Leadership Exchange on Ageism

In 2021, as part of the Power in Aging Project, the Maine Council on Aging designed and launched the first in the nation Leadership Exchange on Ageism (LEA), funded by the Point32Health Foundation, Next50 Initiative, and the Maine Health Access Foundation. Designed for executive business, policy, and community leaders, LEA is designed as a fourteen-hour intensive, participatory, peer-learning-centered leadership development experience. LEA challenges leaders to see their role in ending ageism and connects them to tools they can use to be successful. The last cohort in 2023 was full and overflowing with a wait list, so we’ve added a fourth cohort that will run in November – this is by invitation only and there is limited room available.  Leaders interested in the class can contact Jess Maurer, at jmaurer@mainecouncilonaging.org. Dates for 2024 have not been set.

Mary Lou Ciolfi, JD, MS, Senior Program Manager at UMaine’s Center on Aging issued an evaluation of the first three cohorts of the MCOA’s Leadership Exchange on Ageism (LEA) in June 2023. Key findings of the report include:

• In its first 24 months, the LEA successfully implemented all of its designed and planned activities and achieved its short-term outcomes.
• LEA alumni are taking steps to reduce ageism, including sharing information and resources with myriad others.
• Beyond individual level impact, the anti-ageism messaging that the LEA alumni are carrying into homes, organizations, and communities will, over time, have community-wide and region-wide impact.
• LEA has also made visible progress towards several medium-term outcomes. The LEA team is well-situated to continue strategizing for achievement of remaining institutional-level, medium-term outcomes, and longer-term societal-level outcomes.
• This successful start positions the LEA to grow in one or more ways, including replication to other states and communities.

Read the full report or watch Mary Lou give a brief synopsis of her findings.

Goals of the Leadership Exchange on Ageism:

Understanding Ageism to Build an Age-Positive Culture in Maine

Download the Cycle of Ageism Image

Flipping the Switch on Ageism

The learning doesn’t stop there…

The MCOA hosts a monthly drop-in meeting for LEA alumni of all cohorts to connect with one another, offer support and continue on their anti-ageism journey. This strong alumni network of leaders continue to share readings, articles, and up and coming research to expand upon the learning from the exchange.

As it’s a leadership cohort – we also invite graduates of the program to turn to each other for support and learning, and share their own experiences as they interrupt ageism.

What are LEA Graduates saying about their experience?