Gretchen E. Alkema PhD, LCSW

Dr. Gretchen E. Alkema is Vice President of Policy and Communications at The SCAN Foundation. In this role, Gretchen oversees the Foundation’s communications and policy strategy development and execution, championing a world where all people – regardless of age, life circumstance, or ability – live well in the place they call home. Prior, Gretchen served in the office of Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) as a Heinz/Health and Aging Policy Fellow where she advised on aging, health, mental health, and long-term care policy. She also worked in a variety of community-based care settings in both the public and private sectors.

Gretchen holds a PhD from the University of Southern California (Gerontology) and completed post-doctoral training at the VA Greater Los Angeles. She earned a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado. Gretchen enjoys hiking, 19th-century Russian novels, and a great cup of coffee.