About Us

CONNECT was developed and tested by the Hopeful Aging Research team, which has over 80 years of combined dementia expertise.

John Zeisel

Dr. Zeisel serves as the President of Hopeful Aging and an internationally known expert in dementia care and treatment innovations. The author of I’m Still Here: A New Philosophy of Alzheimer Care, Dr. Zeisel, has published numerous articles on treatment alternatives that do not rely on traditional medication. His research and practice span more than three decades and have led to award-winning design and planning guidebooks, successful developments, award-winning prototype facilities, and books and articles that professionals worldwide use.

Michael Skrajner

Mr. Skrajner is the Director of Research and Innovation at Hopeful Aging. Mike oversees federally funded clinical trials of non-pharmacological interventions for dementia and has served as Principal Investigator on seven NIH-funded research studies. He also leads internal research projects for Hopeful Aging and other companies examining the impact of psychosocial interventions. Mike trains professionals and care providers worldwide in the I’m Still Here approach and has authored 11 peer-reviewed articles. He was also named a finalist for the John Hopper Leadership Award, a recognition honoring leaders and innovators working to improve the lives of older adults and their families. This recognition reflects Mike’s long-standing commitment to advancing practical, person-centered approaches that help people living with dementia remain connected, engaged, and supported with dignity.

Gregg Gorzelle

Mr. Gorzelle has extensive experience in non-pharmacological and clinical gerontological research, as well as the I’m Still Here approach. Gregg has served as Principal Investigator on six studies funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Gregg has co-authored several peer-reviewed journal articles, a manual on dementia programming, and a book chapter on the assessment of individuals with dementia. He has managed federally and privately funded grants over the past 23 years.

Drew Walker

Drew Walker has worked as a gerontological researcher for over 12 years and is a Certified Dementia Practitioner. Drew reflects Hopeful Aging's mission and consistently shows compassion in her work with participants. As a Research Assistant, she conducts data collection, data entry, and data analysis, and supports a wide range of research tasks. Drew particularly enjoys interacting with study participants. She pays close attention to personal details that reflect each participant’s character and the insights they teach her.