For Myechia Minter-Jordan, stepping into her new role as AARP’s CEO feels like a natural evolution of her lifelong commitment to service and advocacy. A physician by training, Minter-Jordan began her career in clinical practice, driven by a passion for helping patients. But she quickly realized her impact could be far greater.
“I loved helping my patients, but I wanted to do more,” says Minter-Jordan, 52. “I saw that improving health systems and addressing broader challenges could help reach more people and deliver better care.”
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That vision led her to leave Johns Hopkins Medicine, where she served as an attending physician and instructor, to lead Boston’s Dimock Community Health
Center. There, she worked with some of the city’s most vulnerable populations, embracing a mission of transforming health care through advocacy and community engagement.
Now, as she takes the helm of AARP, an organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older, Minter-Jordan is bringing that same passion and drive to a broader stage.
A Doctor’s Perspective on Advocacy
Minter-Jordan’s years as a physician shape how she approaches leadership. “My career has prepared me for this opportunity,” she reflects. “My parents instilled in me the importance of giving back through service to others, especially those less fortunate.”
Her work at Dimock and later as president and CEO of the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health deepened her understanding of health care inequities. She learned that health care must address not only physical and mental health but also social determinants like the environment, nutrition, and financial wellness.
“That passion for improving lives translates from my work as a physician to what I’ll now do on a much larger scale with AARP,” she explains.
Advocating for Older Americans
As she steps into her new role, Minter-Jordan is clear about her priorities: ensuring AARP remains a strong advocate for Social Security, Medicare, and family caregivers. These issues are front of mind for AARP members, particularly in the wake of an election where voters over 50 comprised more than half the electorate.
“For more than 65 years, AARP has worked with every administration and Congress to advance the priorities of older Americans,” she says. “We’ll continue to do the same now.”
Minter-Jordan also wants to challenge outdated perceptions of aging. “There’s this antiquated notion that energy and innovation are tied to youth,” she says. “But people disprove that every day. I’d love to include myself in that!”
She points to data illustrating the economic powerhouse that older adults represent. In 2018, Americans over 50 accounted for $8.3 trillion in spending — more than half of the nation’s total. By 2050, that figure is projected to grow to $26.8 trillion.
“We need to continue dispelling myths about aging through data, storytelling, and leadership,” she says.
With more than 110 million Americans over 50 today — and one in five Americans expected to be over 65 by 2030 — Minter-Jordan is also focusing on engaging younger generations. As Millennials and Gen Z step into caregiving roles and discover AARP’s resources, the organization is seeing a growing interest from younger members.
In her first 100 days, Minter-Jordan plans to listen, learn, and build on AARP’s success under former CEO Jo Ann Jenkins. “I want to understand the organization, the people, and the metrics of success,” she says. “And then, how do I evolve AARP’s strategy to continue meeting the needs of our members?”
On a personal level, Minter-Jordan is embracing this new chapter with her family by her side. “I’m a mother of two daughters, and my husband is an incredible supporter,” she shares. “We’re all excited about this new adventure in our lives.”
With her vision and experience, Myechia Minter-Jordan is poised to guide AARP into an exciting future, championing the issues that matter most to older Americans while reshaping the narrative around aging and possibility.
