GRETCHEN

ALKEMA

Gretchen Alkema is president of Wolf Eagle Enterprises, LLC - a strategic engagement consultancy that delivers trusted insights, customized solutions, and organizational development expertise to industry leaders in aging. longevity, and care innovation.

As a nationally recognized expert and strategist, Gretchen brings over thirty years of care systems, communications, and policy experience to organizations and leaders seeking to improve the lives of older adults, those with complex needs, and family caregivers. Gretchen is a Gallup® Certified Strengths Coach. Her passion is to cultivate Strengths-conscious leaders who will drive human-centered innovations across public, private, and independent sectors.

Gretchen built her aging, longevity, and care innovation expertise through a variety of academic, clinical practice, policy, philanthropic, and research roles.

She designed and led The SCAN Foundation's policy and communications strategy from 2009 to 2022 - driving year-over-year success to transform care for older Americans.
She built policy platforms and advised U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln as a Heinz/Health and Aging Policy Fellow during the 2008-09 health care debate.
She led an implementation science research agenda at the University of Southern California and the VA Greater Los Angeles, addressing medication management for low-income, diverse older adults living in community.
In public and private organizations, she provided direct services to those with health and daily living challenges and their family caregivers facing issues such as Alzheimer's disease, complex care navigation, post-acute rehabilitation, substance abuse and mental health treatment, and palliative/end-of-life care.

Gretchen holds a Ph.D. in gerontology from the University of Southern California, a master's degree in social work from the University of Michigan, and bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She serves on multiple boards and advisory committees focused on improving care access and quality for underserved populations. Finally, Gretchen delights in championing seasoned and emerging leaders to discover, embrace, and maximize their unique strengths for career success.