Our Advisory Circle & Expert Writers
Dr. Marsha McLean
Grandmas2.0
Dr. Marsha McLean is a distinguished college professor, renowned for her groundbreaking work in teacher education and her visionary project, Grandmas2.0 that empowers grandmas to embrace their dreams and transform their lives. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in mental health. She is a motivational speaker and author, known for her book Raising A Prodigal: A Story of Encouragement. Dr. McLean has worked with various organizations, including Cigna, and has experience in corporate speaking and community events related to mental health. She also runs Revive Therapeutic Services, offering counseling and speaking engagements.
jack levine
4 Generations Institute
Proud granddad of two, Jack Levine is founder of the 4Generations Institute, and family policy advocate, based in Tallahassee, FL. He was the director of Voices for Florida’s Children for over 20 years and was “at the table” when Guardian ad Litem was formed in 1990. Jack has been the recipient of many awards for his child and family advocacy; He was designated as a Florida Icon by Florida Trend in November 2018 and named Floridian of the Year by the Orlando Sentinel along with receiving the 2020 Lawton and Rhea Chiles Advocacy Award. Jack is Partnership Director for GRAND magazine.
jaia lent
Generations United
Jaia Peterson Lent is the Deputy Executive Director at Generations United where she provides direction for the National Center on Grandfamilies, a leading voice for issues affecting families headed by grandparents or other relatives. She is a trusted voice on Capitol Hill, having testified before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging. She is a nationally recognized columnist and blogger and a respected media resource. In 2017, Lent was named one of the Top 50 Influencers in Aging by Next Avenue. Under her leadership, legislation has passed to support grandfamilies.
Karen Rancourt, Ph.D.
Ask Dr. Gramma Karen
As a graduate of Boston University, Dr. Rancourt began her career in education as an elementary school teacher. She was an adjunct associate professor at New York University, focusing on Social Sciences, Organizational Behavior and Communication. In addition to IT’S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS! New Ways to Make Them Healthy and Fulfilling, at Home and at Work, Dr. Rancourt authored Ask Dr. Gramma Karen: Helping Young Parents and Grandparents Deal with Thorny Issues and Ask Dr. Gramma Karen, Volume II: Savvy Advice to Soothe Parent-Grandparent Conflicts. Her first book was on parenting, Yeah But, Children Need… Dr. Rancourt’s column, “Ask Dr. Gramma Karen,” provides advice for parents, grandparents, and grandchildren.
Ken Dychtwald
Agewave
Over the past 45+ years, Dr. Ken Dychtwald has emerged as North America’s foremost visionary and original thinker regarding the lifestyle, marketing, health care, economic and workforce implications of the age wave. Ken is a psychologist, gerontologist, and best-selling author of 19 books on aging-related issues. Since 1986, Ken has been the Founder and CEO of Age Wave, an acclaimed think tank and consultancy focused on the social and business implications and opportunities of global aging and rising longevity. His client list has included over half the Fortune 500. He has served as a fellow of the World Economic Forum and was a featured speaker at two White House Conferences on Aging. Ken has received the distinguished American Society on Aging Award for outstanding national leadership three times.
Kerry Byrne
The Long-Distance Grandparent
Kerry Byrne is a researcher, collaborator and entrepreneur in aging, care and connection. She is the Founder of The Long-Distance Grandparent, a mission driven business, helping grandparents build strong bonds with their grandchildren. With 25 years’ experience spanning business, academia and the not-for-profit sector, Kerry’s aim is to strengthen intergenerational connections within families. Kerry has a Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science from Western University and completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in aging and care at the University of British Colombia. She is currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Waterloo.
Lori Bitter
Grandparents Economy
Raised by her grandparents and herself a proud grandmom, Lori has provided strategic consulting, research and product development for companies seeking to engage with mature consumers. She is the author of The Grandparent Economy: How Baby Boomers Are Bridging the Generation Gap and she temporarily served as publisher of GRAND Magazine. Lori is the former president of Continuum Crew and Crew Media. She was president of J. Walter Thompson’s Boomer division, JWT BOOM, the nation’s leading mature market advertising agency.
Pat Burns
Grandparents Rock
Pat Burns is an author, entrepreneur, and lifelong advocate for literacy and creative learning. She co-founded the Orange County Children’s Book Festival in 2004 and served as Executive Director through 2022. She is the founder of the S.T.E.A.M. Race to Space Reading Challenge, a regional initiative inspiring students to read, imagine, and explore the world of STEAM. Pat is the author of Grandparents Rock®: The Grandparenting Guide for the Rock-n-Roll Generation and serves as Executive Editor and Vodcasts Host for GRAND Magazine. She is also the creator and host of the Ageless Inspiration vodcast, featuring conversations with people whose stories inspire creativity, purpose, and positive aging.
Richard & Linda Eyre
Values Parenting
The Eyres are authors of more than 50 books, most of which deal with work/family balance and parenting. Their book, Teaching Your Children Values was a New York Times #1 Best Seller. In addition to their ongoing work with parents, their latest books are about grandparenting and Life in Full for Baby Boomers. The Eyres have been frequent guests on national network shows including Oprah, The Today Show, Prime Time Live, 60 Minutes, and Good Morning America; and they once did regular segments on the CBS Early Show. Richard is a Harvard MBA and president of his own management consulting company. He was former director of the White House Conference on Parents and Children as well as a candidate for Utah Governor. Linda is a teacher, musician, and co-founder of International JoySchools.com.
Wendy Schuman
Former Editor Parents Magazine
Wendy Schuman, former executive editor for Parents magazine is a proud grandmother who started her editing and writing career at Mademoiselle. She has written for Beliefnet.com, the New York Times and other media including GRAND magazine. She co-authored Millennials in Wonderland. In 2012, along with her husband, Wendy launched a volunteer program called Grad Life Choices, matching unemployed college graduates with experienced life and career coaches on a pro bono basis. Today, she and her husband have started New Career Choices to help exiting federal workers.
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