KATE SCHAEFERS NAMED AARP MINNESOTA VOLUNTEER STATE PRESIDENT

SAINT PAUL—AARP Minnesota has announced the appointment of Kate Schaefers as its new State President-- the highest state-level volunteer position within the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that has nearly 660,000 members statewide. Schaefers, a licensed psychologist and consultant, will begin the two-year role immediately.

Boffeli, Seth

As AARP Minnesota State President, Schaefers will work with AARP members, volunteers, staff, legislators, and state residents on key issues facing the 50-plus population and all Minnesotans. These issues include building a strong financial future for individuals and connecting people to resources that help them live their best lives and meet the demands of caregiving and aging.

“Kate truly embodies everything AARP is striving to achieve on a state and national level – changing the outdated belief that people are somehow limited by age,” said AARP Minnesota State Director Will Phillips. “She understands that people over 50 are doing amazing things across Minnesota and she is working to help them prepare for what’s next in all phases of their lives. We are thrilled and honored to have Kate on board to help lead our statewide efforts.”

Schaefers is a founding board member of SHIFT, a Twin Cities nonprofit that helps people transition into new careers in the second half of life. She also contributes to the Encore.org leadership community, and the Life Planning Network, two national organizations that promote meaningful work in the second half of life. Her company, Encore Life Planning, serves individuals as they manage midlife career transitions and organizations as they explore ways to tap the talent of an aging workforce. She specializes in nonprofit careers, midlife and mid-career change, and encore careers in addition to teaching at the University of St. Thomas.

“I am excited about the opportunity to work closely with AARP Minnesota. AARP is a leader in reframing the conversation around aging and we are working on the issues that matter most to those over 50 in our state,” said Schaefers. “It is an honor to help represent a diverse group of statewide members that transcends gender, race, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, political affiliation and includes people rural and urban, working full time and retired, and parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.”

Schaefers succeeds former St. Paul Mayor Jim Scheibel who was recently appointed Regional Volunteer Director for AARP.

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