The Alliance for Aging Research is proud to have dedicated staff members supporting the organization in its mission to improve the universal human experience of aging and health. This month, we are featuring Rachel Stevenson, the Alliance’s Director of Finance and Administration.
What do you do at the Alliance for Aging Research?
I am the Director of Finance and Administration. I oversee the Alliance’s financial activities, plans, and accounting practices.
How long have you worked at the Alliance?
I joined the Alliance in October 2020.
Where are you from, and what brought you to the Washington, DC area?
I am from a small town in eastern Washington, Royal City. My husband’s job has moved us to a few different locations. Besides Washington state, we have lived in Connecticut, Michigan, and now Maryland.
What is your favorite project or topic you’ve worked on while at the Alliance?
As a finance nerd, I enjoy working on the financial statements of the entity. This gives me the total picture of how the Alliance is using its resources efficiently on so many meaningful projects.
Do you have a personal connection with any of the health issues/conditions the Alliance works on?
The beauty of the Alliance’s work is that it affects, or will affect, everyone at some stage in their life. As my parents and my grandparents have grown older, I see the importance of effective health care and access to resources. As we all age, individuals, and their support networks of family and friends, need to be informed about and attentive to our total well-being.
What is something you’ve learned about healthy aging since working at the Alliance that has either changed your view or impacted the way you personally approach aging?
I enjoy listening to the This is Growing Old podcast the Alliance produces. We have discussed so many great topics from the importance of patient advocacy to raising awareness of heart valve disease. One of the topics discussed was nutrition and healthy aging. It was interesting to learn that some major chronic diseases that affect older adults could have been prevented or lessened with good nutrition. I am continually emphasizing to my family that making smart decisions in regards to our diet and nutrition will benefit our overall health as we age.
What is your favorite book?
It is hard to pick just one! I am an avid reader and probably read three to four books a month. I currently just finished The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah and The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides.
What is one thing that not many people know about you?
I have a grandmother who will celebrate her 95th birthday this week.
