We will open the conference with an update on the longevity market and an overview of the longevity ecosystem. We will share a brief overview of findings from AARP’s Longevity Economy Outlook 2026, focusing on the economic contributions of the 50-plus population and what the findings mean for communities, businesses, and policymakers.

Presenters:
Mel Barsky, Partner, CABHI Ventures
Mary Furlong, CEO, Mary Furlong & Associates
Ani Harutyunyan, Advisor, Longevity Economy, AARP
Lance Robertson, Partner, Guidehouse, and Former U.S. Assistant Secretary for Aging & ACL Administrator

Disruption rarely comes from where we expect—and by the time it becomes obvious, it may be too late to respond. In this compelling keynote, Jeffrey Cole explores how transformative innovations reshape industries, business models, and human behavior. Drawing on lessons from history and examples ranging from the internet and smartphones to artificial intelligence and robotics, Cole reveals why even established leaders miss the signals of change. He’ll share practical insights for recognizing disruption early, challenging conventional thinking, and turning emerging threats into opportunities for innovation and growth.

Presenter: Jeffrey Cole, Director, Center for the Digital Future at the USC Annenberg School for Communication, Author and Founder of the World Internet Project.

As the caregiving crisis intensifies, technology is creating new opportunities to support family caregivers, improve outcomes for older adults, and expand the capacity of the care system. Explore how improvements in technology and AI-powered tools are helping families navigate caregiving, how artificial intelligence is transforming the experience of aging, and how next-generation devices and wearables are advancing health, monitoring, safety, and independence. Discover how AI is accelerating drug discovery and shaping the future of health, while examining the broader vision of care as public infrastructure. This session will explore the innovations, investment opportunities, and systemic changes needed to address the caregiving capacity crisis and build a more sustainable, accessible care ecosystem.

Moderator: Courtney Baldridge, Corporate Strategist, USAging

Presenters:
Ken Honeycutt, Director of Healthcare, Commercialization, Samsung Health
Sarita Mohanty, President and CEO, The SCAN Foundation
Neal Shah, CEO, CareYaya
Bob Stephen, Vice President, Caregiving and Health Program, AARP
Lucy Vasserman, Head of Engineering, Google’s Jigsaw

Aging is a global challenge, but trade and AI policy are becoming more national. In this candid one-on-one fireside chat, Politico’s Gabby Miller presses CTA’s Ed Brzytwa on the questions longevity innovators are asking. Where will their products be built? What will tariffs cost them? Will global AI rules help them scale or split the market? And can American companies stay competitive while serving an aging world?

Edward Brzytwa, Vice President of International Trade, Consumer Technology Association
Gabby Miller, Reporter, POLITICO

Dr. Michael Roizen, Chief Wellness Officer Emeritus, Cleveland Clinic

The rules of fundraising are changing in the longevity economy. Investors are becoming more selective, prioritizing scalable software, recurring revenue, strong margins, and a credible path to profitability. But securing capital is only part of the challenge—companies must also demonstrate how they will reach customers, convert pilots into paying deployments, and build sustainable revenue. This session will explore how companies can build investor confidence through evidence, customer traction, and a clear path to market. Hear how to identify the right capital partners, from venture funds to strategic investors, family offices, and patient capital providers, and why investors who bring distribution, customer relationships, and pilot opportunities can be as valuable as those who bring money. Learn what it takes to move from early validation to a fundable business in an increasingly disciplined investment environment.

Moderators: Mary Furlong, CEO, Mary Furlong & Associates and Dan Hermann, President & CEO, Ziegler
Presenters:

Mel Barsky, Partner, CABHI Ventures
Tracy Chadwell, Founding Partner, 1843 Capital
Robert Garber, Partner, 7wire Ventures
Amelia Hay, VP, Startup Programming & Investments, AgeTech Collaborative From AARP
Rob Runett, Partner, Motley Fool Ventures
Minoru Sasaki, Director, Silicon Valley Office, Nippon Life Global Investors Americas, Inc.

Government plays a critical role in accelerating innovation and expanding access to solutions that help older adults live healthier, more independent, and more connected lives. This session will explore how federal, state, and local governments are advancing innovation in the longevity economy through funding opportunities, public-private partnerships, and new approaches to addressing the challenges of an aging population. Hear how entrepreneurs, investors, and organizations can navigate government priorities, access public funding, and collaborate with policymakers to scale impactful solutions for older adults and their caregivers.

Moderator: Lance Robertson, Partner, Guidehouse, and Former U.S. Assistant Secretary for Aging & ACL Administrator
Presenters:
Michelle Branham, Secretary, Florida Department of Elder Affairs
Kelly Cronin, Deputy Administrator for Innovation and Partnership U.S. Administration for Community Living
Todd Haim, Director, Office of Strategic Extramural Programs, NIA
Carmel Roques, Secretary, Maryland Department of Aging

Experience the excitement of live pitches as innovative startups in the longevity economy present their solutions directly to leading distribution partners. Watch the pitches unfold, hear real-time reactions, and discover which ideas capture interest and have the potential to spark strategic partnerships, expand market reach, and attract investment.

Moderator: Mel Barsky, Partner, CABHI Ventures
Panelists:
Courtney Baldridge, Corporate Strategist, USAging
Marco DiGirolomo, Customer Success Manager, AgeTech Collaborative from AARP
Joy Toliver, Program Analyst, Office of Small Business Research, National Institute on Aging
Matthew Piety, CEO, Summit Managed Solutions
Melanie Miranda-Lusby, Vice President of Operations, Town Square
David Finkelstein, Chief Information Officer, RiverSpring Living

Presenting Companies

Anurag Ram Chandran, Co-founder, Kubo Care
Sydney Hughes, Founder & CEO, Senior Proof
Kavi Misri, CEO & Founder, Hibiscus
Hemanshu Jain, Founder & CEO, Khyaal

Health systems have hit a structural tipping point. We are facing an unprecedented convergence of demographic aging—with the population aged 65 and over expanding at record rates—and an acute, systemic shortage of healthcare workers across the globe. As populations age and healthcare workforces face growing pressure, building capacity means extending care beyond hospital walls and into the communities where people live.
Panelists will explore a new approach to building the caregiver workforce of the future – infrastructure that builds capacity through AI-enabled coordination, caregiver entrepreneurship, and partnerships across healthcare systems, governments, and economic development agencies. We will examine how building local caregiver businesses can expand access to in-home support in rural and resource-constrained communities.

Moderator: Michael Kisch, Healthcare Incubation, LG NOVA
Presenters:

Pamela George, Director of Population Health, Vandalia Health West Virginia
Rory Stanton, Entrepreneur In Residence LG NOVA, Co-Founder Juvo Care
Toney Stroud, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Corporate Relations, Marshall University

Introduction by Nancy LeaMond, EVP, Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer, AARP

Panel presentation:
Moderator: Sherri Snelling, Corporate Gerontologist and Founder/CEO – Caregiving Club
Lindsay Jurist-Rosner, Founder/CEO, Wellthy
Jason Resendez, CEO, National Alliance for Caregiving
Sydney Hughes, Founder & CEO, Senior Proof
Mark Friedman, President, DWEL

Key Takeaways:
· The latest innovations employers are seeking to support the Sandwich Generation at work
· How female caregivers are changing American workplaces
· Using AI to help family caregivers become certified and paid
· Partnering with traditional health care providers and innovative retailers for aging in place home modifications

What will the policy landscape mean for the future of aging and the longevity economy? This session will offer an insider’s look at the key legislative and regulatory developments of 2026, the implications of the midterm elections, and what lies ahead in 2027. Bob Blancato, a key thought leader on this topic, will examine major developments in health and technology policy and share insights on emerging priorities, potential policy shifts, and the opportunities and challenges they present for organizations serving older adults.

Presenter: Bob Blancato, President, Matz, Blancato & Associates