Advisory Committee on Aging
The Older American Act (OAA) requires that community stakeholders play a strong role in administering the OAA activities in each region. Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging (AAAA) ensures this through membership from each county in our region on our Advisory Committee on Aging (ACA). This group advises the work of the AAAA and recommends funding, targeting and strategic action to the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission (ARDC) board and commission.
The ARDC Advisory Committee on Aging has broad representation from aging consumers, advocacy groups, faith communities, volunteer organizations, educational institutions, and county government, to name a few. One-half of the committee must be age 60+. Terms are for 3 years and members may serve two consecutive terms.
The purpose of the Advisory Committee on Aging:
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Represent the views of older adults.
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Conduct public hearings.
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Review and recommend local proposals for funding under the Older Americans Act.
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Review and comment on policy.
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Advise and assist AAAA staff in planning.
Minnesota Board on Aging Guideline – No officer, employee, owner, or director of an organization that receives Older Americans Act funds from an Area Agency on Aging shall participate as a director or staff for that Area Agency on Aging, nor on an advisory committee to Area Agencies on Aging.
To ensure equity in distribution, the AAAA uses a Review Task Force (RTF) comprised of community volunteers representing each county in the region. These volunteers read, review and score all applications and present their recommendations to the Advisory Committee on Aging (ACA). Once the ACA has approved funding amounts and heard recommendations, a full slate of funding awards is recommended to the ARDC Board for final approval. AAAA strives to work with these committees to distribute funding in each county reflective of the Intrastate Funding Formula and the regional demographics of each county.
MEET OUR ACA MEMBERS
CHAIR
Pamela Franklin
VICE CHAIR
Emily Fuerste Swanson
SECRETARY
Jenell Feller
ARDC BOARD REPRESENTATIVE
Steve Lyons
AITKIN COUNTY
Nancy Stratman
A retired long-term care administrator in the state of MN, Nancy has served in various rural communities and facilities offering of services older adults. She worked with the CMCOA in projects and has an understanding and appreciation of the work that the regional agencies do. Currently she is enrolled in two of the AAA’s evidence-based online courses that were created to build healthy Minnesotans.
Scott Turner
(1/24 – 12/26)
Scott retired after a 32-year career in law enforcement, with the last nearly 14 years serving as Aitkin County sheriff. During that time, he worked to establish a local law enforcement and older adult Triad group and taught the AARP Defensive Driving. He continues to serve his community as a firefighter.
His work experience and volunteer activities gives Scott a good understanding of the challenges presented to older adults from all walks of life. He is committed to helping with these challenges. As he has a good understanding of the resources available and perhaps where there are resource gaps.
CARLTON COUNTY
Emily Fuerste Swanson
(1/21-12/23)
Emily is deeply engaged in her community driven by a belief that arts and culture are powerful tools for building trust, inspiring empathy, and fostering progress. With over 40 years in executive roles in health and human services, she brings deep experience to her work. She volunteers in rural anti-racism efforts and community arts projects, partnering with groups like Springboard for the Arts. As proprietor of Oldenburg House, Emily blends a strong sense of place with the ability to hold space for both grief and gratitude. She is a resourceful, empowered advocate for community-led change.
PHILIP DUKET
(1/24-12/26)
Phil brings his experience working on many advisory committees including AAAA’s ACA, Arrowhead Changemakers, and Duluth Age-Friendly Steering Team.
He was a regional consultant providing technical assistance and training for substance abuse prevention coalitions in Wisconsin for several years and provided counseling in a variety of settings.
He is an excellent listener who seeks to understand what the issues are. He understands how a topic like ageism needs to be reframed to be positive, respected, and inclusive.
COOK COUNTY
Molly Hicken
(1/25-12/27)
Molly served as Cook County Attorney between 2014 and 2024, bringing nearly 17 years of experience as a public servant and legal advisor. In a county with one of Minnesota’s highest populations over age 65, aging-related issues are a regular focus of her work.
In the community, Molly coaches with the Lutsen Junior Alpine Ski Team and organizes the “SheRides” women’s mountain biking weekend. She brings strong legal and governance expertise, experience in statutory compliance, and a collaborative, committed approach to all her volunteer work.
ITASCA COUNTY
Ronald Oleheiser
Ron has a lot of good experience in the non-profit sector and respects committee work to support and help the overall agency prosper. He is willing to advocate locally, regionally, and state-wide when needed and is willing to assist with organizing a local meeting or event if necessary. He has experience in reviewing grants for funding opportunities through his work as Executive Director at Grace House, Itasca County homeless shelter and the NE Region Continuum of Care review. Ron is concerned to learn that recent data indicates the senior homeless population is on the rise.
Ron served many years, including as chair, coordinating the Senior Day at the Fair in Itasca County. He is a supporter of Senior Day at the State Fair.
Kathleen Blake
(1/25-12/27)
Kathleen is an active community volunteer and brings together groups to address issues such as supportive housing and access to health care. She is an Itasca County Commissioner.
As a retired social worker and community organizer, she brings a breadth of experience to the ACA.
Kathleen listens and is comfortable talking in groups about her concerns for the needs of those of us who are aging.
KOOCHICHING COUNTY
Jenell Feller
Jenell knows the services that are available in International Falls and Koochiching County. She is familiar with housing, transportation, employment, and mental health services as well as being knowledgeable about the legal system and crime victim advocacy. She is the Executive Director of Friends Against Abuse. Jenell serves on the Good Samaritan Advisory Council and the Community Café Advisory Council. She has extensive experience working with adults with cognitive delays and mental illness.
She is enthusiastic, creative, knowledgeable, and good at problem solving. And acknowledges she will be eligible for older adult services soon.
Susan Fraik
(1/23 – 12/25)
Sue is a retired MN Office of Job Training career counselor. She serves on the Friends Against Abuse board in International Falls and the advisory committee for the Knudson Foundation in Koochiching County. Sue volunteers with both Koochiching Aging and the Northland Foundation Age-to-age project. She is always prepared as she listens to others’ ideas and brings projects forward.
She is enthusiastic, creative, knowledgeable, and good at problem solving. And acknowledges she will be eligible for older adult services soon.
LAKE COUNTY
Dani McCaughlin
(6/24-12/26)
Dani is passionate about representing the Veterans Home and aging services, drawing on over 20 years of experience in senior living. She currently serves as the administrator of the Veterans Home in Silver Bay. Dani also volunteers with the Alzheimer’s Association and is actively involved in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Her master’s degree in gerontology further strengthens her expertise in working with older adults.
Christopher Bonander
(6/24-12/26)
Christopher is a Regional Ombudsman for the Minnesota Office of the Ombudsman for Long-Term Care. He has great knowledge of relevant statutes, regulation, and laws. He has worked within skilled nursing facilities as a administrator and social worker.
Christopher has served as board member to Silver Bay aging services provider North Shore Area Partners. And contributes to his community as a middle school and high school basketball and baseball coach.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY
Marcia Grahek
(6/19-12/25)
Marcia is a retired Registered Nurse supervisor. She provides in-home care and volunteers at various Senior Centers. She helps older adults during doctor visits and serves as Power of Attorney for an elderly female. Marcia has witnessed the vulnerability and the need for assistance of the aging population and has experience dealing with these situations.
Marcia contributes to her community of Hibbing through her volunteer activities at MineView, Public Library, Senior Center, Chamber of Commerce, Public Schools, Winter Frolic, Joint Recreation, All Class Reunion, and the Bob Dylan Project. She is involved with Fundraisers for Causes, the Salvation Army, Project Care, the Food Shelf, as well as local youth sports and church activities.
Pamela Franklin
(6/19-12/25)
Pam is the Parish Nurse Coordinator for the Arrowhead Parish Nurse Association for over 20 years. She administers numerous grants that provide tools to other Parish Nurses. She is especially proud of the tools that serve senior needs including Advance Directives, Transitions Coaches, Make it OK, and a Faith-based Dementia Curriculum “Through the Wilderness” by Ann and Bob Simpson. She is a Nursing Supervisor with Heartland PCA. Pam completed the Certificate in Elder Care and Isolation and Loneliness Certification.
Pam volunteers as the Chair of the Logistics Committee for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. She serves on the Dementia Conference Planning Committee and the Duluth Advance Care Planning Life Committee. She represents her church on the Ruby’s Pantry /Coppertop Committee – a monthly food access program.
Steve Lyons
(1/23 – 12/25)
A retired administrator, Steve’s approach and values were formed through his years at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth and believes in living out those values in his service to others: Hospitality, Community, Respect, Love of Learning, Stewardship. He believes these are universal and all are incredibly important, but especially for all of us as we age and transition and transform in our life path.
Arshia Khan
(1/23 – 12/25)
A professor at the University of Minnesota Duluth, Arshia research is directed at the emerging field of human-robot interactions and autonomous behavior, specifically in the areas of artificial intelligence, neuroscience, and robotic assistive technology. This research offers promising solutions to chronic neurodegenerative problems such as dementia. She is currently studying the deployment of humanoid robots in nursing homes to improve residents’ quality of life.