Ms. Alson is Certified as an Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation and practices with the law firm of Anderson Elder Law, P.C. based in Media, Pennsylvania. She has been practicing in the areas of trust and estate administration, estate planning, and elder law since 2003. Ms. Alson received her juris doctor degree from Temple University, her Masters in Public Health and a Gerontology Certificate from Boston University School of Public Health, her Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers University – New Brunswick, and holds the Certified Trust and Financial Advisor designation. Ms. Alson is a member of NAELA and PAELA, is a Co-Chair of the Delaware County Bar Association Elder Law Committee, a co-Editor of the Delaware County Elder Law Handbook, a co-Editor of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Elder Law Section Newsletter, an editorial board member of NAELA News, and is a board member of the Chester County Estate Planning Council.

Leah M. Finlayson, Esq. serves as Director, Legal Services of SeniorLAW Center, an independent non-profit legal services organization that improves the lives of older Pennsylvanians and protects their legal rights through legal representation, education, and advocacy. As Director, Legal Services, she oversees SeniorLAW Center’s legal services to ensure effective and quality representation of SeniorLAW Center clients. Ms. Finlayson currently services as a Council member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Elder Law Section. Prior to joining SeniorLAW Center in 2016, she was a Managing Attorney of the Bethlehem office of North Penn Legal Services, a legal aid office representing clients in Lehigh and Northampton County, PA. She joined North Penn in 2001 and represented and advised low-income clients in various areas of law including family law, landlord-tenant, mortgage foreclosure, consumer defense and bankruptcy, unemployment, welfare, and adult and minor guardianships. Ms. Finlayson earned her law degree from City University of New York and her undergraduate degree from Temple University.

Deborah Hargett-Robinson is a Deputy Chief Counsel with the Pennsylvania Department of Aging under the Office of General Counsel. As Deputy Counsel she is responsible for advising and representing the Pennsylvania Department of Aging. In this capacity she also serves as and the Legal Assistance Developer for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Right to Know Counsel for the Department of Aging. As Legal Assistance Developer, she is responsible for developing and coordinating Pennsylvania’s Legal Services for adults aged 60 and older. As Right to Know Counsel she handles all Right to Know Law request received by the Department of Aging.  She is a native of North Carolina and began her legal career as an intern with the North Carolina Farm Workers Legal Aid. Her first job as an attorney was as a Staff Attorney with the Legal Aid Bureau in Towson Maryland where her primary focus was representing Children In Need Of Assistance. She later relocated to York Pennsylvania, where she began a solo practice specializing in Social Security Disability for 20 years. While in private practice she was often court appointed to represent Children and/or Parents in Dependency Cases as well as Juvenile Delinquency court appointments. She served as Solicitor for York County Children. and Youth Services where she represented the agency. She later served as Solicitor for York City Human Relations Commission for 4 years. Prior to joining the Department of Aging she had begun representing Veterans obtain disability benefits from the Veterans Administration as an Associate with the Law Offices of William Haynes. She is also enjoys serving as an Adjunct Professor of Administrative Law at Harrisburg Area Community {HACC} College.  She earned her J.D. from North Carolina Central School of Law and received her B.A. in Political Science from University of North Carolina @ Greensboro. She has been married to her husband Damon Robinson for several years and they have a daughter and a son. 

Kate is a widowed, very busy person in the second act of her life. After falling victim to a romance scam, she has become a warrior in educating folks on how this feels from the victim’s side. Kate has shared her experiences with a variety of groups across the country, including speaking to the U.S. Senate on the invitation of Senator Robert Casey, Chairman on the Senate Committee on Aging, and recently at the White House. She has been interviewed by a number of TV stations, periodicals and newspapers, including the NY Times and has appeared on Good Morning America and The Tamron Hall Show. Kate also rescues hospice dogs and literally loves them to death by providing whatever medical care will keep them comfortable and all the love and pampering they can manage.

Dr. Charlene Lane is a seasoned professional in the field of social work who is a licensed clinical social worker in both the states of New York and Pennsylvania. She brings a wealth of experience from both clinical and administrative roles with over 19 years of experience. Dr. Lane has made significant contributions in various capacities. Currently, she serves as the Bureau Director of Older Adult Protective Services, following a career that includes, Director of Social Work at a 240-bed nursing facility in New York. Director of Senior Services at Catholic Charities in Long Island, New York. As well as A full-time professor teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in social work research and gerontological studies. Dr. Lane’s research has spanned various critical areas, including, older adults aging in place in prison. The role and impact of naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs); as well as challenging and dispelling myths related to geriatric mental health. Dr. Lane’s extensive background reflects a deep commitment to advancing social work practices and improving the quality of life for older adults.

Caroline Burnell is the Director of the Institute on Protective Services at Temple University Harrisburg. In this role, Caroline manages the contract with the Pennsylvania Department of Aging that provides training to all new adult and older adult protective services workers within Pennsylvania, continuing education to seasoned staff, and case consultation services. Caroline also provides training to law enforcement and other community partners, and serves as a forensic account. Prior to joining the Institute, she spent over 25 years conducting audits and financial fraud investigations including consulting to the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Caroline is a Certified Fraud Examiner. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from Dickinson College and a Master of Science in Fraud and Forensics from Carlow University.