WASHINGTON, DC — The A. Barry Rand (ABR) Fellows Program announces its inaugural class, dedicated to helping Life Reimagined create new tools and services for individuals undergoing life transitions as a part of the Life Reimagined Institute (LRI). Named in honor of AARP’s immediate past CEO, the program includes a diverse group of innovative, social entrepreneurs who will be charged with developing groundbreaking projects centered on next-stage innovations and transitions at the personal and organizational level. Support for the ABR Fellows Program is provided by Optum, a leading health services company and the Founding Sponsor of Life Reimagined.

“The way people are living and aging today is changing, creating more opportunities for people to pursue their goals and dreams and fulfill their life’s purpose,” said Jo Ann Jenkins, CEO of AARP.  “But in order to succeed, they need new tools and guidance to help them navigate this new stage of life.  AARP strongly supports the work of the A. Barry Rand Fellows as they develop innovative solutions to help people live with meaning and purpose.”

In collaboration with LRI thought leaders, ABR Fellows will be asked to contemplate and design for the following questions as a part of its inaugural theme, “pivoting with purpose”:

• How can individuals connect their motivations to their goals, thus creating and executing a meaningful plan of action?
• What tools and/or ideas do individuals need to lower the barriers to breakthrough thinking and concrete actions to reach their goals?
• What guideposts, along the path of decision-making, can individuals use to pivot to innovation and change?

“Pivoting in today’s new realities requires new tools, more connections, new found confidence, and a comfort with moving in a completely new direction to achieve a desired goal,” said Emilio Pardo, President of Life Reimagined. “This first group of fellows will help us to better understand how people pivot and what can help them to move towards their best life.”

LRI thought leader, Dr. Christopher Metzler Ph.D. will lead the following ABR Fellows in this program:

“I am honored to have my name associated with a program that will help people live more fulfilling lives,” said A. Barry Rand, former CEO of AARP. “I'm delighted to meet the first class of fellows and learn from them as well.”

 For more information, please visit: www.lifereimagined.org/rand

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About Life Reimagined
Life Reimagined was launched by AARP in 2014 as a personal guidance system to help people navigate transitions, pursue their goals, dreams and purpose in life. Through groundbreaking online programs and tools, and powerful live experiences, today Life Reimagined helps people discover new possibilities in life.  Begin reimagining at www.lifereimagined.org.

About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates.  The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.​

CONTACT:
AARP Media Relations, media@aarp.org, 202-434-2560