Carey graduate is empowering America’s fastest growing population—seniors

“This is a time that is critical to older Americans, given the fact that we know that the demographics of our country and this world are changing,” said Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan (MBA ’07) the new CEO of AARP. “The ability for AARP to represent the 50-plus community in this way is such an incredible time for us.”

AARP is an influential nonprofit, nonpartisan organization representing a constituency of more than 100 million Americans, with a mission to empower people as they age. And according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Americans 50 and older are the nation’s fastest-growing demographic group, representing more than one-third of the population.

Minter-Jordan, who is the first physician to lead AARP, spent much of her career as a practicing physician, public health advocate, and business leader devoted to helping improve the health and wellness of individuals and communities. Before leading AARP, she was president and CEO of CareQuest Institute for Oral Health and CEO and chief medical officer of the Dimock Center in Massachusetts, one of the nation’s largest community health centers.

The business of health foundation

Although AARP is not a health provider, Minter-Jordan says the organization is deeply involved in the business of health, as it seeks to improve the lives of seniors overall.

“I define wellness very broadly, and I would say my training as well as my experience in business school helped to inform the way that I think about wellness. It includes all of the social determinants of health that we think about. It also includes financial wellness.,” Minter-Jordan explained.

Minter-Jordan credits her MBA and education from the Carey Business School as “foundational” in guiding her career.

“Having the business sense of understanding the financials, understanding how you think about programs and opportunities such that they are sustainable - that's the lens that the Carey Business School helped me to develop,” she said.

As examples, Minter-Jordan cites AARP’s advocacy on behalf of seniors on issues such as Social Security, Medicare, and family caregiving, including legislation to provide tax relief to family caregivers. “Either you are going to be a family caregiver, or you will need caregiving at some point in your life. So, the ability for us to understand how critically important this is to those 50-plus is something that we take very seriously,” she said.

AI and age tech

Minter-Jordan sees tremendous potential in the age tech industry, meaning digital tools and technology that could improve the lives of aging adults. “There is a $96 trillion opportunity within the age tech space,” she said. “Age tech is certainly a significant area that needs new approaches and disruptive technologies that can help people to choose how they live as they age. It is something that I think is incredibly important and exciting.”

Minter-Jordan highlights AARP’s work with Embr Lab, a technology company pioneering solutions for women experiencing menopause. The company has developed an innovative watch that delivers cooling relief along the body’s pulse points, helping alleviate the discomfort of hot flashes.

AARP’s mission is not just for seniors

While AARP’s focus is on helping older Americans, Minter-Jordan reminds younger business students and executives that they can also find value and opportunity in the organization’s mission.

“Understand that while we are focused on those aged 50-plus, there are issues that a 30-year-old needs to consider now. We think about financial resiliency as an example. To wait until you're 50 can often be too late,” she said. “Think about how you create the right businesses that are engaging people as they age to help prepare them for the longer term. We're living longer than we ever have before.”