FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 20, 2026

ARLINGTON, VA — ADvancing States announces that Kathy Greenlee, JD, Senior Director of Elder Justice Initiatives, will retire at the end of September after more than four years of distinguished service to the organization. Throughout her tenure, Kathy has been a tireless champion for elder justice, leading critical work on elder abuse prevention, adult protective services, guardianship reform, and rural aging initiatives.

Since joining ADvancing States in 2021, Kathy has strengthened partnerships across the aging and disability network, provided technical assistance and training to states, and provided visionary leadership on some of the most pressing issues facing older adults. Her work has advanced policy and practice in protecting vulnerable older adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation while promoting their dignity and independence. Throughout her time at ADvancing States, Kathy has been a generous mentor to emerging state leaders, sharing her deep expertise and passion for elder justice with the next generation of leaders.

Prior to joining ADvancing States, Kathy served with distinction as the Assistant Secretary for Aging and Administrator of the Administration for Community Living at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, a position to which she was appointed by President Obama in 2009. During her seven-year tenure at ACL, she orchestrated groundbreaking initiatives that reshaped the landscape of elder rights, disability services, and healthcare access. Her remarkable achievements include:

• Creating the Administration for Community Living (ACL), bringing together federal agencies focused on older adults and people with disabilities to promote independent living and full community engagement
• Chairing the Elder Justice Coordinating Council
• Establishing the first federal home for state Adult Protective Services programs
• Developing the National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System
• Creating the National Indigenous Elder Justice Initiative
• Chairing the HHS LGBT Issues Coordinating Committee, advancing policy and program development for LGBTQ+ individuals

Before her federal service, Kathy dedicated 18 years to Kansas state government, serving as Kansas Secretary for Aging and Kansas State Long-Term Care Ombudsman. In these roles, she demonstrated unwavering commitment to protecting the rights and wellbeing of older Kansans and established herself as a leader in long-term services and supports.

Throughout her remarkable career, Kathy has been recognized with numerous honors, including The John A. Hartford Foundation 2024 Trustees Award and in 2016 the Weinberg Center's Champion for Justice award for her leadership in combating elder abuse.

Kathy will attend the upcoming HCBS Conference in Baltimore (August 23-27, 2026), where colleagues and friends will have the opportunity to celebrate her extraordinary career and contributions to the field. True to form, Kathy has promised to share a dance with anyone who comes—a fitting celebration for someone who has spent decades dancing through the complex landscape of aging policy with grace, determination, and unwavering commitment to justice.

"Kathy has described elder abuse as 'a moral outrage that erodes the humanity in all of us,' and she has dedicated her career to addressing this and other challenges facing older adults," said Martha Roherty, Executive Director of ADvancing States.  "Her leadership, expertise, and passion have left an indelible mark on ADvancing States and the entire field of aging and disability services. While we will miss her tremendously, we celebrate her well-deserved retirement and the lasting impact of her work."

Download the full announcement here.