Cynthia Stuen

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT, NORTH AMERICA

Dr Cynthia Stuen is the Main Representative to the United Nations on behalf of the IFA. She is currently the Chair of the NGO Committee on Ageing (New York), having served as vice chair from 2015-2019. She was co-chair of the International Day of Older Persons 2015 event at the UN, and also covers the issues of the NGO Committee on the Status of Women.

Dr Stuen served in various capacities at Lighthouse International during her 24-year tenure. Her last position was as Senior Vice President, Chief Professional Affairs Officer that involved advocating for older adults at the national, state, and local level while also maintaining involvement in international efforts to preserve sight and prevent excess disability resulting from vision impairment.

Dr Stuen is a Past Chair of the American Society on Aging (ASA), the largest organization of professionals in the field of ageing in the US. She is a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America and also the NY Academy of Medicine. She is a past chair of the State Society on Aging of New York. Her entire professional career has been in the field of ageing. Dr Stuen chaired the NASW Specialty Practice on Aging 2003-2005 and recently served on the NASW Task Force to develop practice guidelines for caregivers of older adults.

Her numerous publications, presentations and research endeavors cover topics of age-related sensory loss, evidence-based electronic records, access to environments for older adults with impaired vision, and contributions older adults and their family and friends can make to program planning and service delivery.

Other current activities include serving as a Vice President of the Board of Directors of VISIONS Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired; and as a member of the Columbia University Alumni Trustee Nominating Committee.

Dr Stuen received her bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso University, her master’s degree from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration and her doctorate from Columbia University School of Social Work.