WASHINGTON, DC — The NonProfit Times recently selected AARP Chief Executive Officer Jo Ann Jenkins as the recipient of the 2015 Influencer of the Year award. She was recognized as the industry’s leading innovator for her work over the past twelve months to change the conversation around the realities of aging in America.

The Influencer of the Year award annually highlights a leader for their innovation, influence on the broader nonprofit sector and for developing organizational models that can be replicated to aid its success.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to receive this award as a testament to my unwavering leadership and AARP’s dedication to meeting the needs of older Americans,” said AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins. “This award reaffirms my confidence that AARP’s mission of positive social change and helping people 50+ improve the quality of their lives will continue to make lasting impacts.”

Jenkins leads an enterprise-wide strategy to define priorities, align processes and allocate resources in support of older Americans and their families. At the same time, Jenkins is directing the organization’s focus on three issues important to her and to America’s 50-plus population, including AARP’s membership: health security, financial resilience, and personal fulfillment or, said simply, health, wealth, and self.

Jenkins, a proven innovator, joined AARP in 2010 as president of AARP Foundation, AARP’s affiliated charity. She led that organization’s far-reaching development and social impact initiatives including Drive to End Hunger, a national effort by AARP and AARP Foundation to help the millions of older Americans who struggle with hunger every day. Under her leadership, the Foundation’s overall donor base increased by 90 percent over two years. Prior to joining AARP Foundation, she served on the board of directors of AARP Services Inc., beginning in 2004 and becoming its chair in 2008.

Jo Ann Jenkins, as well as the other executives nominated for the top 50 list, received the award at the NPT Power & Influence Top 50 Gala on September 18^th, at The National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

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 TV & Radio; 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 atwww.aarp.org.

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