Blog

Duet Announces New Board Members

Duet recently welcomed four new members to our diverse Board of Directors.

The four new additions to the Duet Board of Directors include:


Brenda Holt, Associate State Director of Community Outreach and Advocacy, AARP Arizona, Avondale resident

Brenda Holt is the Associate State Director of Community Outreach and Advocacy for AARP Arizona. She is responsible for executing national program initiatives for AARP on a local and state level. She serves on the Arizona Commission for African American Affairs, the Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging, the Attorney General’s African American Advisory Council, and its Veteran’s subcommittee. In 2019, she joined the Board of Directors for the Arizona Foundation for Women. She holds a master’s degree in organizational management from the University of Phoenix.

“AARP’s mission is to enhance the lives of people as they age, and Duet has been a strong community partner in these efforts through their focus on health and aging. By putting these two organizations together through my board participation, we can create a stronger and more vibrant age-friendly environment for the population we serve.”


Shruti Gurudanti, Co-Founder and Entrepreneur, Televeda, Scottsdale resident

Shruti Gurudanti is a lawyer, co-founder, and entrepreneur. She’s the chief executive officer and co-founder of Televeda. Televeda is the fastest growing recreation management and community platform for seniors, allowing community-based organizations nationwide to create and run their custom virtual/hybrid programs. She is a dual qualified lawyer of corporate transactions at the largest woman-run law firm in Arizona in less than six years of practice. She is also on the advisory board for St. Vincent de Paul.

“I started at Duet as a volunteer helping with grocery shopping. I loved every minute of it, and I love everything this organization stands for. I have seen firsthand the incredible value they provide to our community, and I’m honored to help grow the organization’s reach.”


Lisa Nothum, Vice President and Senior Trust Advisor, Northern Trust, Scottsdale resident

As a Senior Trust Advisor and lead relationship manager, Lisa Nothum manages complex client relationships for Northern Trust. Before coming to Northern Trust, she was a teacher in the Gila Bend Unified School District. After receiving her law degree, she took a position as an Assistant Public Defender in the Cook County Public Defender’s Office. In 1996, she joined American National Bank and Trust Company of Chicago (JPMorgan Chase) as a Trust Administrator. In the fall of 2000, she moved back to Arizona and started at Northern Trust.

“The reason I serve on the Duet board is that with everything that is going on in the world it is nice to serve in a position that can have a positive impact on our community. Doing what we can in our community can add up to big changes.”


Cheryl Plewa, Executive Director of Business Banking Sales and Strategy Support, JPMorgan Chase, Phoenix resident

Cheryl Plewa is an innovative and results-driven executive with a progressive and dynamic career at JPMorgan Chase. Through her work there, she can grow a business profitably by applying a disciplined approach to targeting customers and creating growth and retention strategies. She has a proven track record of flawless execution, ranging from systems conversions, product development, product launch, and customer service strategies. She holds a Bachelor of Science in finance from Penn State University. In her free time, she is an active parishioner at Corpus Christi Catholic Church and enjoys hiking and yoga.

“I am honored to join the Board at Duet, helping seniors in our community age with dignity while also providing resources for the caregivers and family members who support them.”

SHARE:

CAREGIVERS, Elaine Poker-Yount

To Dementia Care Partners – Stop Arguing: Focus on Winning the War not Fighting the Battles

| 11 Minute Read
Are you finding yourself stuck in the same arguments with your loved one, feeling exhausted and unheard? You’re not alone. Dementia and other age-related changes can impact how someone sees the world and responds to it. Aging and dementia care educator Elaine Poker-Yount encourages care partners to step back, reassess, and shift their mindset from controlling outcomes to fostering understanding. When you change the way you approach conversations, you reduce frustration and create a deeper emotional connection for both of you.
Read Article

CAREGIVERS, Elaine Poker-Yount

Care Partners vs. Care Givers – Why It Matters

| 13 Minute Read
Elaine Poker-Yount, Aging and Dementia Care Educator at Successful Aging AZ, challenges us to rethink our role in supporting a loved one with dementia. Are we care givers, focused on tasks, or care partners, fostering connection and autonomy? Shifting from doing things for someone to doing things with them preserves dignity, encourages engagement, and strengthens relationships. Who do you want to be in your loved one’s journey? This simple mindset shift can make all the difference.
Read Article

Blog, CAREGIVERS, SUPPORT

Piecing Together Care: A Quilter’s Journey Supporting Her Veteran Husband with Dementia

| 16 Minute Read
Quilting is more than an art—it’s an act of love. For Sandra Burson, a dedicated quilter and caregiver, stitching together fabric mirrors the way she pieces together moments of clarity and care for her husband, Greg, a Navy veteran living with vascular dementia. Through the challenges of caregiving, Sandra has found strength and support with Duet: Partners In Health & Aging. With resources like Duet’s Finding Meaning & Hope discussion series, caregivers like Sandra can find guidance, connection, and encouragement. Read more about Sandra’s journey and the vital support Duet provides
Read Article