About GOLD
access and ability.
GOLD is a North Carolina 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We help organizations solve digital adoption and trust gaps with older adults, through hands-on programs in digital health, scam prevention, and AI literacy.
Our Mission
We do this by helping organizations solve digital adoption and trust gaps with older adults, through hands-on programs in digital health, scam prevention, and AI literacy.
Access ≠ Ability.
GOLD was born from a simple truth: access doesn't equal ability.
In 2025, our co-founders watched the people they loved most struggle with the digital systems shaping daily life: patient portals they couldn't access, scam calls they couldn't always spot, technology that felt designed for someone else. They knew there had to be a better way.
Today, GOLD has reached 7,000+ older adults across 15 states. We deliver hands-on digital literacy through residential communities, senior centers, libraries, faith communities, and health systems, built around the way older adults actually learn.
What hands-on learning makes possible.
92%
Report increased confidence using technology
90%
Feel safer and more prepared to handle scams
35%
Gain first-time access to their patient portal
7 in 10
Use conversational AI after attending an AI literacy class
Three pillars built around what older adults actually need today.
Helping older adults navigate patient portals like MyChart, telehealth, and online health tools, so they can manage their health with confidence.
In collaboration with Epic.
GOLD's S.C.A.M. framework (Stop, Confirm, Avoid sharing personal information, Make a report) gives older adults a memorable decision tool they can use in the moment a scam happens.
Teaching older adults what AI is, how it works, and how to use it on their own terms, replacing fear with practical, everyday confidence.
The people guiding GOLD's mission and daily work.
Co-Founder & Executive Director
RJ has dedicated his career to helping people feel stronger, more confident, and more connected, both physically and digitally. As the co-founder and Executive Director of GOLD, he brings warmth, leadership, and a deep commitment to helping older adults embrace technology without fear. RJ believes that with the right support, anyone can build the skills and the confidence to stay connected and independent at any age.
Board Member — Health Strategy & Innovation
Former CEO/President of academic faculty practice and Chair of emergency medicine
Dr. Azita Hamedani is a physician executive specializing in emergency medicine, physician practice, and AI-enabled health technology. As a healthcare leader in academic medicine for over 20 years, Dr. Hamedani has grown clinical programs, including ones focused on geriatric care, by recruiting and mentoring healthcare leaders. In addition, she has led numerous change management initiatives focused on clinical operations, patient and provider experience, and approach to funds flow in academic medicine. Her expertise will serve as a valuable bridge between GOLD's programs and evolving opportunities to improve the health of our growing aging population.
Board Member, Advisory Board Chair
Founder & Principal Consultant — Zajac Business Alignment
Lynne Zajac is the Founder & Principal Consultant of Zajac Business Alignment, where she helps organizations turn vision into action by aligning people, processes, and technology to improve execution and drive meaningful results. She brings more than 20 years of experience leading business transformation, process improvement, strategic initiatives, and organizational change across healthcare, financial services, telecommunications, and energy.
Building on her experience founding Optimal AccessAbility, an aging-in-place consulting business supporting older adults and caregivers, Lynne developed a strong passion for serving the senior industry. Today, she combines that perspective with her transformation expertise to help organizations create meaningful impact for older adults and their communities.
Through her role with GOLD, Lynne combines her business transformation background, senior industry perspective, and facilitation skills to help guide strategy and expand opportunities that increase confidence, access, and independence through technology.
Treasurer
Ava Campbell is a junior at the University of North Carolina, where she is studying business. As Treasurer of GOLD, she helps steward the organization's finances, working to ensure that resources are managed with care and directed toward the mission of helping older adults build digital confidence. She brings energy, a sharp eye for detail, and a steady commitment to making every dollar count for the people GOLD serves.
Secretary
Ronda Howell is a retired healthcare worker who has spent her career caring for older adults. As Secretary of GOLD, she supports the board's governance and record-keeping while grounding the organization's work in firsthand understanding of the people it serves. Her years of hands-on experience bring compassion and practical insight to GOLD's mission of replacing fear and confusion with confidence and capability.
Senior leaders from healthcare, technology, philanthropy, accessibility, and finance, guiding how GOLD scales with rigor.
SVP and Chief Medical Officer of Oncology
Evolent Health
Dr. Vishnukamal Golla is a physician executive and healthcare leader specializing in oncology, value-based care, and health policy. As SVP and Chief Medical Officer of Oncology at Evolent Health, he leads innovative care models designed to improve outcomes, expand access, and drive greater value across complex healthcare systems.
Vice President of Clinical Applications
Memorial Hermann Health System
Oliver Galicki is a healthcare technology executive specializing in large-scale clinical systems and enterprise integration. As Vice President of Clinical Applications at Memorial Hermann Health System, he leads technology strategy and operations across multiple clinical service lines. He has overseen system-wide integrations spanning 15 hospitals and more than 270 sites of care, and previously led a $700 million Epic implementation, one of the largest in the country. His expertise helps ensure GOLD's model aligns with how healthcare systems actually operate and scale.
Global Executive Advisor
Strategy, Governance, and Partnerships
Ajai Kumar is a global executive leader with more than 30 years of experience across enterprise technology, healthcare, and growth-stage organizations. He has held senior leadership roles and advises organizations on strategy, governance, and building high-impact partnerships that drive growth and scale. His work spans corporate, nonprofit, and private equity environments, where he supports leaders in navigating complex, multi-stakeholder systems. His experience supports GOLD in expanding strategic partnerships and building pathways for national growth.
Healthcare AI Executive & Master Inventor
Matt Nichols is a healthcare and technology executive specializing in artificial intelligence, innovation, and large-scale operational systems. He has led the development and implementation of AI-driven solutions and partnered across teams to launch new healthcare products. His background spans operations, contact center strategy, and enterprise transformation, with a focus on turning emerging technology into practical, scalable solutions. His expertise helps guide how GOLD brings AI into the real lives of older adults in ways that are practical, trustworthy, and impactful.
Vice President of Philanthropy, Major Gifts and Planned Giving
Mosaic Senior Life
Mark Dobosz is a nonprofit fundraising executive with more than 40 years of leadership experience in philanthropy, revenue strategy, and organizational growth. As Vice President of Philanthropy, Major Gifts and Planned Giving at Mosaic Senior Life, he leads fundraising strategy and donor engagement to support long-term mission sustainability.
Former Associate Director of Digital Accessibility Services
The Ohio State University
Kathryn Braidic is a digital accessibility leader with over 30 years of experience advancing inclusive technology and user-centered design. At The Ohio State University, she led accessibility initiatives that ensured technology systems were usable and effective for diverse populations. Her work focused on bridging the gap between complex digital tools and real-world users through thoughtful design, training, and implementation. Her perspective ensures GOLD's programs are not only accessible, but truly usable and intuitive for older adults.
Vice President, Financial Program Management & Strategy
Fidelity Charitable (Fidelity Investments)
Timothy Parris is a strategy and operations executive with over 20 years of experience leading large-scale initiatives across financial services and philanthropy. As Vice President of Financial Program Management & Strategy at Fidelity Charitable, he supports senior leadership in driving enterprise strategy, program execution, and organizational growth. He has led initiatives focused on customer experience, inclusion, and operational excellence at scale. His experience supports GOLD in building the operational structure needed for long-term growth and impact.
Former Head of Human Resources
Abbott Laboratories
Sarah Schmit is a senior HR executive who led workforce strategy at Abbott Laboratories, a global healthcare company. She brings deep expertise in organizational leadership, talent development, and scaling teams across complex, regulated environments.
President
Marrone Consulting, LLC
Mark Marrone is an executive leader with more than two decades of experience helping organizations navigate growth, strengthen governance, and build high-performing operations. Throughout his career, he has partnered with executive leadership and Boards of Directors to improve organizational effectiveness, manage enterprise risk, enhance strategic decision-making, and develop scalable governance frameworks across highly regulated financial services organizations. His leadership experience spans banking, wealth management, consulting, and investment management, where he has led enterprise initiatives involving strategic planning, operational excellence, technology transformation, regulatory governance, and organizational development. Mark is passionate about helping mission-driven organizations build the structure, partnerships, and long-term strategies needed to maximize their impact. His experience helps GOLD strengthen its governance, support sustainable growth, and expand its mission of improving the lives of older adults through technology education, digital confidence, and lifelong learning.
Director of State Programs
Truentity Health
Built for the way they actually learn.
Whether you want to support our mission, join a class, or partner with us, GOLD welcomes you.
