Gerontology in Higher Education

National Association of Workforce Development Professionals
NextAge Speakers Bureau  

Oregon Gerontological Association