The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative is excited to promote an announcement from Secretary of Health and Human Services Kate Walsh that Robin Lipson has been appointed to the role of Secretary of the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA), effective immediately. Lipson has been a senior leader at EOEA since 2015, including five years as Deputy Secretary before her appointment as Acting Secretary in June.
Lipson is also on the MHAC Executive Committee and a champion for the age-and dementia friendly movement in the Commonwealth.
“We are proud to appoint Robin Lipson to serve as Secretary of the Executive Office of Elder Affairs,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Her work has made Massachusetts one of the best places to age, as we prioritize meeting the needs of older adults, lowering costs, and helping people safely stay in their communities.”
“Robin has a proven track record of supporting communities across Massachusetts as they improve access for older adults,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “I look forward to her continued leadership to ensure we have the resources we need to improve the lives of older adults and their families in our state.”
“We are delighted that Robin has agreed to bring her experience and talents to our goal of making Massachusetts the best place to grow old,” said Secretary Walsh. “She will bring innovation and expertise to EOHHS and across other Secretariats to ensure that we are fully supporting aging adults and the people who love them. Robin’s relationships with cities and towns and community organizations will inform our work as we create places for people to age with independence and dignity.”
“I am grateful and fortunate for this opportunity to continue to serve our aging residents and their families,” said Secretary Lipson. “I look forward to continuing the strides our agency has made to make Massachusetts a more age- and dementia-friendly place to live. Together, we will continue to support aging adults to live and thrive, safely and independently.”
With approximately 1.7 million older adults and 1 million family caregivers in Massachusetts, EOEA provides quality aging-related resources to support individuals to live and thrive in their communities. Lipson, a family caregiver herself to her 95-year-old mother, is dedicated to making Massachusetts a great place to grow up and grow older, for all.
Lipson first joined EOEA as Chief of Staff in 2015. During her tenure, more than 200 cities and towns in Massachusetts have made positive changes to make their communities more age- and dementia-friendly, becoming more welcoming and livable for residents of all ages. Prior to joining EOEA, Lipson garnered 40 years of experience working extensively at the intersection of health care strategy, policy, and implementation. She has held leadership roles in the public, not-for-profit, and private sectors, including Deputy Director of the Massachusetts Medicaid Program, and later becoming the first-ever Vice President of Strategic Planning for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of MA. At EOEA, Lipson will continue to lead the agency in implementing services that enable residents to age in community, rather than a nursing home or similar long-term care facility.
Statements of Support
Betsey Crimmins, Executive Director, Mass Aging Access
“On behalf of Mass Aging Access and the 27 ASAP/AAA organizations across the Commonwealth that provide services and supports to older adults and people with disabilities to help them live independently in their homes and communities, we are thrilled that Robin Lipson will be the Secretary of the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. The Commonwealth could not ask for a better leader than Secretary Lipson. Few people have the historical knowledge of the multiple systems and programs that older adults and their caregivers must navigate along with the level of expertise that she possesses. Secretary Lipson is passionate about the older adult population, the work of EOEA, and its mission. She is highly respected by her staff, state partners, legislators, and community-based partners. Over my many years in the aging network, I cannot think of anyone else who could serve in the role of Secretary of EOEA with a greater level of expertise, passion, or community support.”
Nora Moreno Cargie, President, Point32Health Foundation
“Massachusetts is nationally recognized in its aging work because our leaders understand that success comes from honoring community, focusing on equity and centering the priorities and solutions of older people in the process.
“For nearly a decade at the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, Robin Lipson has demonstrated these values and more. Her collaborative spirit, her lived experience, and her commitment to improving the lives of older adults, especially ensuring equitable access to all programs, have made the Commonwealth a better place to grow up and grow old.
“We’re proud to work with the Healey-Driscoll Administration and celebrate the choice of Robin Lipson to lead EOEA. As the only New England funder focused on equity in aging, we are excited to build on the work already underway. The Commonwealth was one of the first states named “age-friendly” by AARP and remains in the forefront of this movement due to Robin Lipson’s leadership. In Massachusetts, we are finding ways to support caregivers, improve access to food, innovative transportation, and increase supportive housing—always engaging older people to get it right. I know I join scores of leaders in the aging movement in commending this appointment.”
Elissa Sherman, President, LeadingAge Massachusetts
“I applaud the selection of Robin Lipson as Secretary of the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. Robin Lipson is a highly respected leader, whose ability to build partnerships and drive collective action has been instrumental in establishing policies and programs aimed at improving the lives of all older adults in the Commonwealth. Her vision and dedication to creating age-friendly policies and environments are evident in the administration’s work to date and in its commitment to expanding this work into the future. LeadingAge Massachusetts and our membership of not-for-profit providers of aging services look forward to continuing our partnership with Secretary Lipson and EOEA to build a future where all older adults can live in age-friendly communities, where they receive the services they need, when they need them, in the place they call home.”
Emily Shea, Board Chair, Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging
“We enthusiastically support Robin Lipson’s appointment as permanent Secretary of the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. She is a passionate advocate for older people, and has the depth of experience, knowledge and skills needed to meet the needs and opportunities of our rapidly aging population. We look forward to continuing our work with Secretary Lipson to make Massachusetts the best place to live and to age well.”