Steve Gurney is a nationally recognized leader, innovator, and advocate in aging and longevity. He founded the Positive Aging Community (originally established as the Positive Aging SourceBook in 1990) to help individuals, families, and professionals navigate aging and senior living choices more easily. Drawing from his personal experience with his grandfather's care, he created a comprehensive resource that expanded regionally and later transitioned into a digital platform featuring interactive discussions, podcasts, and partnerships with thought leaders in aging.

Steve served as General Manager of the Senior Living Division when he sold the resource to The Washington Post in 1998 and reacquired it in 2019, rebranding it as Positive Aging Community. He also founded the ProAging Network and leads the DC Senior Resource Group, supporting senior-serving professionals. Steve has served on boards of various aging organizations and received multiple awards for his contributions. He holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Old Dominion University and a Master’s in Management of Aging Services from UMBC. He is also a recognized speaker and educator in the field of aging services.

Author and end-of-life activist Chris Palmer explains how a good death is achievable in his latest book, "Achieving a Good Death: A Practical Guide to the End of Life," published by Bloomsbury in October 2024.

Chris, a trained hospice volunteer, frequently gives pro bono presentations and workshops to community groups on aging, death, and dying issues. He founded and leads an aging, death, and dying group for the Bethesda Metro Area Village and serves on the board of several nonprofits focused on end-of-life issues, including Montgomery Hospice, Final Exit Network, the Hemlock Society, and the Maryland Office of Cemetery Oversight.

Proceeds from all his books fund scholarships for American University (AU) students. Chris Palmer served 14 years on AU’s full-time faculty as Distinguished Film Producer in Residence. He holds advanced degrees from Harvard and University College London. Before becoming involved in end-of-life issues, he spent forty years as a wildlife and conservation filmmaker. To learn more about Chris, visit www.ChrisPalmerOnline.com.

Dan Morhaim, M.D. brings a unique perspective: Physician, state legislator, academic, author, consultant. As an ER physician, he's been on the front lines for over 40 years, including 13 years (1981-1994) as Chair of Emergency Medicine at Franklin Square Hospital (Maryland). After election to the Maryland General Assembly in 1994, he joined the ER Team at Baltimore’s Sinai Hospital

Other clinical experiences include Baltimore homeless clinic; Navajo Indian Reservation; Saudi Arabia and Kuwait after Gulf War; Remote Area Medical. Dan served in the Maryland House of Delegates for 24 years (1995-2019), enacting 139 bills focusing on healthcare, environment, public safety, and procurement reform. He serves on numerous boards and committees including the Maryland State Behavioral Health Advisory Council, the Maryland ER Wait Time Commission, and the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons. He is the medical director for ambulance companies and is clinical consultant with health IT companies. He is on the faculty at George Washington University. While faculty at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (16 years) he taught public policy, and his research on advance care planning led to numerous articles and two books, including “Preparing for A Better End”, www.thebetterend.com from Johns Hopkins Press.

His books have been endorsed by Maya Angelou, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, Dr. Leana Wen, Dr. Ben Carson, Tara Brach, and others from the medical, academic, faith, and business communities.

Karen Telschow Johnson is an attorney who is passionate about advance care planning, estate planning, and elder law. Karen is a graduate of Texas A & M University and Texas A & M University School of Law practicing law for more than 20 years. She founded Telschow Johnson Law 11 years ago and has served thousands of families in North Texas. Karen enjoys being active in the community as President of Care & Prepare; Board Chair for 60 & Better; Chair of the City of Fort Worth Human Relations Commission; former President of the Board of our local Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association; and former President of Cowtown Executives Association.

As a Member of the Tarrant County Medical Ethics Society, she stays informed of better ways to assist her clients and community during their most challenging times. She is a proud mom to two young adults-in-progress, Morgan and Lili, and to her dogs as well.

Morgan Richards is Communities Foundation of Texas’ Director of Charitable Gift Planning. Morgan joined CFT in April of 2024 and works closely with the General Counsel and members of the Relationship Team as they partner with potential fund holders wishing to create estate gifts.

She also works closely with professional advisors throughout North Texas. Prior to working in development, Morgan spent six years practicing estate planning and business succession law in Dallas. She began working in the non-profit space when she joined the American Cancer Society as a Director of Estate Planning. She was also the Director of Estate and Gift Planning for Southern Methodist University in Dallas and the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston.

Morgan earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Furman University in Greenville, South
Carolina and a law degree from Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kansas.

Bob Dent, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, ACC, FACHE, FAAN, FAONL, is a nationally recognized nurse executive, speaker, and executive coach with more than 35 years of experience leading cultures of excellence. As founder and CEO of DBD Coaching & Consulting, he equips leaders and organizations with strategies to strengthen performance, well-being, and resilience.

A past president of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) and co-author of five leadership books, Bob shares his personal mental health journey with honesty and courage, inspiring leaders to foster psychologically safe environments where people and organizations thrive.

With nearly two decades of working side by side, Denise LaManna and Kim McKinnon have built their real estate careers on trust, experience, and client-centered service. About five years ago, their journey took a meaningful turn as they recognized the unique challenges faced by clients preparing to downsize — especially seniors. For many, downsizing is far more than a real estate transaction; it is a deeply personal transition that involves leaving behind a lifetime of memories, family homes, and the comfort of the familiar. Having walked this journey with their own parents, Denise and Kim understand that successful downsizing requires more than market expertise — it demands compassion, patience, and a thoughtful plan.

Out of this personal and professional insight, they developed McKinnon Real Estate’s comprehensive, full-service Downsizing Program, a step-by-step process designed to support clients through every stage of the process. Over the last five years, Denise and Kim have helped hundreds of families across the Dallas–Fort Worth area navigate this transition with confidence and peace of mind, blending market knowledge with hands-on resources tailored to each client’s unique situation.

Today, Denise and Kim are known as trusted Senior Real Estate Advisors, bringing not only proven results but also the care, empathy, and dedication that make all the difference during life’s major transitions.

Dr. Jason Dixon is a chiropractor, holistic health practitioner, and founder of Evolve Holistic Center in Fort Worth, Texas. For over twenty years, he has studied energy medicine, and for the past decade he has practiced as a chiropractor, specializing in nervous system regulation, adaptability, and energy-based care.

Jason is also the creator of Our Minds Change—a growing platform of poetry, music, classes, and books designed to guide people through their own healing journey. His work blends science, spirituality, and creativity to help others release tension, expand resilience, and reconnect with their innate potential. Currently, Jason is authoring two books that bring together practical self-care methods and reflections on the healing journey, alongside his Minds Change poetry and music collection.

At the summit, Jason shares practical strategies for calming the stress response and cultivating clarity, strength, and adaptability in the face of crisis.

Jaime Cobb Tinsley, Certified Community Health Worker and Montessori Dementia Care Professional, serves as the Vice President of Dementia and Caregiver Education at the James L. West Center for Dementia Care. With a degree in Integrated Marketing Communication from Abilene Christian University and over 17 years of experience working with individuals living with dementia and their families, Jaime is a dedicated advocate for enhancing quality of life and promoting caregiver empowerment.

Jaime has spearheaded the development and implementation of groundbreaking programs designed to improve outcomes for families navigating dementia. Her innovative approaches blend compassion with evidence-based practices, providing support and education that truly make a difference. Jaime also champions collaborative training models to prepare current and future healthcare professionals for excellence in dementia care.

Ginger Smith is a survivor, advocate, and voice for change in how we understand dementia. A longtime resident of San Mateo, California, Ginger defied a terminal dementia diagnosis after being placed on hospice care at the age of 83—and then reclaimed her life.

Through her journey, Ginger hopes to spark greater awareness, inspire expanded research into dementia cures, and encourage the medical community to think beyond traditional limitations. She believes that recovery stories like hers should be studied, not dismissed, and that education about dementia must include the full range of experiences — including unexpected healing.

Now 88 and living mostly independently, Ginger stands as proof that people living with dementia can still experience love, joy, and a meaningful life. Her message calls for open-mindedness, compassion, and tolerance—especially among caregivers, healthcare providers, and society at large. Ginger shares her story through Dementia Denied not just to tell what happened to her, but to ignite hope, challenge assumptions, and push for a future where every life touched by dementia is met with dignity, possibility, and care.

Reny Greenleaf is a seasoned CFO with 25+ years of experience guiding investment advisory, securities, and nonprofit organizations. She specializes in SEC/FINRA financial compliance, audit prep, and cash flow strategy, helping businesses optimize profitability with precision.

She is also the host of the Profits with Clarity Summit, where top experts empower entrepreneurs and SMEs to master their numbers, streamline operations, and scale sustainably. Reny’s mission is to equip small and mid-sized business owners with the tools and insight they need to thrive—financially and purposefully.

Ingrid Sullivan is a nationally recognized real estate professional and co-founder of Senior Downsizing Experts in Dallas–Fort Worth. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in helping older adults and their families navigate the emotional and practical challenges of “rightsizing.” As a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) and Certified Senior Housing Professional (CSHP®), Ingrid combines expertise with compassion to guide clients through life transitions.

She and her husband, John, lead the Sullivan & Sullivan Team with Keller Williams Lonestar DFW, known for their integrity and personalized service. Her insights have been featured on CNBC.com and the Retire With Purpose podcast, and she is co-author of The Ultimate Guide to Downsizing. As a certified trainer with the Seniors Real Estate Institute and creator of the Smart Senior Series, Ingrid is committed to educating and empowering older adults to plan proactively for the future.

Zelphany Gates is the Executive Director of Cuisine for Healing, where compassion and nourishment come together to make a difference in the lives of people facing life-threatening illnesses. Guided by a deep belief that food has the power to heal, Zelphany leads the organization with warmth, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to providing wholesome, organic meals to those who need them most.

Her leadership is rooted in empathy and community—ensuring that every meal served brings not just nourishment, but also hope and comfort. Under Zelphany’s guidance, Cuisine for Healing continues to grow its mission of feeding the body, uplifting the spirit, and inspiring healing through love and good food.

My name is Sebastian Uzcategui, and my story is one of faith, perseverance, and the pursuit of freedom. Born in Venezuela, I moved to Florida with my family at the age of 3. As an only child, I’ve always felt a deep responsibility to do everything I can to uplift my parents and create a brighter future for us all. Growing up, I developed a passion for entrepreneurship, personal growth, and financial freedom—dedicating myself to breaking free from the 9-5 lifestyle and inspiring others to do the same.

I started my entrepreneurial journey early, founding my first business at 16, and stepping into public speaking as a way to share my story and empower others. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of speaking at churches, seminars, podcasts, workshops, schools, and events, connecting with audiences from all walks of life.

Tim Perkins is an ordained Lutheran pastor in the Lutheran Church Missouri-Synod, holding an MDIV from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He has been pastoring churches in the north Texas area since 2002, and currently serves as the campus planting pastor of Midway Church, Midlothian, Texas. One of his passions over the years has been helping families face health and healing concerns in all stages of life, guiding them toward the hope that Jesus provides.

As the founder of Fort Worth Wellness, Allison Blakewell has made it her mission to holistically heal her patients using a blend of both Eastern and Western medicine. Although she’s from right here in Fort Worth, she earned her BS in Nursing from the University of Virginia and her Masters in Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport Connecticut.

Allison then spent years as a Cardiac Nurse before realizing she really wanted to dig deeper into the root causes of the body's illnesses and issues. She now uses nutrition, functional medicine, and NAET to help get to the root cause and transform the health of her clients.

Michael Nelson, PhD is a Professor at the University of Texas at Arlington, where he leads an extramurally funded research program in health and aging. He serves as the Director of the Clinical Imaging Research Center and the Center for Healthy Living and Longevity, focusing on innovative approaches to wellness, disease prevention, and age-related health outcomes.

Dr. Nelson is also the Principal Investigator of the Arlington Study of Healthy Aging, a longitudinal research initiative aimed at understanding the biological and lifestyle factors that contribute to healthy aging and longevity, clinical science, and community engagement to promote healthier lives across the lifespan.

Clinical Assistant Professor, College of Nursing and Health Innovation – The University of Texas at Arlington
Dr. Patti Parker has been a registered nurse since 1983 and an adult-geriatric nurse practitioner since 1994. With more than 40 years of experience in adult and older adult care, she has dedicated her career to advancing the health and dignity of aging populations through education, research, and compassionate clinical practice.

A full-time Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at Arlington since 2015, Dr. Parker has taught nurse practitioner students in the Graduate Nursing Program for nearly three decades. Her doctoral research in gerontology focuses on the health needs and social determinants affecting older adults.

Dr. Parker’s academic and clinical interests include interprofessional education, endocrine and skin disorders in aging, and pharmacology for advanced practice nurses. She is especially passionate about diabetes management, metabolic bone disease, medical dermatology, infectious disease, and movement disorders in the older adult.

Recognized nationally for her excellence in gerontological nursing, Dr. Parker has received honors including Distinguished Educator in Gerontological Nursing from the John A. Hartford Foundation (2019) and Rising Star in Gerontological Nursing from GAPNA (2018).

Scott Brown is the President and CEO of MyDirectives. MyDirectives delivers advance care planning (ACP) as it should be for healthcare providers, payers, and consumers. The MyDirectives Solutions and the ADVault Exchange™ make it easy for everyone to understand options, explore wishes, and make personalized choices for future medical care. They offer the best tools to create, upload, store, find, download, or share ACP documents and portable medical orders, whenever, and wherever needed. Their end-to-end, cloud-based, SaaS solutions support compliance with Medicare mandates to do more ACP and to deliver more value-based care. Visit www.mydirectives.com.

For over two decades, Scott has led the way in integrating individuals’ advance care planning (ACP) documents directly into healthcare systems—bridging the gap between patients, families, and providers. His commitment is personal: inspired by his own family’s experience, Scott’s work ensures that your medical wishes are known, accessible, and honored—even when you can’t speak for yourself.

With nearly two decades of working side by side, Denise LaManna and Kim McKinnon have built their real estate careers on trust, experience, and client-centered service. About five years ago, their journey took a meaningful turn as they recognized the unique challenges faced by clients preparing to downsize — especially seniors. For many, downsizing is far more than a real estate transaction; it is a deeply personal transition that involves leaving behind a lifetime of memories, family homes, and the comfort of the familiar. Having walked this journey with their own parents, Denise and Kim understand that successful downsizing requires more than market expertise — it demands compassion, patience, and a thoughtful plan.

Out of this personal and professional insight, they developed McKinnon Real Estate’s comprehensive, full-service Downsizing Program, a step-by-step process designed to support clients through every stage of the process. Over the last five years, Denise and Kim have helped hundreds of families across the Dallas–Fort Worth area navigate this transition with confidence and peace of mind, blending market knowledge with hands-on resources tailored to each client’s unique situation.

Today, Denise and Kim are known as trusted Senior Real Estate Advisors, bringing not only proven results but also the care, empathy, and dedication that make all the difference during life’s major transitions.