Details
October 12, 2026
4:30PM - 5:30PM EST
Careers & Conversations: Pathways into the Field of Aging
Real Stories, Smart Strategies, and Steps to Launch Your Career
VIRTUAL
Careers & Conversations:
Pathways into the Field of Aging
DESCRIPTION
Are you curious about a career that makes a lasting impact on individuals and communities? Join us for Careers & Conversations: Pathways into the Field of Aging, a dynamic panel discussion designed for college students ready to explore meaningful work in the aging services sector. Our panel of professionals will share their personal journeys into the field, offering insights into what inspired them, the steps they took to get started, and how they’ve built successful and fulfilling careers. You’ll gain practical advice on:
- How to set yourself up for success in the job market
- What skills and experiences employers are looking for
- The variety of roles available in aging services—from healthcare to policy, education, and beyond
- How to align your passions with career opportunities
- Tips for networking, internships, and building a strong resume
Whether you're just beginning to explore your options or already passionate about working with older adults, this conversation will help you take the next step with confidence.
DATE: MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2026
TIME: 4:30PM - 5:30PM EST
FREE EVENT
PANELISTS
Abigail Morgan is the Chief Executive Officer at Direction Home Akron Canton. Her team is responsible for strategic and operational planning, provider relations, project & performance management, development, quality improvement, and new programs. She has worked with the Aging Network for 15+ years and has the privilege of working with Area Agencies on Aging all over the country. Prior to working at Direction Home, Abby held positions at the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (USAging), Administration for Community Living (ACL), and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Abby has a Master's in Social Services and a Master's in Law and Social Policy from Bryn Mawr College, and a Master's in Business Administration/Data Analytics from Ohio University. She is a national speaker on community-integrated health networks, a trained facilitator for Organizing for Health, and Leadership Akron Graduate, Class 39.
Tracy Barnett has been in the Senior Living field for more than 25 years with an expertise in sales and marketing, business development and leadership at the community, regional and corporate levels. As Director of Business Development, Sales & Marketing with Stella Maris in Timonium, Tracy provides empathy, guidance and support during what can often be a difficult and emotional transition for seniors and their loved ones. As a graduate of Stevenson University with a degree in Human Services, Tracy paved her own path in the aging industry by spearheading her own Social Work internship with Erickson Living, the first in Stevenson’s history. That internship served as a stepping stone for Tracy’s vast experience in the industry including Life Plan Communities, Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing, Short-Term Rehabilitation, Long-Term Care, Hospice, Adult Medical Day Programs and more. Tracy is an avid member of her local community and is involved with several highly respected organizations including her role as VP of Business Development with the Maryland Gerontological Association (MGA), Harford GAIN (Geriatric Assistance Information Network) as Past President and current Board Member at Large, Dementia Friendly Baltimore Counties Leadership Team, and more. Tracy believes that aging is a gift and feels privileged to serve alongside those who support both seniors and their care partners. She is able to draw upon her years of both personal and professional experience and training to connect those in need with the right resource at the right time.
Leanne Clark-Shirley, PhD, is President & CEO of the American Society on Aging. A social gerontologist with over two decades of experience spanning the nonprofit, consulting, and academic sectors, she brings a rare combination of research rigor and strategic leadership to the field of aging. Before joining ASA, Clark-Shirley served as Senior Evaluation Advisor at AARP, where she guided strategic planning, strengthened the organization's internal evaluation research capacity, and advanced impact measurement at both the departmental and enterprise levels. Previously, she led the Aging and Disability research practice at IMPAQ International, a policy research firm and think tank, directing studies that informed national policy on aging and disability. A fellow of the Gerontological Society of America, Clark-Shirley teaches courses on aging policy and is a dedicated mentor to emerging professionals pursuing careers in aging beyond academia. She holds a doctorate in Gerontology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Morgan Spliedt, MS, CDP, is a gerontologist with more than 12 years of experience in aging services. She earned her bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University and her master's degree in Gerontology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Prior to her current role, Morgan served as a Senior Research Coordinator at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where she coordinated community-based dementia support programs for people living with dementia and their care partners. Morgan currently serves as the Livable Communities Program Manager for the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence. In this role, she leads Age-Friendly Howard County, a community-wide initiative that works to make Howard County a more inclusive, accessible, and livable place for people of all ages.
Help spread the word. Download the event flyer! Careers and Conversations: Pathways Into the Field of Aging
Partner Organizations: OAGE and Maryland Gerontological Association
