About Us

Mary joined AGS in 2021 as Executive Director of Albany Guardian Society, a dedicated leader to this 174-year-old nonprofit foundation with a mission to improve the lives of older adults and caregivers through information, education, and classes. For over 20 years Mary has worked in the community assisting older adults and caregivers. Prior to coming to AGS, Mary was a member of the prestigious team at Albany Med at the Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease. Mary is a graduate of University at Albany, School of Social Welfare, Internship in Aging Program earning an MSW. With a passion for lifelong learning, Mary serves as adjunct faculty at UAlbany and is currently in the final stage of completing her Ph.D. and serves on UAlbany Alumni Board of Directors and huge Great Dane Football fan.

Mary is the author of Alzheimer’s Through the Stages, A Caregivers Guide selling over 30,000 copies and a contributing author in the Amazon bestselling book Living Truth with Jack Canfield. Mary’s 3^rd book Sassy Longevity will be published fall 2026.

Mary continues to promote healthy aging, equity in access to services in advocating for older adults and caregivers. She is passionate about enhancing the lives of older adults and informing the practice of professionals and students through education, transformative action through innovation and collaboration.

Maddie is a project coordinator on the Albany Guardian Society team, where she helps connect older adults, caregivers, and community members with valuable resources and services. With a passion for working with the older adult population from a very young age, she is committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those she serves.

At Albany Guardian Society, Maddie strives to build lasting connections with both the individuals she serves and the professionals and organizations she works alongside.

Maddie also hopes to incorporate her love of animals into her future work, exploring opportunities to bring the companionship, connection, and joy animals can provide to older adults.

Outside of work, Maddie enjoys spending quality time with her family, friends, and her dogs and cats. She also enjoys playing soccer, running, and spending time outdoors.

Through her work, Maddie hopes to contribute to a community where older adults feel valued, supported, connected, and empowered. 

Gina joined Albany Guardian Society (AGS) in 2016 and is the Director of Operations. She is passionate about helping the aging population and loves working at AGS. She finds joy in spending quality time with her husband, daughters, and grandson and loves to unwind by vacationing in beautiful destinations like Cape Cod, Aruba and the Cayman Islands.

Jeffrey “Jeff” Watson serves as the Marketing, Communications, and Media Coordinator for Albany Guardian Society, where he leads strategic communications, marketing initiatives, media relations, and digital storytelling to advance the organization’s mission of empowering older adults, caregivers, and the community.

At Albany Guardian Society, Jeff oversees the organization’s marketing and communications efforts, including website content, social media, print publications, digital campaigns, video production, media outreach, and brand development. His passion for storytelling helps highlight the people, programs, and partnerships that make a meaningful difference in the lives of older adults and caregivers throughout the Capital Region.

Jeff is a seasoned communications professional with more than 20 years of experience spanning marketing, broadcast and print journalism, nonprofit leadership, healthcare communications, behavioral health, advocacy, and public relations. He is a native South Carolinian and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communications, with a concentration in Journalism, from Anderson University in Anderson, South Carolina. 

Janoi is a Social Welfare graduate student at the University at Albany.  She was born in Jamaica but currently live in Albany, New York. 

Janoi joined Albany Guardian Society to help aging adults with the resources they need to make their lives as comfortable as possible; this could include anything from technology-based help to empowerment and resource connection. Janoi has experience with the aging population, as she provided direct care to aging adults for a little over a year. She hopes that her unique perspective can allow her to create and maintain meaningful relationships with the clients Albany Guardian Society serves. 

Outside of work, Janoi’s favorite things to do include watching women’s basketball as well as coloring! Janoi looks forward to working with Albany Guardian Society, the clients they serve, and the community at large.