Aging and Work at Boston College

The Center's core staff provides leadership, collaboration, and support to the study investigators, members of the SENIOR Advisors, and the Research Advisory Committee. They work with each of these groups in developing and disseminating relevant, research-based information about aging and work to individuals, businesses, and organizations interested in and affected by this issue.

executive director

Marcie Pitt-Catsouphes, PhD	Director Marcie Pitt-Catsouphes directs the Sloan Center on Aging & Work at Boston College. She is an Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Social Work, and has appointments at the Boston College Carroll School of Management and the Business School at Middlesex University in London. She was the Co-Principal Investigator for the 2006 National Study of Business Strategy and Workforce Development and the 2007-2008 Age & Generations Study. Her current work includes oversight of the 2009 Talent Management Study. She will be leading the 2010 Generations of Talent study with colleagues from around the world. She was invited to the 2005 White House Conference on Aging as an issue expert, and recently co-edited a special issue of Generations (2007) that focused on aging and work. Dr. Pitt-Catsouphes was a recipient of the 2007 Work-Life Legacy Award. She serves on several boards and advisory committees, including the National Advisory Committee for Workplace 2010 at Georgetown University, the Strategy Board for the Association of Work/Life Professionals at the World of Work, and the Purdue Center for Families. Dr. Pitt-Catsouphes’ articles have been published in a number of scholarly and practitioner journals. She was a founding co-editor for the international journal, Community, Work and Family. Her publications include The Work-Family Handbook: Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives and Approaches to Research, published by Erlbaum Publishers (2006) which she edited with colleagues. She received her BA from Tufts University, MSP from Boston College, and PhD from Boston University. Phone: 617.552.4033 Email: pittcats@bc.edu

directors

Karen Doherty, MA	Associate Director, Finance & Administration Karen Doherty is the Associate Director of Finance and Administration for the center. Karen is a finance professional with 10 years of experience overseeing operations, budget development, financial reporting, human resource functions, and compliance with funding policies and procedures. Karen earned a masters degree in Higher Education Administration from Boston College and is currently enrolled in the MBA program. Phone: 617.552.2063 Email: dohertkl@bc.edu

Jacquelyn B. James, PhD	Co-director of Research Jacquelyn B. James, a personality and developmental psychologist, is co-director of research at the Sloan Center on Aging & Work and a research professor at the Lynch School of Education at Boston College. Her research has focused on the meaning and experience of work in women’s lives, gender roles, and adult development. Her most recent publication, The Crown of Life: Dynamics of the Early Postretirement Period, details the opportunities and challenges inherent in the early retirement years for new retirees. She is also co-principal investigator of the Workplace Culture and Flexible Work Arrangements study at the center. Dr. James is past-president of the Society for the Study of Human Development and serves on the editorial board of the society’s flagship journal, Research in Human Development. Phone: 617.552.2860 Email: jamesjc@bc.edu

Kathy Lynch, MBA	Director, Employer Engagement Kathy is Director of Employer Engagement at the Sloan Center on Aging & Work at Boston College. In her role, Kathy works in partnership with decision-makers at the workplace to ensure that their voice is evident throughout all phases of the Center's research. Kathy brings to her role over a decade of experience in Employer Partnerships and University based research and project management. Kathy's content expertise spans the work/life and diversity fields, and quality employment for the multigenerational workforce. Phone: 617.552.2865 Email: lynchks@bc.edu

Tay K. McNamara, PhD	Co-director of Research Tay K. McNamara is the co-director of research at the Sloan Center on Aging & Work at Boston College. Due to her past experience in using large datasets, she both serves as an internal consultant and to oversee research projects related to secondary data sets. Additionally, her current research projects include secondary analysis related to work in countries around the world and a primary data collection project dealing with state agencies as employers. Phone: 617.552.8971 Email: mcnamatd@bc.edu

Chad Minnich, MAVA	Assistant Director, Marketing & Communications Chad Minnich currently directs marketing and communications efforts for the center. Chad is a marketing professional with over 10 years experience in design, communications and creative management. He has produced numerous award-winning print and multimedia projects for both academic and corporate clients in addition to exhibiting his own painting and photography. Chad earned a Master's degree in Visual Anthropology from the University of Southern California. Phone: 617.552.3122 Email: minnicch@bc.edu

staff and students

Elyssa Besen	Research Assistant Doctoral Student Lynch School of Education, Boston College Elyssa Besen is a research assistant at the Sloan Center on Aging & Work. Her primary work is on the Age & Generations Study. In addition to her work at the center, Elyssa is a doctoral student in the Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology Program at Boston College. Her research interest is the role of work in adult development. Phone: 617.552.1354 Email: besen@bc.edu

Melissa Brown, MSW	Research Assistant Doctoral Student Graduate School of Social Work, Boston College Melissa Brown is a research assistant at the Sloan Center on Aging and Work and a doctoral student in the Graduate School of Social Work at Boston College. She also collaborates on the Family Caregivers of the Elderly Project, being conducted by the Families and Work Institute. Phone: 617.552.9195 Email: browntv@bc.edu

René Carapinha, MSW	Research Assistant Doctoral Student Graduate School of Social Work, Boston College René Carapinha is a doctoral student in the Graduate School of Social Work at Boston College. Her research focus is on global corporate citizenship and analysis of business models and strategies that enhance employee and community wellbeing and development. Previously, René worked at the Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College and as a researcher at the Centre for Social Development in Africa at the University of Johannesburg. René also served as the National Chairperson of the South African Occupational Social Work Association. Phone: 617.552.9195 Email: pretoriu@bc.edu

Betty Eckhaus Cohen, MPH, MLS	Information Services Specialist Betty Eckhaus Cohen is the Information Services Specialist at the Sloan Center on Aging and Work at Boston College, where she is responsible for maintaining the center’s searchable databases of Aging and Work Facts and Aging and Work Literature. She also assists in identifying and evaluating scholarly literature, reports and other sources of information that support the center's on-going research agenda. Betty previously served for 8 years heading the Social Work Library at Boston College, and has prior experience in library management, research and teaching in public health and academic settings. Phone: 617.552.1401 Email: betty.cohen@bc.edu

Masa Higo, MA	Research Associate PhD Candidate Sociology Department, Boston College Masa Higo is a research associate at the Sloan Center on Aging & Work at Boston College, where he is in charge of supporting research recruiters' activities as the project manager for the Generations of Talent Study. Masa is also a doctoral candidate in the Sociology Department at Boston College. His research focuses mainly on cross-national comparative studies on the role of public policy with respect to older worker labor force participation and retirement in Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Phone: 617.552.1181 Email: higo@bc.edu

Serena Houle, MSW	Research Assistant Serena Houle has recently earned her Masters in Social Work from Boston College. At the center she will assist the Employer Engagement department in a number of endeavors as well as provide support to MARCOM. Phone: 617.552.2890 Email: houles@bc.edu

Shoghik Hovhannisyan, MA	Research Assistant PhD Candidate Economics Department, Boston College Shoghik Hovhannisyan is currently pursuing her PhD degree in Economics at Boston College and she is also actively collaborating with the Sloan Center on Aging & Work. Shoghik holds a Masters degree in International Development Policy from Duke University and a Masters degree in Economics from Boston College. Since 2005 she has also been involved as a consultant in various organizations including the World Bank, Urban Institute and Duke Center for International Development. Phone: 617.552.6669 Email: hovhanns@bc.edu

Je'Lesia M. Jones	Editor Prior to joining the Sloan Center as editor, Je'Lesia M. Jones was a Press Secretary for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for nearly ten years, serving under three Governors. Her responsibilities included being writer/editor of the annual reports for the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. She also worked as Training Coordinator at the Central Artery Tunnel Project. Je'Lesia has also worked as a writer at the National Broadcasting Company and the Public Broadcasting Service. She has been a writer, editor and graphic artist for numerous publications and organizations, including the Martha's Vineyard Times and has served as a free lance writer with the Wellesley Townsman since 1989. Je'Lesia is active in the Town of Wellesley, representing Precinct G as a Town Meeting Member, periodically teaching writing for community organizations. She is a mentor to a young woman and volunteers with the elderly. Phone: 617.552.9195 Email: jonesfn@bc.edu

Suzanne Lawler	Administrative Associate Sue Lawler has been Administrative Associate at the Sloan Center on Aging & Work for over two years, managing several administrative efforts for the Center. She is the Event Coordinator providing assistance in all aspects of event planning including live and virtual meetings. Sue also maintains the Center’s contact database which tracks constituent relationships to the Center. Prior to joining the Center, Sue worked at a major mutual fund company in Boston as an Equity Trader as well as Co-Chairing several fundraising efforts for non-profit organizations. Sue holds a BS degree in Finance from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth. Phone: 617.552.1163 Email: lawlersa@bc.edu

Jungui Lee, EdD	Research Associate Jungui Lee is a research associate at the Sloan Center on Aging & Work at Boston College, where she works on Country Context Studies and coordinates other researchers in regard to this project. She has taught human resource development and lifelong education and her research interests include educational program development and evaluation for older adults, career development of older workers, and cross-national comparative research with regard to training policies. Phone: 617.552.3220 Email: leeatl@bc.edu

Lauren Leonard	Administrative Assistant Lauren Leonard is the Administrative Assistant for the Sloan Center on Aging & Work at Boston College. Lauren has a background in Higher Education Administration, including roles in budget management, research, event planning, institutional advancement and web management. Prior to joining the center, Lauren coordinated for the Child Development Institute at Sarah Lawrence College, conducting research on the status of play in Kindergarten classrooms. Lauren graduated from Middlebury College with a B.A. in psychology and education. Phone: 617.552.0015 Email: francola@bc.edu

Christina Matz-Costa, MSW	Research Associate PhD Candidate Graduate School of Social Work, Boston College Christina Matz-Costa is a research associate at the Sloan Center on Aging & Work at Boston College, where she is in charge of data management and analysis for the Age & Generations Study and the National Study of Business Strategy and Workforce Development. Christina is also a doctoral candidate in the Graduate School of Social Work at Boston College. Her research interests include employee engagement, productive aging, work-family issues, employer response to the aging of the workforce, quantitative data analysis and multi-level modeling. Phone: 617.552.1405 Email: matzch@bc.edu

Huong Nguyen	Computer Support/Communications Specialist Huong is a Computer Support/Communications Specialist at the Sloan Center on Aging & Work at Boston College. In that role, Huong provides support for the center's web-based communications strategies. Prior to joining the center, Huong was a UI/web developer at Stanford University's Academic Computing Department for nearly a decade. At Stanford she helped develop web-based, open-source course management software. Phone: 617.552.8401 Email: nguyenbl@bc.edu

Gaurie Pandey	Communications Specialist Gaurie Pandey is the Communication Specialist at the Sloan Center. She designs and produces marketing collateral and center research publications. Gaurie brings close to 10 years experience in graphic design and product branding to help establish and maintain visual standards. She graduated from the University of Toronto in Fine Arts & Art History and has earned a post graduate degree from Sheridan College in Interactive Multimedia Design. Phone: 617.552.9197 Email: pandeyg@bc.edu

Farooq Pasha, MA	Research Assistant Doctoral Student Economics Department, Boston College Farooq Pasha is a research assistant at the Sloan Center on Aging & Work at Boston College, where he is part of the Global Initiatives project. Farooq is also a doctoral student in the Department of Economics at Boston College. His research at the center focuses mainly on job related values in developing countries. Phone: 617.552.9197 Email: pasha@bc.edu

Michelle M. Wong, JD, MSW	Research Assistant Michelle Wong is a Research Assistant at the Sloan Center on Aging & Work. Her research focuses on public policy in the United States, both at the state and federal level. Michelle’s prior work includes analysis of federal employment laws, research for the States as Employers-of-Choice study and state profiles focused on labor force demographics. Phone: 617.552.9195 Email: wongno@bc.edu

Pamela Woodnick, ABD	Project Manager, Employer Learning Circle Pamela is Project Manager for the Employer Learning Circle Pods at the Sloan Center on Aging & Work at Boston College. She works with Employer Learning Circle participants to address various aspects of human resources such as Health & Wellbeing and Talent Management through the prism of age, helping them to surface and share innovative ideas and emerging issues and practices in these areas. Pamela brings a wealth of human resources knowledge to her role at the Center from her twenty five years as a human resources professional, fifteen of those years in the senior human resources position for international and global financial services, professional services, and consumer products companies. Phone: 617.552.9117 Email: woodnick@bc.edu

executive director

directors

staff and students