To bring you the best and most accurate information, we occasionally feature posts by external experts. These people all have extensive knowledge and experience in their subject areas, bringing new light to important topics.
The following are our current experts, a list we hope to grow in the future.
Dolores (Lola) Ortiz
Lola has over 15 years of expertise in management, leadership, organizational, and human development.
After a grueling experience as a family caregiver to her parents, both whom passed away after difficult battles with cancer, she moved from the business sector and committed her life’s work to guiding others in nurturing their individual strengths, talents, and leadership, particularly other seniors and caregivers.
Lola is our resident Spanish-language writer and translator. She is a highly skilled certified translator who specializes in healthcare, medical, and aging content.
During her time at AARP, she launched an aggressive community outreach effort with diverse and aging communities, by fostering partnerships with organizations such as the Vida Senior Center and the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, as well as participating in events such as the Telemundo Family Fair Event.
Karen Ling
Karen Ling has a Bachelor of the Arts in Psychology and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. She is an expert in human and activity analysis and is passionate about spreading inclusion. Helping people to live their lives as independently and as fully as possible is one of Karen’s goals.
When Karen is not working, you can find her going on food adventures with friends and family, creating original art pieces, browsing blogs on designs and brainstorming how to incorporate those beautiful styles with accessibility functions.
Jessica McIlvane
Dr. McIlvane has over 20 years of experience as a gerontologist and psychologist. Over the course of her career, Dr. McIlvane has performed extensive field research on aging and health, having interviewed and learned from hundreds of older adults about the triumphs and challenges that come with aging.
In addition, Dr. McIlvane has taught on aging and lifespan development in both in the classroom and in the community. Her work as a Gerontology Consultant focuses on providing information, advice, and resources to boomers and seniors as they navigate life transitions (e.g., retirement, aging in place) and prepare to maintain a high quality of life as they age.
As a former Associate Professor at the University of South Florida, she led research on coping with stress and chronic illness in middle-aged and older adults (e.g., arthritis, mild cognitive impairment) and racial/ethnic health disparities in arthritis.
Dr. McIlvane’s additional experience includes her work at the National Institute of Nursing Research at the National Institutes of Health as a Science & Technology Policy Fellow through the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and as a Health Science Policy Analyst and Legislative Contact.
William Grote
William Grote, author of Helping Your Aging Parent: A Step-by-Step Guide, has a BA in Journalism, and spent over 35 years in publishing how-to and helping guides. He was editor of an architectural magazine and wrote newspaper and technical articles for decades. When his independent 78-year-old mother exhibited signs of dementia he was inducted into action and wrote the first edition of Helping Your Aging Parent in 2002 based on his experiences. He revised the original book in 2023 to add levity and updated clarity.
When not writing, Mr. Grote tends a backyard garden of rare fruit trees and a micro vineyard. He continues to persist at the elusive goal of producing a decent wine.
David Venson
David Venson is a former U.S. Marine and Veteran and has an extensive background in cybersecurity. He enjoys helping seniors become more tech-savvy and stay safe online.
He has a passion for grilling and smoking mouth-watering meats. His other talents include growing fruits and vegetables in his garden that will withstand the desert heat, and using what he grows to make natural remedies.
Vanessa Aldaz, MPH RDN CDCES
Registered dietitian nutritionist and founder of the Better Brain Way Plan, Vanessa received her MPH in Nutrition from Loma Linda University in 2004 and has a B.S. in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from the University of California San Diego.
She has specialized in ketogenic diet therapies for epilepsy and neurological disorders for the past 18 years in the clinical setting working with patients of all ages including infants. She has now dedicated her passion and expertise for brain health and nutrition by helping women improve their brain health and regain their energy and confidence through nutrition and mindfulness techniques.
Follow Vanessa on IG @vanessa.a.nutrition
Facebook business page: @thegoodbrainRD
Read her free guide here