To coincide with ASA’s Membership Celebration, and feature people who represent the depth and breadth of what we do, we asked 5 ASA members to answer 5 questions. We’ll run the short profiles across the course of the Celebration.
5 Questions for Jennifer Wright
Jennifer Wright is 30 years old, and a social worker at PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly). Although she has worked in the social services field since 2019, she recently graduated with a master’s in social work from San Diego State University and officially began her career as a social worker.
1. What inspired you to work in the aging field?
My passion for working with older adults began in 2019 when I served as a resident service coordinator (RSC) for older adults across multiple affordable housing properties. It was in this role that I witnessed firsthand the challenges this population faces—limited access to resources, the deep impact of social isolation, and daily barriers such as lack of familial support, transportation issues, and physical or cognitive impairments. As an RSC I was limited in my role and knew I needed more education to really be able to help and advocate for this population. This realization inspired me to pursue a master’s in social work so I could better advocate for and serve this community. Throughout my MSW program, I made it a priority to center my research, papers, and projects on aging—even though many of my peers focused on children, families or mental health. Only a handful of us were truly dedicated to the older population.
2. What are you most proud of in your work in aging?
When I began my MSW journey at SDSU, I never imagined I’d build such a meaningful connection with a professor who would genuinely believe in my potential. One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is presenting at the 2025 On Aging conference—a moment made possible because my professor encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and speak on a topic I deeply care about. We also collaborated on a training video focused on working with Black caregivers, which was distributed to a nonprofit serving caregivers of older adults.
When I first started as an RSC, I was often told that burnout in this field was common and that people rarely stayed long-term. I’m proud to say that my passion for aging has only deepened. I feel strongly that this is not just a career path for me, it’s a lifelong commitment. I'm wholeheartedly dedicated to advocating for and uplifting older adults, both professionally and personally.
3. What have you learned from the people you've met through ASA?
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned from attending On Aging conferences is the importance of creating opportunities and building connections. Many peers and mentors I met through ASA encouraged me to apply to the ASA RISE program, an opportunity I am excited to pursue this year. I’ll never forget the 2025 On Aging conference in Orlando, Fla. I shared with a few attendees that I was nervous about presenting, and the next day, they showed up to support me. Their encouragement and presence made me feel seen and validated. It was powerful to be embraced by a community of strangers who shared my passion. I’m truly grateful to my professor for introducing me to ASA and helping me find this supportive network.
4. What do you think is most needed in the aging field right now?
I believe one of the most pressing needs in the aging field is the development of more diverse, culturally responsive training and interventions. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to supporting individuals and families from various backgrounds. We need greater investment in research related to aging, particularly in areas such as dementia, the early identification of cognitive impairments, and the creation of culturally tailored caregiver support groups for caregivers. Meeting the needs of our diverse aging population requires intentional, inclusive approaches.
5. What’s one question you’d love to ask your peers?
“What is one piece of advice an older adult has given you that you’ll cherish forever or that continues to guide your work in this field?”
If you’d like to participate in this type of 5-questions profile, please email Alison Biggar at abiggar@asaging.org.