Donna Benton, PhD, is a Research Associate Professor of Gerontology at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. She received her graduate training in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology and was a gero-psychological postdoctoral fellow at USC/Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center. Benton is the Director of the USC Family Caregiver Support Center (FCSC) and the Los Angeles Caregiver Resource Center (LACRC). She has over 30 years of experience in providing direct service, advocacy and programs for families caring for persons with dementia. She was appointed to the CA Master Plan for Aging Stakeholder Advisory Commission and the CA Commission on Aging (CCOA). Her research focus is on the development of online evidence-based interventions for family caregivers to improve mental and physical health and well being and prevention of elder mistreatment. She also serves as a mentor to students interested in advocacy for caregivers.
Dr. Adriene “Lexy” Davis, Ed.D. is an award-winning workforce strategist, public appointee, and nonprofit leader with more than 25 years of experience advancing workforce, education, and economic development systems across California. She currently serves as Commissioner for the California Commission on Aging and Treasurer and Board Member for the California Foundation on Aging, where she helps advance initiatives that support the health, economic security, dignity, and well-being of older adults statewide.
Dr. Davis is the Founder and CEO of the Intermediary Development Corporation and Executive Director of the Southern California Apprenticeship Network (SCAN), leading cross-sector partnerships that expand workforce pathways, registered apprenticeships, and economic mobility opportunities. A recognized advocate for age-inclusive workforce strategies, she is passionate about helping older adults remain engaged, purposeful, and economically secure through lifelong learning, reskilling, entrepreneurship, and meaningful community connection.
