SAGE, the nation’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ elders, has welcomed Bruce J. Lederman and Elliott R. Sernel to its national Board of Directors. These esteemed members bring with them decades of insight and experience that will help elevate SAGE’s work on behalf of LGBTQ+ elders on a national level as it enters its 40th year.
Bruce J. Lederman has been an eldercare executive and thought leader for more than 25 years. Currently, Bruce is President and CEO of Charles E. Smith Life Communities (CELSC) in Rockville, Md., one the nation’s largest single-site providers of eldercare services. Prior to joining CESLC, Bruce served as Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer for Midwest Administrative Services, Inc., a nursing home management company that operated nursing facilities in Illinois and Missouri. He has also owned and operated nursing homes and has served as the nursing home administrator in one of his centers.
In addition to his professional career, Bruce has held leadership roles in numerous organizations, including Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, CJE SeniorLife, Human Rights Campaign, Jewish Federations of North America, Leadership Greater Chicago, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, and the Health Facilities Association of Maryland. A licensed attorney and a member of the American Health Lawyers Association, Bruce lives in Rockville, Md.
“I am honored to join this group of leaders who are committed to making a positive impact in the lives of LGBTQ+ older adults,” Jim says. “It is a privilege to be able to contribute my professional experience to advance SAGE’s mission to achieve a high quality life for LGBTQ+ older Americans.”
After finishing law school and clerking on the 9th Circuit US Court of Appeals, Elliott R. Sernel spent his legal career at the South Coast Air Quality Management District in California, where he retired as Deputy District Counsel. While there, he was responsible for both civil and criminal prosecutions of environmental cases. After retiring, he served for seven years on the Board of Directors of Lambda Legal and remains active in the organization. Additionally, Elliott currently serves on the Board of the Center Theater Group, which operates three theaters in Los Angeles and is one of the largest not-for-profit theater groups in the country. Elliott and his partner, Larry Falconio, divide their time between homes in Palm Springs, Los Angeles and New York City.
“I have always felt it important to give back, and as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I have seen the inequities which we have faced,” Elliott says. “In today’s political climate, being involved is more important than ever, and people, both within and outside of our community, must be aware of the discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ elders – those who paved the way for achieving many of our rights and visibility, and yet have become marginalized and alienated. SAGE’s work is essential in providing those services to our elders and is instrumental in ensuring our LGBTQ+ elder visibility.”
“We are excited to bring the exceptional talents of Bruce and Elliott to the SAGE Board of Directors,” says Michael Adams, SAGE CEO. “Their unique knowledge and experiences will help empower LGBTQ+ elders across the United States.”
