Distinguished Public Servant Recognized for Policy Leadership and Advocacy on Elder Justice, LGBTQ+ and Rural Aging Issues
New York, NY (June 6, 2024)—The trustees of The John A. Hartford Foundation (JAHF) announced Kathy J. Greenlee, JD, as this year’s recipient of The John A. Hartford Foundation Trustees Award for her decades of government service and advocacy on behalf of older adults and people with disabilities, especially those who need long-term services and supports, are at risk of elder abuse, are LGBTQ+ and who live in rural America.
Ms. Greenlee was appointed to the role of U.S. Assistant Secretary for Aging by President Obama in 2009. During her seven years in that position, Ms. Greenlee orchestrated groundbreaking initiatives that reshaped the landscape of elder rights, disability services and healthcare access. One of her enduring legacies is the creation of the Administration for Community Living (ACL) in 2012. The ACL’s creation brought together the federal government’s agencies focused on both older adults and people with disabilities, with a goal of promoting independent living and full community engagement. During her tenure, Ms. Greenlee also worked closely with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and other federal agencies to implement the Affordable Care Act. She chaired the Elder Justice Coordinating Committee on behalf of the White House, created a federal home for state Adult Protective Services programs, and developed the National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System. She also chaired the US Department of Health and Human Services LGBT Issues Coordinating Committee, which advanced policy and program development on behalf of LGBTQ+ individuals.
“We are thrilled to honor Kathy Greenlee, who has left an indelible mark on the landscape of aging and disability services,” said John R. Mach, Jr., chair of The John A. Hartford Foundation Board of Trustees. “She has been a trailblazer and a guiding force in advocating for programs and policy change that promote better health and human dignity.”
Currently, Ms. Greenlee is Senior Director of Elder Justice Initiatives at ADvancing States, which represents the nation’s 56 state and territorial agencies on aging and disabilities and long-term services and supports directors. She serves as a volunteer on a number of advisory bodies and is chair of the National Council on Aging’s Board of Directors. Prior to her federal term, Ms. Greenlee served 18 years in state government. She was Secretary of Aging in Kansas, and before that, she was the state’s Long Term Care Ombudsman, General Counsel for the Kansas Insurance Department and Assistant Attorney General.
The John A. Hartford Foundation and its programs have benefited from Ms. Greenlee’s expertise and guidance. She was a thought leader and champion who helped support the launch of the Aging and Disability Business Institute at USAging, which builds the capacity of community-based organizations and the aging services network to partner with health care organizations. She served as a guide, mentor and strategic advisor to the National Collaboratory to Address Elder Mistreatment. She is currently facilitating an interest group for the National Rural Health Association’s Age-Friendly Rural Initiative. She recently helped organize a summit for the National Center to Reframe Aging, which counters ageism by promoting evidence-based strategies for communicating about aging and older adults.
“Kathy Greenlee is a force for good who has stepped up time and again on behalf of older adults, people with disabilities and the organizations who serve them.” said Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN, president of The John A. Hartford Foundation. “Her contributions are legendary, from her work in federal and state government to supporting our grant programs that promote age-friendly care. We are so grateful for her advocacy and leadership.”
Ms. Greenlee received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Kansas School of Business and her Doctor of Law from the University of Kansas School of Law. She has also had experience as a consultant, launching Greenlee Global, LLC, which focused on aging-related projects regionally, nationally, and internationally. She was a consulting principal with PYA and Senior Health Policy Advisor of the Center for Practical Bioethics.
“I am honored to be recognized by The John A. Hartford Foundation, especially given its mission to improve the care of older adults,” said Ms. Greenlee. “I have worked with the foundation and its grantees for years, and I look forward to continuing that relationship so that all older adults and people with disabilities can live with dignity and support we all need and deserve.”
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Media Contact: Marcus Escobedo, 212-832-7788, marcus.escobedo@johnahartford.org
About The John A. Hartford Foundation
The John A. Hartford Foundation, based in New York City, is a private, nonpartisan, national philanthropy dedicated to improving the care of older adults. For more than three decades, the organization has been the leader in building a field of experts in aging and testing and replicating innovative approaches to care. The foundation has three priority areas: creating age-friendly health systems, supporting family caregivers and improving serious illness and end-of-life care. Working with its grantees, the foundation strives to change the status quo and create a society where older adults can continue their vital contributions. The John A. Hartford Foundation Trustees Award is given every two years to an individual or group that has made outstanding contributions to the improvement of care for older adults through demonstrated excellence in clinical practice, education, research or policy. For more information, visit johnahartford.org.