North Carolina Leader in Aging Advocacy and Service Joins the AARP NC Team

RALEIGH, NC — Heather Burkhardt, MSW, of Raleigh, NC, is the recently appointed Associate State Director for AARP in the Triangle Region.

Burkhardt, with an educational background in social work and gerontology, has extensive experience when it comes to the aging community. Most recently, she was the Executive Director of the North Carolina Coalition on Aging (NCCOA), a project manager for Resources for Seniors Inc., and Assistant Director for the Division on Aging and Adult Services at the NC Department of Health and Human Services.

Throughout her professional career, she has provided leadership among aging advocates, cultivated relationships with community partners as well as state and local officials, and has been a key educator in North Carolina communities about aging-related matters.

For her work promoting the needs of older adults to policymakers, Burkhardt recently received the “Excellence in the Aging” Award presented by the North Carolina Association on Aging. In addition, Burkhardt has served as a member and a leader in various committees and taskforces including the Carolina Aging Alliance Board of Directors and NC Institute of Medicines Taskforce on Healthy Aging.

AARP North Carolina Director Michael Olender said, “Heather Burkhardt is passionate about meeting the needs of adults as they age so they have the health and economic security to live their best lives. Throughout her career, her main focus has always been on improving the lives of the aging community.”

Burkhardt explains, “AARP is a leader in making positive social change for people of all ages and plays an important role in our state’s communities. The AARP mission and its values align so closely with my own and I look forward to helping make this state a great place to grow old.”

Burkhardt, who has worked with volunteers in many capacities, knows how important they are to the success of local advocacy, programs and social opportunities for AARP members and others.

“AARP volunteers are the real backbone of what’s being done to help improve the lives in the Triangle, and all across the state. She encourages those who want to lend their skills, expertise and knowledge by giving back to their communities, to touch base about volunteer opportunities with AARP.

Outside of the workplace, Burkhardt enjoys spending quality time with her three children. Burkhardt is actively involved in her children’s extracurricular activities as she is always present at their events supporting them in the activities that her children love. Burkhardt is a big fan of the outdoors. She enjoys going camping, hiking, and admiring all that nature has to offer.

Burkhardt can be reached at AARP by calling 919-508-0260 or by sending email to hburkhardt@aarp.org

Follow her on X at AARPNCTriangle