OLDER DOMINION PARTNERSHIP

Members/Partners

Member Profiles

Name: Sherrie Brach

Title: Chief Executive Officer

Company/Organization: United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg

ODP Member Since: December 10, 2007

ODP Committee Affiliation: Board of Directors, Civic Engagement, Community Readiness

Summarize your professional background relevant to Age Wave preparedness.

My work with United Way for the last 20 years has exposed me to the changing demographics and the most pressing issues facing our community.  We have been focused on meeting the needs of older adults for the last ten years and are currently dealing with substantial gaps in service.  The changing demographics as it relates to the aging of boomers tells us that the delivery system is going to be further strained and will present further challenges that we must deal with.

What expertise or other strengths do you bring to the Older Dominion Partnership?

The ability to mobilize a variety of stakeholders around common goals and issues, experience in working in collaborative approaches, knowledge of how this issue will affect the Commonwealth and ability to identify solutions and approaches for how we can address them collectively.

What do you believe are the most pressing issues in Age Wave-preparedness in Virginia today?

Because there are so many service gaps for our seniors today, many are not thinking about planning for the future.   Transportation, health care and caregiving are issues we are dealing with today and will need careful consideration in order to meet future needs.

What advice do you have for age wave planning in Virginia?

There needs to be more attention raised about the issue, and all sectors will need to work together on creative approaches.  This needs effective planning from all sectors across Virginia, data and information, and measurable outcomes that drive change in all communities.