Grantmakers In Aging (GIA) today announced the addition of two new board members to its Board of Directors in 2026:
- Maria Gonzalez, Fremont Area Community Foundation
- Nora Suric, Health Foundation for Western and Central New York
They will serve under the leadership of the Executive Committee including Peggy Maguire, Chair (Cambia Health Foundation); Neel Hajra, Vice Chair (Michigan Health Endowment Fund); Marcus Escobedo, Secretary (The John A. Hartford Foundation); Mark Constantine, Treasurer (Dogwood Health Trust); and alongside continuing board members, Renée Espinoza (Metta Fund); Josh Hodges (National Council on Aging); Jillian Kelly (Next50); Kelly Kent (May and Stanley Smith Charitable Trust); Timothy A. Lash (Gary and Mary West Foundation); Jasmine Lacsamana (Archstone Foundation); Claire Louis (Corporation for Supportive Housing); Earl Millett (The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation); Anne Posner (RRF Foundation for Aging); Jaime Renner (Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies); and federal liaison, Kelly Cronin (Administration for Community Living).
We appreciate the leadership of Dianne Oliver (The West End Home Foundation) and Amber Slichta (The Boston Foundation) who completed their board terms at the end of 2025.
Learn More About GIA New Board Members
Maria Gonzalez: Senior Director, Fremont Area Community Foundation
Maria E. Gonzalez is the senior director at Fremont Area Community Foundation. Her responsibilities include working with donors across a 4-county service area, grantmaking, impact investing, leading technical assistance with nonprofit partners, and working with the Youth Advisory Committee. Maria also manages the Community Foundation’s Bridging Generations Fund (BGF). BGF uses input from organizations and older adults in West Michigan to create and guide programming that builds access, relationships, and opportunities for all older adults in Newaygo County. In 2021, Maria oversaw the creation of programming addressing social isolation among local older adults. Maria holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana Wesleyan University and recently earned her certificate of fundraising management from the Lilly School of Philanthropy at Indiana University.
Nora Suric, Ph.D.: President, Health Foundation for Western and Central New York
Nora Suric, Ph.D., became the president of the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York in 2017. She has over 25 years of experience in philanthropy with The John A. Hartford Foundation and The Brookdale Foundation. Both foundations provide funding nationally to support services that enhance the quality of life and healthcare for older adults and their caregivers.
Prior to her foundation work, Dr. Suric assisted Dr. Robert Butler in establishing the International Longevity Center – USA. She became the first Director of National and Internal Partnerships with the International Longevity Centre Global Alliance and was responsible for coordinating the development of ILCs in other countries. Dr. Suric served as the vice chair of the United Nations NGO Committee on Ageing, which provided consultation to the development of the United Nations International Plan on Action on Ageing in 2002. Dr. Suric is the founder and co-chair of the NYS Master Plan for Aging Coalition and was appointed by Governor Hochul to the MPA Stakeholder Advisory Committee in January 2023. Dr. Suric holds a doctoral degree in social welfare from Hunter College School of Social Work, a master’s degree in gerontology from the California State University at Dominguez Hills, and a certificate in geriatric mental health counseling from the University of Southern California Davis School.